Power-Tech Podcast

Economic and Reliability Impact of Power Quality

Power quality is one of the most challenging and exciting parts of modern utility practice. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Often quality and reliability are confused as the same thing. Today we will be discussing, how power quality is defined from a standards perspective and the implications of grid modernization on the quality of the power system.

Optimizing Load Tap Changer and Voltage Regulator Control in Distribution to Stabilize Voltage with DER Penetration

The impact of distributed energy resources (DER), specifically for solar and wind power, continues to be challenging for many utilities with increased DER penetration. Problems associated with DER include: reverse power conditions, fast and unpredictable voltage fluctuations, excessive on-load tap changer transformer (OLTT) operations, and “hunting” conflicts between OLTTs, distribution capacitor banks, and active VAR DER. In this podcast, we discuss “smart control” methodologies that help mitigate these issues—without costly communication systems—while fostering volt/VAR optimization, minimizing voltage constrained hosting barriers, and as a signal for controlling VAR and watt output.

Adopting AutoCAD Electrical for Substation P&C Design

Strategic planning is a phase that often does not get the attention it deserves when it comes to building and standardizing new design tools for the utility industry.  In this episode, we discuss how important the planning phase is for this transition, the conversations that should be had, and the considerations that should be made before any real work begins.

Power Grid Supply Chain Security: Past, Present, and Future

This episode highlights cybersecurity and supply chain risk management. Currently, supply chain is being driven by the regulatory standard NERC CIP-013 and the new executive order. This episode provides guidance and considerations when developing a program to address supply chain security.

Host: Dr. Nathan Wallace, Director & Co-Founder of GridIntel and Cybirical

Special Guest: Chris Humphreys, CEO of The Anfield Group, Former NERC Auditor

Is FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) Holding You Back From Adopting the Cloud?

This episode features a round-table discussion regarding FUD – Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - and touches on topics that may be holding entities back from adopting the Cloud.

The stage is set by framing the discussion in the context of dispelling misconceptions of Cloud FUD by simply asking the following three questions: First - Should we be replacing Fear with Facts? Second - Would it be better to be proactive and remove uncertainty by developing and implementing an action plan? Third- Can you alleviate doubt with experience and testing?

Security, Compliance, and the Cloud: Where We Are Today

This episode is the third in our continuing series regarding cloud hosted, software as a service solutions, and security considerations. Our first podcast was focused on cloud based solutions and security for power systems. In the second podcast, we discussed cloud data security (the where, who, and how). In this episode, we will take a deeper dive into where we are today with security, compliance, and the cloud.

 

Host: Dr. Nathan Wallace, Director & Co-Founder of GridIntel and Cybirical.
Special Guest: Maggy Powell, Security Assurance (Power & Utility Sector), Amazon Web Services

Cloud Data Security – The Where, Who and How

This is the second episode in a series of podcasts based on cloud-based solutions. In our previous episode, we discussed an overview of cloud solutions and security features. This episode dives a little deeper on customer engagement with the cloud and some technical aspects of cloud solutions.

Host:

Dr. Nathan Wallace, Director & Co-Founder of GridIntel and Cybirical

Special Guest:

Ranjan Banerji, Senior Partner Solutions Architect of Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Cloud Based Solutions & Security for Power Systems

Cloud computing or hosted solutions by a Cloud Services Provider or CSP are ever increasing across the utility industry landscape. Many utilities have been slow or reluctant to embrace these solutions due in part to the amount of unfounded FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, and Doubt) that has been surrounding software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.

In this episode, we will discuss cloud hosting, an overview of security and user access, and discuss some organizational considerations when implementing SaaS solutions.

Host:

• Dr. Nathan Wallace, Director & Co-Founder of GridIntel and Cybirical.

Special Guest:

• Samara Moore, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Security Assurance Senior Manager and Global Energy Specialist

*This will be the first in a series focused on this topic with each subsequent podcast taking a deeper dive into a specific area including access control, cross-server data sharing, workload use cases, and CIP compliance to name a few.

Using Technology to Predict the Future in Occupational Health & Safety

Rod Courtney (Ampirical's HSE Manager) discusses how companies within the power industry can develop a pervading culture of safety based on a commitment to safety excellence that improves safety performance, operational effectiveness, and business performance.

Emerging Trends in Grid Modernization Efforts

Over the past decade, several utilities and commissions have made investments into new technologies, tools, and techniques to modernize the electric grid. As some of these investments are reaching full implementation, there is an opportunity for other utilities and their regulators who are contemplating similar investments to learn from the experiences of the “early adopters.”
One key component of a successful grid modernization effort is customer engagement. Utilities are moving away from the “ratepayer” mindset and are seeking new ways to turn into more customer-centric organizations. More and more customers are interested in new technologies, more rate options, and access to cleaner energy choices. Utilities’ grid modernization efforts will help meet these new needs and demands from their customers.