Any Electrical Engineers or Power Grid Technicians?

[Jjoshua2]

So I made post here http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2283952&enterthread=y in the technical forum, but I thought I'd post in off-topic to see if anybody had any other ideas. I suppose I could call our local power company and tell them I need a few questions answered for school, but I don't think they'd be very accommodating.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

If they are a public utility that information should be public information.

I had to call MECO last year to ask about solar and wind power and how much of the total electric usage was covered by those sources... they forwarded me to the right guy and he answered all my questions.

Call your local utility company and ask. Can't hurt.

 

[Jjoshua2]

Cool, I'll have to try that. I just sent our local company an email. I suppose I can try sending other companies emails too, can't hurt. Anybody care to give me the email addy of their power company? Thanks

 

[rudeguy]

pm JohnCU. He should be happy to help you out.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Jjoshua2
So I made post here http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2283952&enterthread=y in the technical forum, but I thought I'd post in off-topic to see if anybody had any other ideas. I suppose I could call our local power company and tell them I need a few questions answered for school, but I don't think they'd be very accommodating.

you know cross posting is not allowed??

 

[JohnCU]

i'll reply in a few minutes

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
i'll reply in a few minutes

/grabs plate of waffles with super awesome blueberry stuff and awaits JohnCU's reply.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: NSFW

Originally posted by: JohnCU
i'll reply in a few minutes

/grabs plate of waffles with super awesome blueberry stuff and awaits JohnCU's reply.

i posted in the HT thread

now gimmie some waffles

 

[josh0099]

I will post a reply in the afternoon though a lot of them won't be much better then JohnCU's, though I do work in Distribution(Power Delivery), you asked a very broad set of questions, which most people aren't privileged to the information nor do they want to be.

 

[Jjoshua2]

Thanks for your help so far guys. Have any of you read this book? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...nce_of_a_Connected_Age I think I am going to base my paper of small-world networks and power grids, but I am thinking that may be too technical and specific. I really liked that book though and recommend to anyone who is into that kinda book. It was pretty easy reading too (not slogging through a bunch of equations at all). I can probably expand my paper to also include computer networks, since they are similar to power grids, so if anyone wants to try the survey using computer networks instead go for it please!

PS What can I say about John's credentials, is he an electrical engineer?

 

[misle]

I worked as a power distribution engineer for 2 years. Now I design substation protection and controls. I really can't add much to what JohnCU posted.

I will say that the company I work for now is doing a lot with Smart Grid technology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_grid

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Jjoshua2
Thanks for your help so far guys. Have any of you read this book? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...nce_of_a_Connected_Age I think I am going to base my paper of small-world networks and power grids, but I am thinking that may be too technical and specific. I really liked that book though and recommend to anyone who is into that kinda book. It was pretty easy reading too (not slogging through a bunch of equations at all). I can probably expand my paper to also include computer networks, since they are similar to power grids, so if anyone wants to try the survey using computer networks instead go for it please!

PS What can I say about John's credentials, is he an electrical engineer?

i have a BS in electrical engineering

and i havent read that book.

 

[josh0099]

Updated the other thread with my answers any other questions you can shoot here I guess...

 

[Jjoshua2]

So I read the wiki article on smart grids, it seems quite relevant. The article said they are supposed to be self-healing and resist attack. How is this accomplished? An easy way would be to have duplicate everything, and switch over on failure, but that much redundancy would be quite wasteful most of the time.