Oil and gas companies and their associated utilities require strategic geospatial solutions to enhance oversight of electrical infrastructure. Integrating geographic information systems (GIS) with power system analysis software enables real-time asset visibility, improves operational safety, and supports data-driven planning. Industry studies and field implementations have demonstrated significant operational benefits, including reduced data retrieval times, improved maintenance efficiency, and enhanced system …

Within the commercial and industrial renewable energy sector, few terms have garnered more attention lately than the system label “microgrid.” This article provides an overview of microgrid fundamentals: what a microgrid is and what it can do. WHAT IS A MICROGRID? The answer depends on who is asking and answering. From our experiences, we’ll stipulate that most microgrids share these …

The energy grid is becoming more connected, intelligent, and operationally dependent on digital systems every year. As utilities modernize infrastructure, integrate distributed assets, expand remote operations, and adopt data-driven tools, cybersecurity is no longer a support function on the sidelines of grid reliability; it’s part of the reliability mission itself. In my work around operational technology (OT) cybersecurity, one thing …

With the fast-tracked planned installations of utility-scale inverter-based resource (IBR) power plants to the bulk power system, utilities, consultants, EPC contractors, and developers are all seeking methods to standardize protection and control (P&C) designs to hasten project execution. Many of these power plant designs incorporate a high-voltage (HV) section or sections, a pooling bus (PLB) section or sections, and collector bus …

If you ask five people to describe a microgrid you might get five different answers. But one universally required function that cuts across all the nuances of what can make a microgrid a microgrid is the ability to “island” from the grid while continuing to serve onsite electrical loads. Islanding is the process of disconnecting and later reconnecting to the …

New fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks are being built at a record pace. An integral part of any fiber network is the fiber jumper assemblies that help interconnect the systems, their branching devices, and fiber drops. Fiber network owners put a lot of emphasis on quality components to ensure a future-proof network with minimal maintenance and power costs that will last at …

Wind turbine, solar, and battery storage — distributed energy resources (DER) — site transformers are generally excluded from dissolved gas IEEE and IEC standards for limits. The primary reason has to do with the unusually high levels of gassing that occur due to variable loads, harmonic content, resonance issues, and other conditions that are specific to DER applications. This has …

The global shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar power, is driving the clean energy revolution. However, solar energy’s intermittent nature challenges grid stability and consistent supply. Stationary battery systems offer a crucial solution for energy storage and grid management, capturing excess solar energy during peak hours and releasing it when needed. These advanced systems smooth power fluctuations, provide backup during …

Transformer bushings are one of the most critical components of a transformer. Today, up to 22% of major failures on high-voltage transformers can be tracked back to bushings. Almost half of these failures result in catastrophic failures such as explosions, fires, or oil spills. The cost of these damages and the lost opportunity to deliver energy could be several hundred …

An Interview with Pam Stevenson, Director of Equipment Operations at TDS Equipment With rising equipment costs, tighter project timelines, and increasing compliance demands, electrical teams are seeking smarter ways to access the necessary equipment without compromising quality or exceeding their budget.  That’s why more professionals are turning to third-party equipment sourcing partners like TDS Equipment. Pam Stevenson, Director of Equipment …