Power-Tech Podcast

Ampirical has mentored and trained several engineering groups in AutoCAD Electrical and SDS toolkit applications over the last five years. Throughout that time, we’ve learned a lot of the “dos” and “don’ts” of integration and implementation that are worth sharing in this episode. Multiple considerations must be analyzed, such as relationships, team building, initial software training, discovery phase, planning phase, application phase, pilot selection, library creation, design standards selection, and project integration examination.

In this episode of the Power-Tech Podcast, Cybirical and GridIntel software engineer Jack Mertens discusses the Transmission & Distribution Toolbox, a solution to automating the engineering design, verification, and validation process. One of the most popular widgets of this web-based suite of tools is the Pole Configuration Summary (PCS) module, which generates PDF formatted reports for all poles in a PLS-CADD model. These reports can then be stamped and submitted for compliance. Other pla…

This is the fourth and final episode in a series highlighting our previously recorded webinar entitled: Protection & Control Automation: 2021 and Beyond.” In the previous episodes, our panelists discussed the most significant challenge the electric utility industry faces over the next decade, where they believe the industry is related to the acceptance of cloud computing as a technology platform for protection & control automation, and the overall impact of IEC 61850 on the digitalization of the electric power grid and its protection, automation, and control.

In this final installment, our panelists answer a few audience questions from the roundtable webinar and offer further insight.

This is the third episode in a series highlighting our previously recorded webinar entitled: “Protection & Control Automation: 2021 and Beyond.” In the first and second sessions, our panelists discussed the most significant challenge the electric utility industry faces over the next decade and where they believe the industry is related to the acceptance of cloud computing as a technology platform for protection & control automation. In this third session, our panelists discuss the impact of IEC 61850 on the digitalization of the electric power grid and its protection, automation, and control.

This is the second episode in a series highlighting our previously recorded webinar entitled: “Protection & Control Automation: 2021 and Beyond.” In the first session, our panelists discussed the most significant challenge the electric utility industry faces over the next decade related to protection & control automation. In this session, our panelists discuss where they believe the industry is related to the acceptance of cloud computing as a technology platform for protection & control.

This episode begins a series highlighting our previously recorded webinar entitled: “Protection & Control Automation: 2021 and Beyond.” In this first session, our panelists discuss challenges the electric utility industry faces over the next decade as it relates to protection & control automation.

Take a moment to think of all the aspects of the grid that are currently microprocessor-driven. Not only relays and RTUs in a control house or SCADA center, but also pole-top reclosers, battery banks, transformer monitors, microgrid controllers, and of course the familiar smart meter. The list goes on and is ever-growing. Where there are microprocessors, there is computer code controlling them, and so the electricity grid is steadily becoming an ideal place to stake a career in software engineering.

This episode provides an independent view of the engineering process from a professional service provider who is not an engineer. This is a valuable perspective because, while it shares a similar background with engineering, architecture often invokes a more human feel to its processes. This can offer a higher level of focus on customer-oriented goals rather than simply the design specifications.

Aligning an engineering firm's core values and culture with a client’s stated goals and anticipated outcomes can lead to more than just project success. It allows the work to achieve goals beyond just the design and construction of a physical asset. Working to understand those goals can position a firm in a specialized light compared to its industry peers.

The power grid of today is experiencing uses and applications that were envisioned as the grid was originally designed and built over the course of the last century. Due to new technologies and the generation/use of electricity, we need new ideas on how to design/operate the grid to optimize its benefits to society. Some of these new ideas center around what might be the essence of grid infrastructure and maximizing the ability of the grid to transfer power.

Guest: Michael Longoria, Senior Director of Customer Solutions, Smart Wires

The utility industry for the most part has not had many changes for decades when it comes to engineering and information provided to build transmission and distribution lines. Most lines have a life cycle of 40-50 years with regular maintenance. The issues arise due to the lack of record-keeping and red line drawings to capture changes made during its life cycle.

To confront these challenges successfully, the industry must go through a change in mindset to use the latest technologies hardly used in our industry. The use of electronic IFC packages, along with cloud servers and tablets, can make a big difference to increase efficiency.