Power problems in New York

[EEJaime]

This article discusses the current condition in NYC with triple digit temperatures hovering about for about 5 days. I wonder if one of you utility gents can answer a question that arises from a statement in the article where a substation manager requests "...a 4kV generator...". Is this the typical ignorant reporter misquoting someone? Or is there a method to temporarily boost voltage on the grid using a portable generator of some kind? Sounds like quite a piece of equipment.

I am aware of utilities using RC systems to shut down or cycle power to customers whom sign up for the "brown-out box", where for a favorable rate one volunteers to enable the utility to cut power in times of high peak demands. But this articles states that Carrier, a controls/HVAC manufacturer does this through a programmable thermostat which is centrally controlled, which cycles the AC every 30 minutes. Wasn't aware of that one.

Thought this article was interesting.

Thank you and regards,
EEJaime

 

[davidbeach]

If you have a 4kV bus that needs support, what's wrong with asking for a 4kV generator?

 

[EEJaime]

Of course, but I guess what threw me off in the phrasing was that the reporter states: "That was Anthony Suozzo, a general manager of electric operations, asking for four kilovolts; " It just read strangely.
Regards,
EEJaime

 

[dpc]

ConEd has equipment, installations, and standards that are probably unique to them, at least in the US.

I can see using a local 4160 V generator at a substation to reduce transformer load or in the event of a transformer failure.

Reporters can be pretty clueless about anything technical. But we have fewer and fewer of them to worry about.

David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[EEJaime]

I agree about the reporters. I was reading a thread on the engineering language/grammer forum earlier about the importance in communication skills. While every day print and online media demonstrate a profound lack of discipline, editing and basic language skills. I know that engineering language both spoken and written are somewhat different than normal prose, but I have always thought it important.

Has anyone run into the HVAC load shedding scheme described in the article?

Regards,
EEJaime

 

[jfpe]

When I lived in Northern NJ, the utility had a similar residential HVAC load shedding scheme. The utility paid the homeowner a small monthly fee in exchange for the right to cycle the customer's AC off in periods of high demand.
-John

 

[cranky108]

Isen't the so called smart grid all about residential load shedding? If so these devices are here already.

 

[EEJaime]

I believe that areas that have already converted to the "smart grid" type remotely monitored residential metering systems can do just that and many already do. I was just unaware that there were also systems in existance that are implemented by vendors such as Carrier.