Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and Trends

Illuminating Decisions: EPRI Lights the Way for Modern Lighting Adoption

Facility managers and operators understand the critical role lighting plays in their daily operations. Accounting for roughly 30% of a commercial building's energy load, lighting significantly impacts energy consumption and associated maintenance costs. However, focusing solely on the initial fixture cost misses a crucial aspect of responsible lighting management – the long-term perspective.

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Beyond the Sticker Price: Unveiling the True Cost of Light

Modern lighting solutions promise a...

Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

Counterfeiting Kills

Each year, the counterfeiting of well-known brands and products continues to rise, creating an even more threatening problem. Such well-known counterfeited brands, including consumer safety and critical electrical products, are estimated to be five to seven percent of world trade. The International...

Featured

Advanced protection against electromagnetic exposures and electric arc

HAZARDS AROUND While working live in the energized grid, presence of voltage around the workers requires special attention. However, live-line (live working) techniques are widely applied for decades, several accidents in the past prove that the level of safety must be improved to minimize...

Introducing Intelligent Power Today

Welcome to Intelligent Power Today Magazine, our publication that explores and explains the who, what, where, when, why and how of intelligent electrical devices, a collection of complex mechanical devices and sophisticated control systems used in industrial, commercial, and institutional...

Electrical Protection

Generator Protection and Renewable Energy Integration

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power into the electricity grid presents unique challenges for generator protection. Traditional protection schemes, designed for conventional synchronous generators (fossil-fuel, hydro), need adaptation to accommodate the distinct characteristics of renewable energy sources. This article explores the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources from a generator protection perspective, discussing the unique characteristics of these generators and their potential impact on protection strategies.

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Unique Characteristics of Renewable Generators

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power differ significantly from conventional thermal and hydroelectric generators in their operational dynamics and electrical characteristics.

Variable Output and Intermittency

The power output from renewable sources like wind and solar is inherently variable and intermittent, depending on weather conditions. This variability poses challenges in maintaining a stable and balanced grid.

Low Inertia Contribution

Renewable energy systems, especially those...

Electrical Protection Articles

Overcurrent and Short Circuit Protection

Enhancing System Reliability

Advanced overcurrent and short circuit protection technologies are vital for the reliability and efficiency of electrical systems. These technologies have evolved significantly, offering sophisticated mechanisms to detect and isolate overcurrent conditions swiftly, thereby preventing equipment...

Generator Protection

Coordinating Protection for Generator Safety

The reliable operation of a power grid hinges on the proper functioning of its generators. Protecting these critical assets from internal faults and external disturbances is paramount. However, achieving this protection presents a complex challenge – ensuring fast fault clearing times to...

A Closer Look into the True Cost of Replacing Electrical Switchgear

During my switchgear modernization presentations all over the US, I am constantly reminded of the concerns customers face with their aging electrical infrastructure. For the most part, these center around safety, reliability and productivity: Replacements parts are very hard (or impossible) to...