Electrical Substations

Substation Automation

The Role of Renewable Energy in the Smart Grid: Transforming Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into smart grid systems represents a fundamental shift in how energy is generated, managed, and consumed. This transformation is vital for modernizing energy infrastructure, enhancing grid reliability, and fostering sustainability. The shift from a...

Lightning Protection

Lightning Strikes

In Canada, lightning flashes occur about 2.34 million times a year; with the highest levels of concentration during the summer months. While most lightning on earth is ground-to-cloud, recent research has identified that the majority of lightning events to tall structures, such as wind...

Breakers & Relays

Gas-insulated Switchgear Options for Substations

Switching gears in the underground BY PETR RUDENKO AND PETER GLAUBITZ, Siemens As demand for energy continues to rise, an increased number of locations around the world require suitable energy solutions that fulfill unique demands. Cities are growing, and so is the demand for power. Urban areas...

Physical Security & Monitoring

Critter Guard

Distinctly DifferentAccording to the American Public Power Association, squirrels are among the top causes of power outages across the United States. The Great Lakes region has squirrels as the #1 cause of sustained outages. And in many cases, bird related outages are at number two.Nobody likes to...

Substation Testing & Maintenance

Latest Power Outage Statistics and Causes Tracker

As the world’s technological landscape continues to grow and the demand for electricity increases, so too do the occurrences of power outages. Check out Critter Guard’s curated list where we track power outages statistics and data below or check out our power outages infographic. Power...

Substation Protection

Cybersecurity in Modern Substations: Protecting the Grid from Emerging Threats

As substations become more interconnected and automated, they are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. These critical nodes of the power grid are essential for ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply, making their protection paramount. Strengthening substation automation controls is key to...

Home Transformation Electrical Substations

Integrated Security Operations Centers (ISOC)

The watchdog of electrical assets

BY RALPH KING, Electric Power Research Institute

Security operations centers (SOCs) are common in corporate information technology (IT), physical security, and industrial control environments. Many organizations have one or more of these individual SOCs responsible for defined physical regions or business functions. SOC capabilities range from providing basic environment or equipment status indicators to operating complex information gathering, analysis, alerting, and coordinating event responses.

However, as the quantity and...