Overcurrent/Overvoltage Protection Covered In-depth at Workshop
Jun-17-2008
Overcurrent protection of a distribution and subtransmission system is critical for two reasons; first, a properly designed scheme will increase the overall system reliability and second, the installation of overcurrent devices can provide safety to the public. The instructor, Kevin J. Mara, P.E., Principal Engineer, Hi Line Engineering, provided an understanding of system reliability and benchmarking reliability statistics. The participants were mostly electrical engineers from RMEL member companies.
Power Plant Emissions, Efficiency, Reliability Focus of Generation Conference
Jun-12-2008
David Madonna, Senior Plant Engineer, Valmont Station, Xcel Energy commented, Of all the RMEL Generation Conferences Ive attended, this conference had the highest quality content. Tim Cereny, Asset Management Specialist, Nebraska Public Power, said, Time well spent. Stephen Dare, Manager, Project Management, Alstom Power, responded, Overall preparation, quality and program were very good. Tim Coyle, HDR, said, The conference was useful and had interesting sessions.
Critical Topics Addressed at RMEL Safety Roundtable
May-23-2008
A RMEL Safety Roundtable was held May 23, 2008 at the Colorado Springs Utilities Training Facility in Colorado Springs, CO. The roundtable was attended by over 25 safety professionals. A short video on '15 Seconds to Safety' was presented and followed by an organized roundtable of current safety topics. '15 Seconds to Safety' is an Xcel Energy safety video featuring Vern Bigham, a lineman who was injured on the job. In the video Vern shares his story and safety message to help others avoid his experience. He stresses to take 15 seconds to process any accidents that may occur before performing a job. If there is any chance of being injured dont perform the job until it is safe to do so.
Grounding Workshop Stresses Proper Grounding Theory and Safety
May-20-2008
RMEL offered a two-day Grounding of Utility Systems Workshop on May 20-21, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast in Aurora, CO. The workshop offered a detailed look into proper grounding theory, design, and application of modern grounding schemes. Over 45 attendees from 23 companies attended this enlightening workshop. Attendees background included linemen, safety specialists, and design engineers.
Third Safety Roundtable of 2008 Scheduled for August
Aug-08-2008
Safety professionals - mark you calendars for August 8, 2008. The next RMEL Safety Roundtable will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins, CO. Please review the Safety Roundtable brochure for agenda information and to RSVP. The brochure is located at: http://www.rmel.org/Education/Safety/brochures/SRT8_08.pdf. RMEL Safety Roundtables are a members only forum where attendees bring and discuss industry issues. Utility personnel are encouraged to bring any and all safety topics of concern to the August Safety Roundtable for discussion.
Distribution Workshop to Cover Overcurrent/Overvoltage Protection
Jun-17-2008
Overcurrent protection of a distribution and subtransmission system is critical for two reasons; first, a properly designed scheme will increase the overall system reliability and second, the installation of overcurrent devices can provide safety to the public. RMEL Overcurrent/Overvoltage for Electric Utility Systems Workshop will provide a basic understanding of overcurrent protection devices and the proper coordination of these devices and their impact on increasing reliability and safety.
2008 Spring Electric Energy Conference A Huge Success
May-05-2008
This years RMEL Spring Electric Energy Conference was held at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa in Mesa, AZ from May 4-6. The dynamic conference was attended by over 250 industry professionals, managers, first time attendees and spouses taking advantage of the exceptional educational and networking opportunities that the Spring Conference provides.
The conference kicked off on Sunday morning with the RMEL Foundation Golf Outing held at the Longbow Golf Club. The four person scramble format allowed golfers to enjoy a morning on the course, relax, and network with peers and friends. Proceeds from the golf outing benefit the RMEL Foundation and its endeavor to encourage students to enter the electric energy industry through scholarship opportunities.
2008 RMEL Silent Auction to be Held at Fall Convention
Sep-07-2008
Encourage students to pursue careers in the electric energy industry by participating in the RMEL Foundation Silent Auction. The RMEL Foundation will hold its annual Silent Auction on September 8, 2008 to raise funds for scholarships. The auction is part of the Monday evening reception at the 2008 RMEL Fall Convention.
RMEL Fall Convention Explores Critical Strategic Issues
Sep-07-2008
The 2008 RMEL Fall Convention, September 7-9, 2008, in Vail, Colorado will address issues of top concern to the industry and electric utility senior management. Issues to be discussed include: reliability, environment, generation fuels and capacity, coal, renewables, nuclear, railroads, transmission access, efficiencies through smart grid, regulatory environment after the U.S. elections, and economic future. The RMEL Fall Convention attracts 300 senior executives from electric utilities and electric energy organizations. This diverse and interesting cross section of leaders provides a unique opportunity to share ideas and make contacts in a relaxed collegial environment.
Swing Away at the Annual Larry Cargo Golf Tournament
Jul-08-2008
RMELs Annual Larry Cargo Golf Tournament gets things swinging at the Ranch Country Club in Westminster, CO on Tuesday, July 8th. The tournament begins at 1:15 p.m. with a shotgun start and will be played in a scramble format. Participants may arrange their own foursomes or RMEL will place you. The tournament does sell out, so register now to guarantee your spot/foursome. Please remember there can be no more than two RMEL non-member guests per foursome and a maximum of two foursomes can be reserved by a member company.
Intensive Three Day Workshop Provides a Comprehensive Look at Line Design
Apr-12-2008
The RMEL Distribution Line Staking Workshop was held April 21-23, 2008 at the Leon Young Service Center at Colorado Springs Utilities in Colorado Springs, CO. This extensive workshop focused on the standards, techniques, and regulations that line staking engineers need to know to design safe, reliable, and efficient distribution lines. The class size was limited to forty attendees, and was quickly sold out.
Conference Addresses Electric Utility Carbon Issues and Strategies
Apr-17-2008
The RMEL Generation Conference: Carbon Issues and Strategies was held April 17, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza DIA in Denver, Colorado. Focused on current climate change issues and how utilities can face them, this dynamic conference was attended by over 94 attendees from 47 companies. The conference provided a short background on the science behind greenhouse gas emissions and their impact, what is currently being done by various companies, and developing technologies.
Going Home Safe Goal of RMEL Safety Conference
Apr-10-2008
The RMEL Safety Conference: Personal Safety-Go Home at the End of the Day was held April 10, 2008 at the Crown Plaza DIA in Denver, Colorado. In total just over 57 people attended. Over 24 companies were represented from RMELs 17 state territory. Nine presentations were made during the Conference, discussing a variety of issues regarding personal safety practices at electric utility companies. The key concept that was consistent through out the day was the power of effective communication. When communication is effective employees stay safe and lives are saved.
Substation Wrokshop Provides Advanced Design Concepts to Attendees
Mar-27-2008
RMEL hosted a two-day workshop on Advanced Substation Design, March 27 & 28, 2008 at the Crown Plaza DIA Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn DIA) in Denver, CO. The course was designed to provide advanced substation design principles to those already familiar with substation design. Richard Childress, P.E., Senior Project Engineer of Black and Veatch, Craig Preuss, P.E., Engineering Manager for Utility Automation of Black and Veatch, and Mike Emmerling, P.E., Project Engineer of Black and Veatch, provided the 45 attendees of this two-day workshop with a detailed perspective on designing substations which included personal experiences from their vast expertise.
RMEL Conference Explores a Variety of Issues that Impact Plant Efficiency
Jun-12-2008
With increasing operating costs for existing plants and cost challenges of new construction, the importance of maximizing power plant operating efficiencies is becoming increasingly important. Planning for plant efficiency is not the only component of resourceful plant management. Other components must include measures to increase reliability, along with the necessity to accommodate new standards for emission controls. RMEL Generation Conference: Manage Emissions, Efficiency, Reliability of Power Plants will address how utilities can make their power plants more efficient and reliable while at the same time manage and reduce emissions.
