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Focuses on the reliability and power quality at Champion International Corp. paper mill in Deferiet, New York. Numerous process interruptions experienced by Champion; Voltage sags emanating from the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. transmission system; Causes and location of faults; Mitigation techniques.

To analyze the grid integration effect of a virtual synchronous generator (VSG), this paper proposes a simple power system modeling method. It is shown that for a specific disturbance, by simplifying the original network to a radical n generators single-load model, its state-space small-signal model can be obtained using a unified formula, as long as the single generator infinite bus model of each generator is given. Case studies based on the IEEE 9-bus test system as well as the New York New England test system show high efficiency of the proposed modeling to represent slow power and frequency deviations. Modal analyses give insight into how system poles are synthesized by individual generator poles, and how different designs of VSGs affect the system oscillation modes. Potential errors due to the topology simplification and the measures to avoid them are discussed. The time-domain results and modal analyses highlight some important features of VSG, which are overlooked in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel approach to damp interarea oscillations by designing a robust multi-input multioutput supplementary controller for multiterminal dc (MTDC) systems embedded in ac grids. The key idea to achieve robustness lies in explicitly modeling the MTDC current injection as disturbances using an \mathcal H\infty mixed-sensitivity formulation in the linear matrix inequality framework. Control directions are established by selecting wide-area feedback signals and the relative gain array computation. Robustness is assessed through dynamic simulations for scenarios including: first, disturbances on the ac side, second, disturbances on the dc-side such as loss of a converter pole including actuator, third, partial loss of feedback signal, and fourth, communication latencies. The performance of the proposed controller is compared against the conventional \mathcal H\infty based design, using a four-terminal dc grid embedded within the New England–New York test system. The results suggest that the proposed approach demonstrates superior performance following dc-side disturbances, actuator outages, and latency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Strict limits of the revised noise ordinance of New York City require power transformers to have ultra-low levels at each of the frequencies of transformer noise at full load and overexcitation. This paper describes the development of the technology that allowed successful design and production of ultra-low-noise power transformers recently delivered to Consolidated Edison of New York City. The paper presents results achieved by this development effort in the areas of accurate calculation of core resonance frequencies, frequency spectrum of core noise, and load noise. It also presents other aspects of the technology development, such as de-coupling of active parts vibrations from the tank, proper design of tank-plate fields and tank bracing, proper transformer mounting techniques, and accurate measurement of low noise levels in the factory. Finally, this paper presents the difference in design of the generations of these transformers produced at different stages of this development effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obstacle-avoiding rectilinear Steiner minimal tree (OARSMT) construction is an essential part of routing. Recently, IC routing and related researches have been extended from Manhattan architecture (λ2-geometry) to Y-/X-architecture (λ3-/λ4-geometry) to improve the chip performance. This paper presents an O(n log n) heuristic, λ-OAT, for obstacle-avoiding Steiner minimal tree construction in the A-geometry plane (λ-OASMT). In this paper, based on obstacle-avoiding constrained Delaunay triangulation, a full connected tree is constructed and then embedded into λ-OASMT by zonal combination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work addressing the λ-OASMT problem. Compared with most recent works on OARSMT problem, A-OAT obtains up to 30-Kx speedup with quality solution. We have tested randomly generated cases with up to 10 K terminals and 10-K rectilinear obstacles within 4 seconds on a Sun V880 workstation (755-MHz CPU and 4-GB memory). The high efficiency and accuracy of λ-OAT make it extremely practical and useful in the routing phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On August 14, 2003, a cascading outage of transmission and generation facilities in the North American Eastern Interconnection resulted in a blackout of most of New York state as well as parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. On September 23, 2003, nearly four million customers lost power in eastern Denmark and southern Sweden following a cascading outage that struck Scandinavia. Days later, a cascading outage between Italy and the rest of central Europe left most of Italy in darkness on September 28. These major blackouts are among the worst power system failures in the last few decades. The Power System Stability and Power System Stability Controls Subcommittees of the IEEE PES Power System Dynamic Performance Committee sponsored an all day panel session with experts from around the world. The experts described their recent work on the investigation of grid blackouts. The session offered a unique forum for discussion of possible root causes and necessary steps to reduce the risk of blackouts. This white paper presents the major conclusions drawn from the presentations and ensuing discussions during the all day session, focusing on the root causes of grid blackouts. This paper presents general conclusions drawn by this Committee together with recommendations based on lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TerraSAR-X, the first civil German synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, was successfully launched on June 15, 2007. After 4.5 days, the first processed image was obtained. The overall quality of the image was outstanding; however, suspicious features could be identified which showed precipitation-related signatures. These rain-cell signatures are thoroughly investigated, and the physical background of the related propagation effects is provided. In addition, rain-cell signatures from former missions like SIR-C/X and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission are provided for comparison. During the commissioning phase of TerraSAR-X, a total of 12000 scenes were investigated for potential propagation effects, and about 100 scenes revealed atmospheric effects to a visible extent. Some of the particularly interesting events were selected and are discussed in greater detail. An interesting case of data acquisition over New York will be presented, which shows typical rain-cell signatures, and the SAR image will be compared with weather-radar data acquired nearly simultaneously (within the same minute). By comparing the images, it can be clearly seen that reflectivities in the weather-radar image of 50 dBZ may cause visible artifacts in SAR images. Furthermore, in this paper, we discuss the influence of the atmosphere (troposphere) on the external calibration of TerraSAR-X. By acquiring simultaneous weather-radar data over the test site and the SAR acquisition, it was possible to flag affected SAR images and to exclude them from the procedure to derive the absolute calibration constant. Thus, it was possible to decrease the 1 σ uncertainty of the absolute calibration factor by 0.15 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that foreign material (FM) in a semiconductor manufacturing process can result in significant unplanned tool down time, reduced product yields, and potential reliability performance issues. This paper will present an overview of the strategy and subsequent results of a multifaceted effort to reduce FM impact during the ramp up of the IBM 300-mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in Hopewell Junction, NY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Albany Cable Project team (BOC, National Grid, Sumitomo Electric, SuperPower) have built and tested a 350-m long HTS cable and cryogenic system rated at 48 MVA (800 Arms, 34.5-kV). The cable system included the world's first demonstration of an HTS cable-to-cable joint (or splice) as well as some novel design aspects in both the cryogenic refrigeration system and the terminations. The cable was installed and began operation in July 2006. This paper will summarize the testing and operational aspects of the HTS cable system and its integration into the existing National Grid 34.5-kV network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Department of Energy is currently funding the design, development and demonstration of the first Long length, transmission level voltage, cold dielectric, high temperature underground superconductor power cable. The cable is designed for permanent installation in the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) grid and is being designed to carry 574 MVA at a voltage of 138 kV. The project is led by American Superconductor and the team is comprised of Nexans, Air Liquide and LIPA. This paper describes the goals of the project, and an overview of the cable design, frigeration system and site system requirements. It also includes a discussion of the influence of transmission network requirements, such as fault currents, on the design of the cable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A team consisting of SuperPower, Inc. (HTS systems manufacturer), The BOC Group (global industrial gases company), Sumitomo Electric Industries (cable manufacturer), and Niagara Mohawk (electric utility) is developing a 34.5 kV HTS cable for installation in the distribution network in downtown Albany, NY. Energization is projected for the winter of 2005. The cable will be rated for 800 Arms, with all three electrical phases in one cryostat. The 350 m long cable will be pulled through a duct that includes a 90° bend. A field installed underground cable joint will allow for the replacement of a 30 m section of the original first generation HIS cable with a section manufactured utilizing second generation superconductor, in 2006. This paper will summarize the progress made to date and outline future development work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1997, the F. W. Olin Foundation of New York established the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA, with the mission of creating an engineering school for the 21st century Over the last five years, the college has transformed from an idea to a functioning entity that admitted its first freshman class in fall 2002. This paper describes the broad outlines of the Olin curriculum with some emphasis on the electrical and computer engineering degree. The curriculum incorporates the best practices from many other institutions as well as new ideas and approaches in an attempt to address the future of engineering education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]