June 2015

ABB Power Update North America

Balancing risk, reliability, and safety at plants slated for retirement

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that 61 GW of coal-fired capacity would retire by 2020. And coal is not alone. The EIA projects that substantial amounts of nuclear generation will retire after 2030. Many of these plants are owned and operated by smaller utilities that may have no institutional experience with retiring a power plant. Far from representing a reduction in work and management, selecting a plant for retirement creates a whole new set of challenges on top of existing day-to-day concerns. Maintaining safe and reliable generation requires strong leadership, clear communications, and heightened attention to operations and maintenance, staff morale, and post-shutdown plans. >> Discover why it’s not simply a matter of shutting down the boilers on the last day of operations.

Physical Security

Your physical security system is missing a crucial element

Utilities are losing millions of dollars from assaults on substations and other critical utility infrastructure. Equipment damage, material and equipment theft, as well as fines and lost revenue from power outages, are affecting utility reliability and safety. Luckily, technology can be a significant factor in minimizing or deterring threats. 24/7 centralized monitoring utilizing multi-application communication provides early awareness and visibility into incidents, enabling timely utility response. By using a wireless network for this application, utilities can reduce costs and expedite security measures. >> Learn the advantages of wireless communication in securing substations.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about physical security.

Renewable Integration

Kodiak Island goes 100% renewable electricity

As most Alaskans can attest, energy in The Last Frontier is expensive. The average residential electricity rate of more than 18 cents per kWh is a full 50% higher than the national average, ranking among the highest in the country. That’s in part because outside the 50 hydro plants throughout the state, most of Alaska’s rural communities rely on imported diesel for their electricity. But the folks of Kodiak Island (pop. 15,000) in southern Alaska—powered almost 100% with renewable energy—have a different story to tell. >> Read their story.

>> I’d like to talk with someone about renewable integration.

Transformers

NEMA urges congress to support legislation that improves electric grid resiliency

At a recent congressional hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, representatives from ABB and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) testified in favor of HR 2244, which would establish a strategic transformer reserve program. This legislation would direct the Department of Energy to produce a plan to create a strategic transformer reserve program, an idea supported by NEMA and its members as a way to bolster the United States' capacity to respond quickly to the loss of one or multiple large power transformers. Large power transformers are integral components of the nation's electric grid. >> Find out why this legislation is needed.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about transformer resiliency.

High Voltage Service

The power of training high voltage technicians

High voltage training is a worthwhile investment, particularly as the knowledge base changes within organizations. This blog post discusses the various types of training options, as well as the reasons why they are so important. >> Discover five reasons to train high voltage technicians.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about high voltage training.

White papers

Evolving the EPC model			What was the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) really driving?

Videos

ABB microgrid controls help optimize renewable integration			Utility analytics

Educational opportunities

WEBINAR: Reviving a GE Frame 5 combustion turbine June 18 WEBINARS: Protective Relay School Transformer RED TIE (Technical Information Exchange) June 25; Minneapolis, MN Maintenance practices for high voltage equipment users July 21-23; Nashville, TN		High voltage breaker service Greensburg, PA Enterprise Software Atlanta, GA Power generation Atlanta, GA, Warminster, PA and Wickliffe, OH Distribution & Transmission Protection and Control Coral Springs, FL

Events

InterSolar July 13-16; San Francisco, CA		HydroVision International July 14-17; Portland, OR

For More Information

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