IEDs and Substation Automation

 An experienced electrical safety professional, Dianoush Emami graduated with a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. Drawing on a career spanning three decades, Dianoush has also designed and implemented high-voltage systems for use in power generation and electrical substation facilities.

Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) are built using microprocessor technology. In substations, IEDs serve as an integral component of the substation automation system. They essentially collect data on the state of different substation devices, process and interpret the data, and trigger autonomous control commands in a fraction of a second if an abnormal situation is identified. The control command can sometimes remedy the fault completely.

IEDs can also transfer information via multiple communication modes. Local operators and remote personnel can access this information for troubleshooting. In most substations, a special system called the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system centralizes communication from various IEDs, streamlining substation supervision.

Understanding High Voltage Transmissions and their Safety Precautions

 Dianoush Emami is an accomplished California-based electrical engineer, who draws upon more than three decades of experience. An alumnus of University of Southern California, Dianoush Emami has worked extensively as a high voltage engineer in electrical distribution and transmission.

High voltage electricity is utilized for multiple uses, including power generation to managing industrial plants. Transmission and distribution lines operate on significantly higher voltages compared to homes and businesses, as they carry huge amounts of power. Due to the massive amount of electrical energy involved, high voltage electrical sites should be installed far away from people and properties. To ensure any potential safety hazards have been addressed, high voltage electricity is often regulated and managed under close supervision. This allows for power levels to be maintained within industry-approved levels.

For high-voltage installation sites to remain safe, adequate insulation to maintain voltage levels and physical isolation measures should be implemented to prevent accidents. Installations are required to comply with the National Electrical Code and other applicable local codes. For insulation, regular testing should be done, as insulation degenerates when exposed to very high temperatures and chemical agents. A megohmmeter is an insulation tester device used to measure high resistance values, by transmitting a high voltage signal to an object being tested, in order to determine an insulation’s performance.

A Brief Look at Substation Automation Systems

 An electrical engineering alumnus of the University of Southern California, Dianoush Emami is an accomplished electrical engineer who worked at Bechtel Power Corporation for six years. Dianoush Emami has also implemented high-voltage systems in power generation facilities and electrical substations.

A substation automation system is a series of hardware and software components that help monitor and control electrical systems at electrical substations. With a substation automation system, electrical engineers no longer need to perform many tedious and repetitive tasks on-site at substations. These tasks are handled by complex algorithms embedded in substation automation systems' components. Some of these tasks are traditionally error-prone. Algorithms eradicate human errors.

Substation automation systems minimize electric system faults and downtime, expedite critical troubleshooting, optimize productivity, and boost revenue for electrical companies. These systems also streamline the analysis of hazards by recording and transferring data to locations where the data can be analyzed to determine the causes and patterns of component failures. With this information, engineers can take the necessary actions to prevent component faults and failures from happening again.

Many components of modern substation automation systems are microprocessor-based intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). Supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) helps monitor multiple IEDs.

A Brief Overview of Nuclear Power Generation in the United States

 

A former electrical engineer at Bechtel Power Corporation, Dianoush Emami is a longtime Santa Ana, California resident with a leadership background in the safety, quality, and engineering sectors. Dianoush Emami has overseen numerous projects, including conventional, biofuel, and nuclear power plants.

Nuclear power plants offer alternative energy sources that use the heat liberated via the decay (splitting) of radioactive atoms (uranium) to generate electricity. The erosion of radioactive particles occurs in the nuclear reactor, and some plants have more than one reactor. The heat generated from the atoms boils water and creates steam, turning turbines to generate electricity in virtually the same manner as other power plants.

The United States has the most significant number of nuclear power plants worldwide. As of 2021, the United States Energy Information Administration recognized 55 nuclear power plants across 28 states. Nuclear power historically constitutes 20 percent of the total electrical power generation in the country.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ungrounded Systems

 Dianoush Emami obtained his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. His over 40 years of experience as an electrical engineer has earned him numerous publications and awards, including the IEEE PES Award for the best technical report in 1995. Dianoush Emami is an expert at designing and implementing safe electrical projects that cover high voltage transmissions and electrical grounding systems.

Though generally considered unsafe, ungrounded systems still exist. Ungrounded systems are electrical systems not connected to the ground. However, they use capacitances to connect conductors to the ground, so in a way, they share a connection to the ground. Still, electrical engineers disregard this connection as it plays little role in the system’s function.

Ungrounded systems are advantageous because they do not cause the system to harm itself because of the low current of ground faults. This means that the system can function uninterrupted. Also, there are cheaper as they do not require additional costs for grounding. Additionally, engineers can specially design them to minimize the risk of shock to people.

Ungrounded systems also have disadvantages. One is that it allows excess voltage accumulation as the capacitive current will flow during a fault. The system is also susceptible to transient currents caused by lightning. Furthermore, it is difficult to trace the exact location of a fault in this system, and unresolved faults in one phase may affect other phases.

Alternative Energy vs. Renewable Energy

 An alumnus of the University of Southern California, Dianoush Emami is an electrical electrician with nearly four decades of experience in electrical high-voltage transmission, distribution, substation design, and engineering. Dianoush Emami formerly served six years at Bechtel Power Corporation and guided several related projects in the biofuel and alternative energy sectors.

Alternative energy has become a highly sought-after energy source as it promises to mitigate the environmental hazards of fossil fuel use. Alternative energy is an umbrella term for sources of electricity that emit very little or zero greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of alternative energy sources are solar, wind, nuclear, biomass, and hydroelectric power. Coal, oil, and natural gas are not alternative energy sources since they pollute the air with carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas), which contributes to climate change.

Renewable energy overlaps with alternative energy, but the two terms are distinct. Renewable energy is electricity generated from an infinite source, such as solar and wind. Moreover, the alternative sources do not deplete. Nuclear energy is an alternative energy but is not renewable because it uses finite materials - radioactive atoms.

The Membership Benefits of IEEE

 Dianoush Emami is a safety professional with over three decades of experience in the electrical field. He worked as an electrical engineer for Bechtel Power Corporation in Norwalk, California, and designed several power generation projects and their computer application. Dianoush Emami retains membership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), where he serves on their switchgear committee and distributed generation working group.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is one of the largest professional technical organizations in the world. As an organization, they seek to make universally recognized problem-solving contributions to the field of science and technology. To do this, they foster a community of over 400,000 highly skilled technicians and engineers that can produce innovations for the benefit of humankind.

Being a member of the IEEE comes with several benefits. One benefit is networking with other technical professionals to create groups and collaborate on projects. Additionally, you will be able to build a professional profile and attain accolades from your peers. You will also be able to join discussions on topics of technical work that interest you through the organization’s various events and activities across the globe. Furthermore, you will access the organization’s extensive resources and opportunities.

Membership is open to experienced professionals with evidence of competence in a particular field of technical and engineering work. It is also open to students enrolled in an academic course in any technical or engineering field.

Differences Between High Voltage and Low Voltage Substations

 A longtime resident of Santa Ana, California, Dianoush Emami is an experienced electrical engineer who served six years at Bechtel Power Corporation. In this role, he designed power system control systems, computer system applications, and control systems. Dianoush Emami has extensive engineering expertise in high voltage transmission and substation design.

High voltage substations are integral to electricity distribution from power stations to many end users. These substations convey electricity in the order of 11,000 or 33,000 volts; the electricity is doled out among customers who use fractional voltage components. High voltage substations are often constructed outdoors on parcels of land that are a moderate distance from nearby occupants to prevent discomfort due to sounds made by elements of the substations, such as transformers.

Low voltage substations are designed to convey a limited voltage of electricity. The standard voltage processed by these substations is below 11,000 volts. They are mostly constructed indoors to prevent exposure to factors that can raise the voltage above the required range because of the restricted levels of voltage required at these substations. The presence of metal contaminants in the air is a factor. Some commercial buildings have low voltage substations.

IEEE and UC Agreement Gives Researchers Access to Publishing

 A Santa Ana, California resident, Dianoush Emami is an engineer with 37 years of experience in the industry. In addition to his work as an engineer, Dianoush Emami is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), an organization that speaks for professionals in technology, computing, and engineering.

In August 2022, the IEEE announced its agreement with the University of California (UC) related to a read-and-publish platform that allows researchers to publish articles through open access to over 200 premier journals and magazines. As it stands, IEEE publishes most of UC’s research. Still, as a part of the agreement, researchers can now publish research in the above publications related to aerospace systems, computer science, artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering.

Under this agreement, researchers can publish their findings in gold or traditional hybrid IEEE journals, even if they do not have the funds to pay for open access. Instead, libraries cover the costs (processing fee) on behalf of the author so that budget does not impede researchers from publishing their findings. In addition to funding assistance, UC scholars can access more than five million documents (scientific journals, standards, and proceedings) from the IEEE Xplore digital library.

EPA as a Component of Nuclear Plants

California resident Dianoush Emami is an electrical engineer who has coordinated projects ranging from biofuel to nuclear power. Dianoush Emami performed contracted work spanning transformers, inverters, communications, and electrical penetration assemblies (EPA) at Georgia’s Alvin F. Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in the latter field.

EPAs are part of the sealed‐off containment structures at nuclear power plants. Designed to ensure that radiation does not leak into the surrounding environment, such containment structures contain the plant’s nuclear reactor.

The task of EPAs is to ensure that electrical signals and power are transferred through the containment wall and fulfill the requirements of the nuclear power generating station. Feedthrough modules, typically in a stainless steel housing, contain electrical conductors that pass power and electrical signals. At the same time, EPAs help maintains the containment pressure boundary, which is critical in preventing leakage situations. This dual function is performed via electrical and mechanical means.

EPA standards are precisely defined and include the assembly having a proper voltage rating for the plant’s design service conditions. In addition, they typically have some combination of advanced optical fiber, double aperture, and double electric conductor seals. Gas leak rates are tested, and double seals are closely monitored following installation. In addition, insulation resistance tests are conducted in specific ambient conditions spanning relative humidity, pressure, and temperature.

Nuclear Energy Source of Electricity

An alumnus of the University of Southern California, Dianoush Emami earned his BS in electrical engineering in 1981 and subsequently joined Bechtel Power Corporation, where he served as an electrical engineer until 1987. Dianoush Emami has also gained experience in electrical high-voltage transmission and project design and management, as well as facilities in the biofuel, alternative energy, and nuclear power plant sectors.

Nuclear power plants produce energy by splitting heavy uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission releases a lot of energy in the form of heat, which the plant uses to create steam. The pressure from the steam drives mechanical processes that result in electricity.

Nuclear energy is clean and sustainable. This is because it produces a large amount of electricity without polluting the air with carbon, unlike fossil fuel. The waste materials generated (typically carbon-free) are not released into the air. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the United States averted 476 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2019. Nuclear power plants generate approximately 20 percent of the electricity used in the United States, making nuclear energy the second largest source of clean electricity in the country.