• Masplantiz announces MIMTIS EMS energy management software
• EDSA introduces Paladin Gateway for power analytics
• SUBNET's SEL Relay Data Emulator simulates substation communication
• Belden introduces MACH1040 gigabit ethernet switch
• Planar announces Clarity LED video wall displays

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Wind Turbines Today
By Dataforth
For wind turbines to remain both operable and in safe condition, components must be accurately monitored and assessed while being continuously protected. Sensors are used to measure as many as 500 parameters in a modern wind turbine.

Tuning the Forgotten Loop
By Steve Rubin, Longwatch
The “forgotten loop” has been the operator, who is typically trained to “average” parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. “Advanced tuning” of the operator could yield even better outputs, with higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This paper explores the issue of improving operator actions, and a method for doing so.

Making the Smart Grid Work
By IP Huang, Advantech
IEC 61850 was developed for communications between substations, internal communications within substations, and communications between various parts of the grid and the central control system for that portion of the grid. The key benefits expected to derive from IEC 61850 are exceptional interconnectivity, using one worldwide protocol, along with easy interoperability between systems and devices from different vendors.

Energy Efficiency: How Everyone Can Generate Negawatts
By Don Frieden, Wonderware
An organization can reduce their energy consumption in two primary ways. First, they can reduce their level of production. The second is retrofitting existing assets and modifying current work processes.

Ethernet Enables The Smart Grid
By Bill Wotruba, Belden
White paper shows how Ethernet-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can be used to monitor and control power flowing into and out of the grid, and how Ethernet-based SCADA systems can be used to match power inflows and outflows to keep the grid stable.

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Echoflex releases $149 energy harvesting evaluation kit  
The kit includes building blocks for fully-integrated systems: energy generation, energy conditioning and storage, sensor power balance, low power timers and a microprocessor for OEM custom development.

SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, 4th Edition
Book by Stuart A. Boyer
This reference book offers overviews of SCADA’s component technologies, as well as details necessary to understand the big picture. After completing these 15 self-study units, readers should be conversant with SCADA nomenclature and architecture, understand the basic technology of the system’s building blocks, understand its limitations, understand how it can benefit particular operations, and have a basis for selecting appropriate SCADA technology for their operational requirements.

ABB publishes brochure on damper drives for boilers  
Eight-page color brochure from ABB Instrumentation covers damper drive solutions for improved boiler control.

IEC launches portal for global standards for Smart Grid
European Power Engineer, December 2009
With the launch of its web portal "IEC Global Standards for Smart Grid," the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) provides the basis for building safe and efficient Smart Grid projects.

ABB offers control system server backup service  
The service provides a fully domain integrated server imaging solution that enables rapid restoration of critical control system servers and clients following a disaster or computer failure.

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Steam turbine vibrations  
Energy Tech, March 2010
By Patrick J. Smith
The causes of rotating machinery vibration problems are not always obvious. The effects of pipe strain and lubrication issues for example, can be difficult to identify. This article describes an example of one of these cases.

Opting for Wireless Technology  
Power Engineering, February 2010
When Entergy Nuclear adopted Motorola wireless technology at its River Bend Nuclear Station, the company successfully modernized one of its plants and maximized performance—and saved $4 million in the process.

The Advanced Digital Fieldbus Option for Nuclear Plants  
Power, February 2010
By Jack Y. Zhao, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Digital fieldbus technologies, including Foundation fieldbus and Profibus, are increasingly being used with success in the nuclear and fossil fuel power industries. This article compares a conventional control system with a Foundation fieldbus – based digital control system used in a typical circulating water system in a nuclear power plant.

Hand In Hand: Integrating Electrical & Automation Systems  
Industrial Automation Asia, December 2009
By Peter Tubaas and Martin Stamnestro, ABB
At the StatoilHydro Snøhvit liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, the electrical control and supervision System (ECSS) communicates with a wide range of equipment and ensures a stable power supply to the LNG facility.

Farmers profit by controlling biogas  
Process and Control Today, February 2010
CC-Link fieldbus control is helping farmers extract valuable biogas from slurry to fuel cogeneration plants. The controller is a MELSEC FX3U PLC which communicates with the system’s various automation components via a CC-Link master module and standard serial ports.

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Boiler Control Systems Engineering
April 12, 2010 - April 14, 2010
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This course covers the boiler components and their purpose. ISA symbols used in boiler control, how to identify the engineering and control of boilers using these symbols, and a method of presenting the engineering.

Burner Management Systems Engineering Using NFPA Code 85 and ANSI/ISA77
April 15, 2010 - April 16, 2010
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This course covers the safe start-up, monitoring, and shut-down of multiple burner boiler furnaces. It also discusses causes of furnace explosions and the relationship of burner management systems and boiler control systems. Prior attendance at ISA ES15 Course or an understanding of boilers and boiler control is assumed.

Industrial Wireless Systems
May 10, 2010
Location: Rochester, NY, USA
This course will cover the most relevant details associated with industrial wireless systems with an emphasis towards how the various technological choices coexist, interoperate and interact with each other. Numerous examples of real-world deployments are covered for facilities such as SCADA systems, petrochemical plants, electrical power generation, and transmission systems.

Introduction to Boiler Control Systems
June 10, 2010
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
This seminar will give process control system engineers, managers, project engineers, operators, and technicians in boiler houses and power plants, a basic understanding of boiler operation and control.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Power & Energy portal.

CSB sheds light on fatal Kleen Energy explosion  
HazardEx, March 2010
The Kleen Energy accident occurred during a planned work activity to clean debris from natural gas pipes at the plant. To remove the debris, workers used natural gas at a high pressure of approximately 650 pounds per square inch. The high velocity of the natural gas flow was intended to remove any debris in the new piping.

BP must fix hazards now  
HazardEx, March 2010
An OSHA inspection has revealed more than 60 violations of safety practice at the Toledo refinery in Oregon which could cost BP more than $3 million in fines. This latest fine for BP comes just months after regulators imposed a record penalty on the company over its refinery in Texas.

Process Simulation Use Report  
Control Engineering, March 2010
By Peter Welander
Research respondents say operator training is the most important use of process simulation software. This reflects changing day-to-day operational realities.

Australia fears power rate increases  
Manufacturers’ Monthly, February 2010
By Rebekka Wake
The ongoing debate over Australia’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme has generated widespread uncertainty inside the factories of industrial Australia. According to a recent report by the state's pricing regulator, electricity prices are set to rise between 58 and 62% over the next three years.

Harris Poll finds public has little awareness of smart grid or smart meters  
Electric Light & Power, February 2010
Utility companies across the U.S. are committing billions of dollars in projects to upgrade the electric grid and install new meters in homes and businesses. Yet two thirds of Americans have never heard the term “smart grid” (68 percent) and 63 percent have not heard of smart meters.

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Scottish Power selects PAS to improve automation  
HazardEX, February 2010
Scottish Power selected PAS comprehensive alarm management and control performance software and services to improve the operations of twelve sites comprising gas-fired, coal-fired, and hydro-electric power generation stations.

Emerson to supply control valves for Westinghouse nuclear power plants  
Fisher valves will be used in the critical pressurizer spray system to help maintain reactor coolant temperature in Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear plants to be built in both China and the United States.

Rockwell Automation to make University of Iowa green  
Rockwell Software will help university staff determine optimal production levels for steam, chilled water and electricity generation to help reduce energy consumption, costs and environmental impact.

Siemens to tap Baton Rouge landfill gas  
The project will tap methane gas at the Baton Rouge landfill and deliver it to ExxonMobil and Novolyte Technologies, where it will be used to fire boilers.

ABB to refurbish power stations in Africa  
ABB will refurbish the stations that convert alternating current to direct current and back on the 560 megawatt Inga-Kolwezi power transmission link.

Browse more project news on the Power & Energy portal.

Smart Grid China Summit 2010
April 22, 2010 - April 23, 2010
Location: Beijing, China
Energy shortage and sustainable development is a common concern worldwide. How to build automatic, informationized and interactive power grid is a major challenge for each country now. Energy shortage and sustainable development is a common concern worldwide. How to build automatic, informationized and interactive power grid is a major challenge.

ABB Automation & Power World 2010
May 18, 2010 - May 20, 2010
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Automation & Power World was designed with a specific focus - to provide engineers and business leaders with a single event where they can experience and learn the latest in Automation and Power technology, and more importantly how it can benefit their business' profitability.

Siemens Industry 2010 User Conference
June 8, 2010 - June 10, 2010
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
Be a part of the 2010 Siemens User Conference. An Automation User Community event where Siemens users, partners, industry thought-leaders, and professionals come together to discuss challenges and strategies.

Air & Waste Management Association Conference & Exhibit  
June 22-25, 2010 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The 2010 Annual Conference theme is “Energy and Environment,” while the 2010 Critical Review will cover energy resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic development.

Emerson Global Users Exchange 2010
September 27, 2010 - October 1, 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
This year's conference will be a great opportunity to "Build on Your Knowledge." We're expecting another valuable and highly educational conference, as many industry leaders, educators, and experts are planning to share "what's worked for them" and to learn "what's working for others."

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I hope you enjoyed this Power & Energy update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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