Karl E. Stahlkopf

Tighter controls for busier systems [power systems]

A variety of new technologies are becoming available that will help utilities maintain power system reliability while handling the larger volume of transactions. For example, power electronic systems can provide unprecedented control over electricity flow on transmission networks, preventing or containing cascading disturbances. In addition, new sensor technology, faster communications between control centers, and advanced software tools can enable utilities to monitor system conditions in real time, letting them respond more quickly to disturbances and minimize their impact. Over the next decade, these technologies will facilitate increased power transfers through power delivery systems that are presently constrained, providing power at lower cost to a greater number of customers. It is a question of how to optimize power flow through an entire network by integrating multiple technologies and coordinating control over wide areas. Such integration and coordination will be necessary for deregulation to proceed smoothly toward its twin goals: reducing electricity costs to US consumers, while maintaining the high levels of reliability they have come to expect. The authors discuss the following technologies to help achieve these goals including: flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), the next generation of FACTS controllers, hierarchical control of FACTS, on-line power systems analysis, control centre communications, and wide area measurement system.

Technology offers solutions to the current power crisis

The rolling blackouts and soaring prices now besetting Californias electric system are only the first and most visible signs of deeper problems affecting the US grid. Among them are neglect of the nations electrical infrastructure, poorly structured electricity markets, and a lack of incentives for new investment. Ultimately, most of these problems spring from a lack of understanding of the power systems unique nature and technical complexity, resulting in a hodgepodge of policies that ignores both technological and economic reality. Fortunately, a variety of new technologies are available to help resolve these fundamental issues in a cost effective, expeditious manner. The most effective short-term step that can be taken to ease the California crisis and help prevent its spread is to improve load management. Electricity customers need to be given incentives to conserve energy when it would do the most good from a power market standpoint. Other technologies can be applied on the supply side in the medium-to-long term including fossil plant upgrades and application of FACTS devices.

Keeping up: technological challenges in power delivery

estructuring of the American electric utility industry has R created major technological challenges for power delivery systems. I would like to discuss these challenges in the context of four “megatrends” now shaping the future of power delivery. Increasing bulk power transfers are beginning to strain the capacity of existing networks. The technological challenge here concerns how to raise capacity of specific rights-of-way while improving overall network stability. Emphasis on cost reduction has cut operation and maintenance (O&M) budgets to the point that system performance is threatened in some areas. New technology can help lower O&M costs while maintaining reliability. Despite initial optimism, retail competition is proceeding more slowly than anticipated. The technological challenge for energy providers is to stimulate the growth of retail markets by offering additional innovative services. Distributed resources (DR) represent the “wild card” in planning the future of power delivery. New technologies can help integrate DR units into the existing power delivery infrastructure in ways that can lower costs and improve reliability.

The Second Silicon Revolution

A new generation of high-power electronic controllers has begun revolutionizing the transmission and distribution of electricity and improving the quality of power delivered to utility customers.

The Industry/EPRI Advanced Light Water Reactor Program

For the United States nuclear power industry to remain viable, it must be prepared to meet the expected need for new generating capacity in the late 1990s with an improved reactor system. The best hope of meeting this requirement is with evolutionary changes in current LWR systems through system simplification and reevaluation of safety and operational design margins. The grid characteristics and the difficulty in raising capital for large projects indicate that smaller light water reactors (400 to 600 MWe) may play an important role the next generation.