Transmission reliability faces future challenges

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Electric Light and Power (Boston); (United States)

OSTI ID:7047238

Beaty, W

The recently published Washington International Energy Group's 1993 Electric Utility Outlook states that nearly one-third (31 percent) of U.S. utility executives expect reliability to decrease in the near future. Electric power system stability is crucial to reliability. Stability analysis determines whether a system will stay intact under normal operating conditions, during minor disturbances such as load fluctuations, and during major disturbances when one or more parts of the system fails. All system elements contribute to reliability or the lack of it. However, this report centers on the transmission segment of the electric system. The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) says the transmission systems as planned will be adequate over the next 10 years. However, delays in building new lines and increasing demands for transmission services are serious concerns. Reliability concerns exist in the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool and the Mid-America Interconnected Network regions where transmission facilities have not been allowed to be constructed as planned. Portions of the transmission systems in other regions are loaded at or near their limits. NERC further states that utilities must be allowed to complete planned generation and transmission as scheduled. A reliable supply of electricity also depends on adhering to established operating criteria. Factors that could complicate operations include: More interchange schedules resulting from increased transmission services. Increased line loadings in portions of the transmission systems. Proliferation of non-utility generators.

• OSTI ID: 7047238
• Journal Information: Electric Light and Power (Boston); (United States), Journal Name: Electric Light and Power (Boston); (United States) Vol. 71:4; ISSN ELLPAJ; ISSN 0013-4120
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
240700 -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- Economic
Industrial & Business Aspects-- (1990-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPUTER NETWORKS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC CONTROLLERS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
EQUIPMENT
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
POWER TRANSMISSION
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RELIABILITY