The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has unanimously approved a request filed by Invenergy to acquire Clean Line Energy Partners’ Grain Belt Express transmission project. In a 5-0 vote, the Commission determined that allowing Invenergy to acquire Grain Belt is not detrimental to the public interest. It had initially approved the project in March. “Invenergy…
ABB wins $20 million order for innovative offshore wind transformers
ABB has won an order of more than $20 million from MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to supply reliable, energy-efficient and compact WindSTAR transformers, which are designed for installation in wind turbines. Borssele III and IV comprise the second phase of the Borssele wind farm. This phase constitutes a 731 megawatt (MW) wind project in the…
World’s tallest floating wind turbines to be powered by ABB transformers
ABB has been selected to deliver its pioneering WindSTAR transformers specifically designed for floating wind turbines, to MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The transformers will be installed in each of the three turbines on WindFloat Atlantic, a floating, offshore wind farm, comprising of…
Ingeteam develops new offshore power-conversion architecture after in-depth R&D study
Ingeteam, an independent global supplier of electrical conversion and turbine control equipment, announced that a recent in-house R&D study allowed them to work out the optimal electrical power conversion designs for offshore wind turbines up to 15 MW. The research, taking into account the complex set of parameters at play in LCoE, enabled the company…
ABB launches the world’s first digitally integrated power transformer
The ABB Ability Power Transformer, unveiled at the 2018 Hanover Fair, in Germany, will be the world’s first integrated solution for digitally enabled power transformers, fundamentally changing the transformer paradigm. All power transformers leaving ABB factories will soon come enabled with digital capabilities, enabling remote monitoring and data analytics of its vital parameters in real…
ABB’s new transformer might help prevent long-term outages
The Recovery Transformer prototype is designed to replace the most common EHV transformers in the utility power fleet, a 345/138 kV autotransformer.
Berkeley Lab report calls for industry attention to ensuring grid reliability
In light of changes in how electricity is generated and consumed, Berkeley Lab has authored a new report analyzing challenges facing the nation’s electric grid and making recommendations for ensuring continued reliability.
Vaisala to bring first commercial units of its Optimus DGA Monitor for transformers online
Vaisala, a global provider of environmental and industrial measurement, is working with power utilities, maintenance providers and asset owners to bring the first commercial units of its Optimus DGA Monitor for Transformers online. In recent months, Vaisala has delivered Optimus units to various customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia. Vaisala…
Mon Power to upgrade substation to connect West Virginia wind farm
Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is upgrading a transmission substation near Thomas, West Virginia., to help connect a new wind farm to the regional electric grid. The work also is expected to enhance electric service to Mon Power customers in the area. The centerpiece of the $2.2 million substation project is installing a new 138-kilovolt (kV)…
DNV GL opens world’s first ultra-high voltage testing facility for super grid components
DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, officially opened its expanded and upgraded KEMA High-Power Laboratory (HPL). Following a 70 million Euro investment, the newly extended test lab is the world’s first – and currently only – facility capable of testing ultra-high voltage (UHV) electrical grid components. The new lab…
Online transformer monitoring needed to meet Asia’s rapid spread of rural electrification
Vaisala, a global provider of environmental and industrial measurement, has highlighted how continuous online transformer monitoring will play a key role in the future maintenance and servicing of transformer fleets across Asia, as electrification and reliable grid access spreads to the continent’s rural population. Faced with increasing demand for access to electricity, especially in rural…
New model FCR Relay Class, Revenue Grade Split-Core Current Transformer from FLEX-CORE
The company is a provider of transformers, transducers, switches, relays, signal conditioners/converters, meters, and accessories.
Vaisala assesses causes & costs of avoidable catastrophic transformer failure
Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, has studied recently released data by CIGRE – the international council on large electric systems – to reveal the most significant risks of transformer failure and the leading causes of downtime. CIGRE data shows that almost 50% of failures resulting in downtime originate in transformer windings, with…
AMSC announces $8.0 million in D-VAR system orders in U.S., UK, Australia, and Jordan
AMSC, a global energy solutions provider serving wind and power grid industry leaders, recently announced four new D-VAR STATCOM system orders valued at about $8 million.
ABB unveils new TXtreme distribution transformer for harsh environments
ABB has launched a new longer-life distribution transformer called TXtreme, featuring a special coating that protects the transformer from corrosion in the most severe environments. Distribution transformers are key assets in power transmission and distribution networks, and are currently designed to operate 20 to 30 years. However, harsh operating conditions containing salt, moisture, or chemicals can…
ABB launches industry-leading digital equipment
With the recent commercial launch of more than 180 solutions and services, ABB is unlocking value for customers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
ABB launches world’s first digital distribution transformer
ABB announced the launch of the world’s first digital distribution transformer at its ABB Customer World event in Houston, Texas. Integrated sensing and monitoring technology in ABB’s new TXpert transformer will provide intelligence to maximize reliability, optimize operating and maintenance costs, and manage the asset more efficiently. This latest innovation builds on the ABB Ability…
Vaisala’s MHT410 boosts efficiencies in transformer condition assessment
MHT410, for instance, quickly delivers accurate hydrogen and moisture data directly from transformer oil.
Safely managing electrical power assets at wind farms
By Kerry Heid, President & CEO Shermco Industries This article is part of Windpower Engineering & Development’s February 2017 issue. A complete digital version of the issue is here. A few years ago, the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA — an organization that offers standards and accreditation of third-party electrical testing) conducted a study that showed 23%…
Vaisala study shows real-time transformer monitoring essential to avoid blackouts
In 2003, the worst blackout in U.S. history affected 50 million people and cost $6bn in damage. According to the DOE, power failures cost American businesses up to $150 billion per year. And what’s contributing to these blackouts and power failures? When left unchecked, moisture and dissolved gasses within aging power infrastructure leave the country…