Press Releases - Clarkson and Two Utilities to Develop Electric System Upgrade Models

August 15, 2008

NYSERDA Study and Software Would Improve Electric System Reliability

Albany--Clarkson University, National Grid and Massena Electric are teaming to perform an engineering study comparing various utility system electrical distribution upgrades.  The study will produce a computer program to record these future upgrades and seek to minimize differences among various utility systems.  The $258,209 study is funded in part by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Electric power distribution systems face multiple changes, including new reliability requirements and incentives, more stringent customer needs requiring a higher level of power quality, and advanced technologies capitalizing on new design options. Combined, these changes mean that utility distribution system designers face a much wider range of considerations when planning upgrades to the grid. 

This project will develop a software tool to assess the impact of various system design options on the reliability and power quality of radial distribution circuits.  The end result will be to establish uniform design techniques to reduce the frequency of power outages, with a particular emphasis on momentary outages.

“We hope that every utility will contribute to this study in order to ensure future electric service reliability across the State. NYSERDA values this future cooperation as a way to improve customer service under a unified engineering standard,” said NYSERDA Vice President for Programs, Robert G. Callender. 

The study covers radial-pattern distribution systems operated by utilities across the state, except for service in Manhattan and a select few other urban areas where network systems are in place.  Two industry-standard measurements, the measurement of the length of customer interruptions and the frequency of these interruptions will form the initial basis of the study.  Based on these criteria, new distribution system upgrades will be plotted against findings and eventually new system hardware installations and reliability will become comparable and compatible among all State utilities.

Thomas H. Ortmeyer, chair of Clarkson’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department said:  “The Clarkson team is looking forward to working with National Grid, Massena Electric, and the other investor-owned and municipal power companies across the state to develop efficient and effective design procedures for the electric power distribution systems that serve New York’s electric power consumers.  We believe that the direct use of reliability criteria in the design process will allow us to identify the system upgrades that will lead to the most effective improvements for the least cost.  It has been estimated that power outages in the United States alone cost consumers over $150 billion per year.  The goal of this project is to reduce these costs that occur in New York.”  Clarkson is contributing $68,130 toward the study costs.

NYSERDA funding for the project comes from the System Benefit Charge, a surcharge levied by the Public Service Commission and paid by electric distribution customers of the major investor-owned utilities across the State. 

"National Grid is pleased to be a member of this project team.  This continues a long working relationship we have had with Clarkson University, and allows us to collaborate with other important entities in New York State,” said Susan Crossett, National Grid vice president for energy solutions in upstate New York. “We expect the results of this effort to provide new insights into design processes, which will assist in the goal to maximize system reliability and efficiency.”

Andrew McMahon, superintendent of the Town of Massena Electric Department said, “The Massena Electric Department is pleased to participate with NYSERDA, National Grid and Clarkson University in this important effort to ensure the electric distribution system of tomorrow is even more reliable and efficient for our customers and customers throughout New York. This collaboration between government, higher education and public and private utilities will enable us to tap into the knowledge and experience of a diverse set of experts for this essential endeavor."

NYSERDA was established by law in 1975 as a public benefit corporation. NYSERDA provides energy-related technical and financial packaging assistance to businesses and institutions to promote energy efficiency and economic development, as well as providing energy research and development programs that promote safe and economical energy production efficiency technologies in New York State.  NYSERDA also analyzes the effect of New York’s energy, regulatory and environmental policies on the State’s business, institutional, and residential energy consumers.

Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in six alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park, Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world’s pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority. National Grid is the largest power producer in New York State, owning 6,650 megawatts of electricity generation that provides power to over one million customers on Long Island and supplies roughly a quarter of New York City’s electricity needs. It is also the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The Massena Electric Department is a municipally owned and operated electric utility serving over 9000 customers throughout the Massena, New York area.  Established in 1981, MED provides its customers with electricity priced in the lowest quartile nationally.  Earlier this year, the MED board was honored to be recognized as a Reliable Public Power ProviderTM (RP3) by the American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

Contact

Laura Bunzey, NYSERDA
518-862-1090, Ext. 3446
lxb@nyserda.ny.gov

Thomas H. Ortmeyer
Clarkson University
315-268-6511
ortmeyer@clarkson.edu