While most utility communication, energy transmission and distribution networks were built piecemeal over decades, advances in modern technology allow all three disparate systems to seamlessly integrate into a cohesive, efficient, safe and reliable solution. PLTE networks are the hub of this new initiative, capable of helping utilities meet ambitious Net Zero clean energy goals to combat climate change and make communities cleaner, safer, and more resilient to adverse weather and outside threats.
The stars are aligning for the nation to reach a goal of zero carbon emission by 2050, but getting there will require major investments of time and dollars from government entities, public utilities, and the private sector. In February, The New York Times reported about the major backlog of clean energy projects waiting for years to plug into the grid. Among the many problems the article cited was aging and outdated utility infrastructure that is unable to take on new power generation sources.
Last year, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), encouraged utilities to make a plan to welcome clean energy into the grid. “Planning for those facilities with a longer-term forward-looking approach, in addition to fairly allocating their costs, is essential to ensuring we are developing energy infrastructure in a manner that reduces costs and enhances reliability,” said FERC Chairman Rich Glick. Answering the call, in April, the Biden Administration allocated an additional $30 million of an $82 million funding bill “for technologies that will help integrate solar energy into the grid.”
PLTE is an integral part of this long-term solution.
The main advantage of PLTE is the customizable deployment of highly available, highly reliable data transmission; ultra low latency enables secure digital data packets to be sent, analyzed, and returned to tens of thousands of locations throughout a network. This optimizes the promise of both consumer-grade and industrial IoT technology that can deliver countless benefits to the energy provider and the communities they serve.
Grid Modernization – In the traditional energy grid model, dating back to the wiring of city streets in the late 1800s (by 1925, half of the homes in the US were connected to the grid), power was generated in a central location (like a coal powered plant) and distributed to homes within the grid. PLTE networks allow for clean energy to be generated throughout the grid, with accurate and efficient metering and distribution. Grid-connected solar-paneled homes can fully or partially self-power and contribute excess energy to the grid to receive energy credits.
AMI backhaul tracks usage from other parties and precisely bills all other recipients of that energy without the need for manual meter readers, whose work factors in the slight possibility of human error. Once the backlog of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) projects, including solar farms, hydroelectric generators, and wind turbines throughout the region, is unblocked, these resources can contribute additional energy, steadily leading up to the goal of eliminating the need for fossil fuel production.
In addition to data precision, AMI backhaul provides a real-time view into demand on the grid. This data helps utilities to better understand and manage their grid resources in the present, optimizing different DER sources at their disposal. AI can help with data analysis to better prevent blackouts and reduce the need for brownouts during usage surges. Such stabilization can often mean life or death for vulnerable populations during heat waves and deep freezes.
Falling Conductor Protection (FCP) is among the most talked about benefits of PLTE technology. Almost every region of the US has to deal with extreme weather at some point during the year, if not year-round. Recent years have seen high wind events, like those that fueled the tragic fires in Maui, plus derechos in the midwest, noreasters and hurricanes in the east, and the rare tropical storm that swept through Southern California in August. Downed power lines in any of these events can present a wildfire ignition potential or an electrocution hazard to those on the ground.
When a power line breaks free of a pole, considering an average height of 25 feet, it takes about 1.25 seconds for it to hit the ground. FCP detection equipment on each side of the monitored line checks line integrity 30-60 times per second, relaying data packs to a centralized command, where an algorithm checks for abnormalities. Should a red flag be detected, central command can return a signal to the affected area and cut off power to the affected line – all within milliseconds. In order for this technology to work, it is essential that the data packets are sent and received to the fastest degree possible, without compromise. To achieve the best results, PLTE can leverage a variety of applicable bands, including 3.5 GHz CBRS and 900mhz spectrum.
While the benefits of PLTE could fill hundreds of more pages here, another one worth highlighting is network and site security. In recent years, isolated substations have been knocked offline by domestic terrorists aiming shotguns at exposed equipment. PLTE can enable better lighting, video surveillance, and alarm systems to act as a deterrent for aspiring troublemakers. In turn, improved data security protocols can protect systems from international cybersecurity threats.
Taken collectively, the need to start planning for 2050 is now. By making a plan for a complete network overhaul, and aligning all stakeholders to work together to make it happen, public utilities can lead the way for the nation to reach clean energy goals, and best serve and protect the citizens of this nation.