A Special Issue on Transmission

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By Mert Korkali

The operation of modern electric transmission systems relies increasingly on the use of advanced sensing and synchronized-measurement technologies. These technologies collect and collate a wide variety of data from disperse locations to monitor the health of network, obtain fast and accurate diagnosis of systemic changes, and detect signs of anomalies and instabilities at an early stage. In view of the far-reaching blackout risk from potential damages to critical transmission-grid assets (due to severe disturbances, physical attacks, and extreme weather events), stealthy activities that compromise the operation of wide-area sensing, communication, and control systems could cripple the entire cyber-physical smart-grid infrastructure. To this end, achieving robust event identification, ensuring bulk system observability, and developing actionable intelligence (by fostering data-driven decision making under imminent threat of complex, multifaceted attacks and disruptions) remain key challenges for sustaining a resilient power grid operation.

By Fred Fletcher and Robert Schulte

What if the Bulk Electric System (BES) was repurposed, so that it could be best used to collect renewable energy over the entire continent or potentially the world and deliver such energy to Independent System Operators (ISOs) or other large regional power system operators? Developing a network to span the entire continent is a recognized approach to infrastructure architecture. The Interstate Highway System, the Internet, and natural gas pipelines span the continents and make modern society practical. These continental networks were established based on specific economic objectives and purposeful standards and methods.

By Jameson Thornton

In the late 90’s renewable energy generation was barely a blip on the map for utility companies. 10 years ago in the mid to late 2000’s renewable energy was a footnote to remember for utility companies. In some areas, particularly California, there has been a significant focus on renewable resources and their rapid growth and adoption, causing utility companies to stand and take notice. California has a state legislated mandate to meet at least 50% of energy procurement from renewable-eligible resources by 2030. In light of this, utilities in California are looking for the optimal route to meet a balance among goals for a reliable, affordable, and clean energy portfolio. In the last 5 years wind and solar PV have been the major players in the renewable space. Recently though we have seen how much of an impact DERs have in our transmission planning models.

By Mehrdad Boloorchi

The basic purpose of the smart grid, as an evolving concept, is to regulate the behavior and the actions of the consumers connected to it. Smart meter is the main tool that is supposed to enable the consumers to individually control and manage their consumption patterns, and is supposed to result in efficient use of electric energy and other resources. This change is expected to improve the power plant load factors, therefore reducing the carbon footprint, as well as improving the available transfer capability of the transmission system.


Past Issues

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IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin Compendium

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