Electric Vehicles & Energy Storage

Widespread adoption of electric vehicles would dramatically alter our existing energy landscape and would introduce a host of new benefits and challenges, particularly to the power grid and the organizations charged with operating it. This paper examines one of the most enticing aspects of EVs' promise - their use as energy storage devices. Learn about potential EVs represent for energy storage, as well as potential obstacles standing in the way not only of these applications but of EV proliferation in general.

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Data Center Trends: DC Power, Industrial Controls and Connection to the Smart Grid

This paper will discuss tracking developments in the data center industry is similar to charting the development of the internet applications that rely on it. This is a field that barely existed as an industry in its own right just twenty years ago but in the United States alone already accounts for 1.5% of the electricity used in a given year. Power use in data centers is doubling every five years. By 2015, data centers are expected to account for more CO2 emissions than the airline industry. New installations, like the industry itself, are increasing in size and sophistication at a staggering pace, and best practices are being rewritten by the day.

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Safety Instrumented Systems:
Can they be integrated but separate?

This paper will discuss the history of the Safety Instrumented System (SIS) and a new architecture that is now available. Though separation allows for safer operations, it is not without its difficulties. Configuration of the SIS can be a tedious process with data mapping and networking considerations between the SIS and BPCS. Through a new architecture, utilizing device diagnostics through the HART protocol, that is separate but integrated, the difficulties with SIS have been reduced.

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Cyber Security in the Power and Water Industries

In this paper we show how security is still an underestimated problem and still very much a work in progress. We describe the prevailing confusion in the industry regarding the numerous different standards, and we point out a pragmatic approach that recommends actions for end users and vendors. Finally, we show a practical example of a real-world standard assessment in a European power plant.

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Supporting Systems for a Smart Grid World

This paper describes how utilities might approach these systems challenges, utilizing existing technology solutions firmly linked in to the intelligent distribution network. Asset/work manangement, network management and Mobile workforce management systems all can and should play a big role in a utility's planning, implementation and operation of of this new Smart Grid world.

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Performance-based Partnerships: Outsourcing's smarter cousin

By reading this paper you will understand the differences between a partnership and an outsource business practice, including the benefits of a partnering model. Plus, see how others have been impacted by aligning themselves with a business partner versus outsourcing.

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Bright Ideas in Arc Flash Protection

Optical arc flash protection has been available for over 15 years worldwide and has a proven track record in reducing arc flash hazards and saving lives.

This paper discusses optical arc flash protection using long optical fiber sensor technology, the benefits of this technology and documented cases of arc flash events where this protection was implemented. Also covered are test results involving retrofit applications in older air-magnetic switchgear.

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Enabling the power of wind

HVDC Light® for large-scale offshore wind integration

In general, an offshore installation requires more new electrical infrastructure per MW than a land-based wind farm. Plus, the electrical system design and installation are much more challenging because of the harsh environment and high availability requirements, as repair and replacement are generally quite expensive and weather-dependent. A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) solution overcomes many of the problems. Download the article, “Enabling the power of wind,” to learn more

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Ten Steps to Lean Electrical Controls – Reducing Waste, Improving Value

Sponsored by ABB

As manufacturing operations implement lean processes to drive down costs by focusing on the value delivered to the end customer, many questions remain.

This paper will discuss how you can leverage Lean Operations, A Lean Supply Chain, and Lean Design of your electrical panels to meet our key goals.

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Smarter grids are more efficient

Sponsored by ABB

Voltage and Var Optimization reduces energy losses and peak demands

Currently a significant amount (about 10%) of electric energy produced by power plants is lost during transmission and distribution to consumers. About 40% of this total loss occurs on the distribution network alone. A modest 10% reduction in distribution losses would save about 65 billion kWh of electricity. Download this free article to find out how.

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The Smart Grid Reliability Bulletin

Sponsored by ABB

Learn how today’s technology can optimize grid efficiency, reliability and security and see a vision of what smart grid should become tomorrow in the Smart Grid Reliability Bulletin – a report that combines three whitepapers into one informative report.

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Process Control Evolution: Five Critical Steps to Enhancing Your Performance

Sponsored by ABB

Meeting the ever changing needs of your manufacturing environment is critical to your success. To meet these needs you will have to constantly evolve your manufacturing processes and the systems that support them.

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Seven Ways Today’s Distributed Control Systems (DCS) Can Save You 20% or More

Sponsored by ABB

Many forward thinking engineers using PLC's and HMI in process or batch applications have learned there are ways to significantly reduce costs, speed implementation and improve operations. By reading this whitepaper you will learn how.

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Ten Ways Robots Enhance Lean Manufacturing Environments

Sponsored by ABB

By reading this paper you will be ahead of many of your peers in understanding how robotics can support your lean initiatives, lower your manufacturing costs and increase your flexibility.

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Unplanned Outages:
Four Keys to Assessing Risk & Prioritizing Maintenance

By The McDonnell Group. Sponsored by ABB

Four Keys to Assessing Risk & Prioritizing Maintenance

Learn how reliability-centered risk assessments, cost/benefit analyses, priority-driven condition-based maintenance, and root cause analyses strategies combine to save money, improve safety and increase a utility’s asset availability.

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REPAIR OR REPLACE?
The $64,000 (or much more) question

By The Sierra Energy Group – The Research & Analysis Division of Energy Central, Sponsored by ABB

Learn how to determine what key factors are most critical when evaluating whether it is better to continue maintaining or retire an aging asset. Plus, read about business practices and tools that help simplify the repair or replace decision making process.

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