The IEEE PES T&D Conference in Anaheim, CA, was a whirlwind of industry insights and discussions on the cutting edge of power transmission and distribution. While the focus here is decidedly on primary technology compared to Distributech's emphasis on secondary systems, there were several key takeaways that resonated with me:
My key takeaways
- Digitalization Lag in Secondary Systems: The digital transformation of secondary substations in the US seems to lag behind other regions like Europe. This presents a significant opportunity for advancement.
- Digitalization as the Key to Energy Transition: There's a strong consensus that digitalization is essential for a successful energy transition. This paves the way for exciting developments.
- Straight to Virtualized Substations (vPAC): The industry might be bypassing “conventional digital” substations and heading straight for vPAC solutions. This is a significant leap forward.
vPAC Taking Center Stage
Me, as a member of the vPAC Alliance Steering Committee, I was impressed by the panel discussion featuring ABB, Black & Veatch, Salt River Project and Intel Corporation. These industry leaders are actively driving vPAC adoption. While Siemens, GE, and Siemens Energy haven't released virtual protection products yet, ABB's SSC600 solution is already available.
Dinesh Baradi from ABB's Take on Virtualization: Dinesh's presentation provided a great foundation for understanding virtualization's role in transforming the power industry. Digital substations are crucial for the energy transition, alongside the need for additional transmission and distribution lines. It's great to see education efforts around vPAC.
Black & Veatch Dinner
A fantastic networking event with a stunning view of Disneyland! Thanks to Kevin Ludwig for the invite.
Testing in Digital Substations and vPAC Systems
Discussing vPAC testing and cybersecurity with Fred Steinhauser and Eugenio Carvalheira from Omicron Energy was a valuable exchange. After successful Webinars from Welotec and OMICRON electronics about Cyber Security and vPAC we are planning more to come.
Open Source and the Linux Foundation Energy (LF Energy)
Alex Thornton presentation on open source and the LF Energy was a highlight. His point about every grid stakeholder needing an open-source strategy resonated deeply. Here's why open source is compelling:
- Shared R&D lowers costs and speeds up innovation
- Modular approaches promote interoperability
- Thriving communities ensure long-term maintainability
The LF Energy Project SEAPATH
This project is particularly interesting with its potential for virtualized protection, automation, and control applications (vPAC) on an industrial-grade real-time platform. More Information: https://lfenergy.org/projects/seapath/
I hope this glimpse into the IEEE PES T&D inspires you to explore the future of power grids. Let's keep the conversation going!
