Cultural Project Blog Post #1

2. From the conversations and training you had with ABB engineers, what have you learned about power utilities and distribution companies in Finland?

 The largest takeaway I had from conversing with the ABB engineers about power utilities and distribution companies in Finland is how they differed from the United States. They made a consistent point of telling us that the US power grid infrastructure was behind the times. The item most frequently mentioned was the Finn’s use of micro-processor relays versus the United States’ use of electromechanical relays. Through a little bit of outside research, I was able to determine the following.

The main characteristics of the electromechanical relays for power distribution in the United States include the idea that they are the tried, tested, and true devices, as these types of relays have been around, in essence, since 1835. Digital (micro-processor) relays were not introduced to the power distribution market until the mid-1990s. The operation of an electromechanical relay is based on mechanical/physical components, rather than a code based solution, providing a single function use, allowing for less to go wrong. Despite their need for cleaning and maintenance, the long life span of these devices has kept them in use across the United States. Despite this, some power distribution companies within the United States are working towards swapping their equipment to digital relays.

Micro-processor relays are attractive in that they are essentially install and forget, as they contain zero moving parts, periodical service/cleaning is not required, they have the ability to auto/remote reset, they are more compact in size, and are able to perform multiple functions alongside protection. These relays also maintain the function, especially in the case of ABB, to store useful data, allow for intra-relay (GOOSE) communication, and are able to analyze and track multiple active parameters. These are the “smart” devices of the power transmission grid. However, this technology is relatively new and comparatively, on the whole, rather expensive versus electromechanical relays.

In general, the use of (what some would consider outdated) electromechanical relays in the United States versus the rest of the world, specifically Finland, can also be attributed to cultural differences and variations in values. Within the United States, infrastructure contracts are typically awarded to the lowest bidder as a means to cut and save costs, as an attempt to maximize profits. However, in Finland the general culture seems to revolve around benefiting everyone at the cost of everyone pitching in, with the imminent threat and previous history of bordering countries driving the desire to modernize. The goal of this modernization is/was to provide a network of independence such that in times of peril, the country would be able to hold its own and operate accordingly. This reasoning is why nearly 95% or more of the base stations within the power transmission grid operate using microprocessor relays. Another potential reason for the mainstream adoption of the newer technology could be attributed to the adoption of the Mankala cost-price model, where the power companies sell whatever electricity is produced to its shareholders at a zero profit margin. This would create the incentive to cut operating costs by adopting the newer, more efficient technology, thus bringing lower energy prices to the consumers.

Overall, our conversations with the ABB engineers were very enlightening, providing a new prospective on the world of power distribution and protection relays outside of the United States. With this new found knowledge I am better prepared to move forward as a globally conscious engineer and have broadened my skill/tool set to better tackle whatever future problems I may encounter.