Advanced Utility Infrastructure

Increasing demands for electricity have pushed the limits of the power grid. Add in environmental and security concerns, and renewed emphasis on demand management, cost control, reliability, efficiency and alternative generation options, today’s utility is faced with critical challenges to its delivery system.

It is imperative that utilities invest in new technologies and new approaches that can ensure efficient, reliable and secure electricity service to customers. Allegheny Energy has embraced this opportunity by working to evolve its transmission and distribution system into an intelligent network for electricity delivery through an Advanced Utility Infrastructure (AUI).

Substation

By incorporating an AUI, Allegheny is overcoming these new challenges. An AUI creates a network that allows the transfer of data between the customer, the utility operations center, as well as various monitoring and control devices spread throughout the delivery system.

 
Allegheny has a number of AUI-related projects in its service territory

Developmental Field Test – Working with the U.S. Department of Energy and featuring the expertise of Augusta Systems as well as other providers of intelligent network technologies, Allegheny Energy has deployed a field test featuring a self-directed, self-healing distribution system. The system includes the AUI backbone, reclosers and switches, state-of-the-art sensors and system automation software. The system, installed on two electricity distribution feeders, collects data from the circuits and, in case of a power outage, isolates the problem and restores some or all electricity service from adjacent feeders in real-time without manual intervention from system operators.

West Virginia Super Circuit – The U.S. Department of Energy has selected this project as one of nine demonstration projects that will help shape the future of the nation’s electricity grid. Integration of new, advanced utility infrastructure with existing technology will improve the performance and reliability for approximately 2,300 customers served by Allegheny’s West Run Substation in Morgantown, W.Va.

 

The project’s goals include:

  • Reducing peak power consumption by at least 15 percent,
  • Enabling real-time pricing options and time-of-use billing through the installation of advanced meters, and
  • Improving system efficiency through sensors and advanced circuit control technology.

Research Ridge Test Facility – Built upon technology platforms from Augusta Systems, this fully operational example of smart grid technology is located in Augusta's six-building office park in Morgantown, West Virginia. The facility will maximize energy efficiency and improve customer service and reliability as well as give insight on the benefits of controlling peak demand. The new monitoring technologies will allow the user to measure system health and efficiency at the six-building site. It also enables appliance control through home area networks and simulates demand side management in response to price signals. Another benefit is the ability to view live data from power line substation monitoring devices, security cameras and multi-vendor smart meters and thermostats.

For more information about our AUI projects, and Research Ridge in particular, click on the following video links.