Utility
Proven Solutions for Improving the Electrical Grid
Utilities today are facing new pressures brought on by a combination of load growth, the introduction of competition, and insistent customer demands for improved power quality and reliability. Current efforts aimed at deregulating the transmission and distribution of electricity and the higher power quality requirements of our growing digital economy are encouraging utilities to quickly react to changing market conditions and offer new solutions to their customers.
The backbone of many countries' electrical infrastructure, the transmission and distribution network, or grid, is suffering from decades of under investment and neglect. As a result, the grid can be subject to the following kinds of problems for which AMSC has solutions:
Voltage Instability - uncontrolled rapid decline in system voltage or slow uncontrolled voltage decline.
Voltage stability problems can be caused by a sudden loss of generation or transmission, and may result in voltage collapse, loss of load and blackouts.
Low System Voltage - steady state system voltage that is below the established acceptable criteria
Low voltage can be caused by contingency outages during peak load or high transfer periods. Possible results include equipment damage and system collapse.
Import/Transfer Capability Restrictions - limited ability to reliably import, export, or transfer power
While line transfer capacity must often be restricted to prevent thermal overload, in many cases lines are operated below their thermal capacity to reduce stability and low voltage concerns. Significant economic penalties may result, as the maximum benefits of competition are not realized.
Capacitor Bank Switching - sudden step increases or decreases in system voltage
Switching capacitor banks on and off causes momentary changes in system voltage, and can also cause sudden malfunctions in customer control systems.
Increased Demand for Electrical Generation Capacity
Renewable energy using wind energy converters (WEC) is providing additional generation capacity worldwide. Although small compared to traditional electric generation, it is forecast to provide more than 5 percent of the worldwide electrical generation by the year 2010.
Transmission Grid Solution Products
- » D-VAR®
- » AMSC SVC
- » Fault Current Limiters
- » HTS Cable
- » Secure Super Grids™ System
- » Power Systems Engineering Services
Applications
» Wind Energy
» Secure Super Grids™ System
Related Links
- » Wind Energy
- » The Smart Grid
- » D-VAR® Systems
- » HTS Cable
- » Utility Generators
- » AMSC dSVC™ (for Distribution)
Literature
- » Power Delivery Solutions Brochure
- » Request our free Secure Super Grids™ technology white paper
- » D-VAR® Data Sheet
Next Steps…
Events
17-19 March - EnerExpo Vietnam
AMSC Attending
23-24 March - China New Energy Congress 2010
AMSC Attending
Multi-media
» President Obama discusses American Superconductor job growth during weekly radio address
» CEO Greg Yurek's Interview on FOX Business Network
» CEO Greg Yurek’s Interview on CNBC
» View an animation showing AMSC’s Wind Energy Offerings
More Multimedia »
About Us
AMSC offers an array of proprietary technologies and solutions spanning the electric power infrastructure – from generation to delivery to end use. The company is a leader in alternative energy, providing proven, megawatt-scale wind turbine designs and electrical control systems.
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