Power Grid Innovations and Strategies

Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast from Distribute Tech in Dallas, Texas, sponsored by Siemens. He interviews Jason Cunningham from Power Grid Components (PGC), who has 19 years of experience in the industry. PGC, formed in 2017, owns eight to nine companies and focuses on providing compatible solutions for utilities and renewables. Cunningham discusses the Syncrotec MDX, a device that mitigates inrush current when switching into a transformer, addressing voltage sags. The device, which has been on the market for about 10 years, can be installed in various switchgear and is compatible with different manufacturers. It stores operational data for up to 500 operations, with the Supertech Plus storing up to 2000 operations. Cunningham can be contacted via LinkedIn for more information.

Action Items

• [ ] Reach out to Siemens for more information on their smart infrastructure and grid software solutions.
• [ ] Connect with Jason Cunningham on LinkedIn to learn more about the Syncrotec MDX product.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Speaker 1 introduces Scott Mackenzie and the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and professionals.
• Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners, highlighting the importance of industry professionals and their contributions to making the world better.
• The podcast is broadcasting from Distribute Tech in Dallas, Texas, and is sponsored by Siemens, smart infrastructure, and grid software.
• Scott MacKenzie introduces Jason Cunningham from PGC, who is in the "hot seat" for the interview.

Jason Cunningham's Background and Role at PGC

• Jason Cunningham introduces himself, mentioning his 19 years of experience in the industry, including selling high-voltage circuit breakers and circuit switchers.
• Jason recently joined Power Grid Components (PGC) to help integrate products into the US market.
• PGC owns about eight or nine companies within the industry, formed in 2017 to provide compatible solutions for utilities and renewables.
• Jason explains that PGC's goal is to offer compatible products that can support each other, providing solutions to end-users.

Introduction to Syncrotec MDX and Its Functionality

• Jason introduces the Syncrotec MDX, a device that can be applied to any switchgear component, such as a circuit breaker, recloser, or circuit switcher.
• The Syncrotec MDX mitigates the inrush current when switching into a transformer, addressing the issue of voltage sags or drops.
• Scott MacKenzie and Jason discuss the importance of power quality and how the Syncrotec MDX helps maintain it.
• Jason mentions the IEEE 1547 standard, which is gaining traction and addresses power quality issues in large wind or solar farms.

Installation and Compatibility of Syncrotec MDX

• Jason explains the installation process of the Syncrotec MDX, which involves working with the manufacturer of the switchgear to set the timing of the unit.
• The device can be installed remotely, and PGC can dial it in slightly on-site to ensure it is ready to go.
• Jason highlights the agnostic nature of the Syncrotec MDX, which can be used with various switchgear manufacturers and voltage levels.
• The Syncrotec MDX can handle voltage levels up to 1100 KV, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Future Prospects and Additional Devices

• Jason discusses the future of the Syncrotec MDX and mentions another device called the Supertech Plus, which can handle independent pole operation.
• The industry's growth, particularly with the increasing number of farms and data centers, necessitates maximizing power quality within the system.
• Jason emphasizes the importance of power quality for data centers, as poor quality can damage equipment and disrupt operations.
• The Syncrotec MDX can store up to 500 operations, while the Supertech Plus can store 2000 operations, providing valuable data for troubleshooting and maintenance.

Data Collection and Insights from Syncrotec MDX

• Jason explains that the Syncrotec MDX can report up to 500 operations and store them for analysis.
• The device can detect any miss or off-calibration and provide waveforms for adjustment.
• The Supertech Plus can store 2000 operations, offering more detailed data for analysis.
• Scott MacKenzie and Jason discuss the potential insights that can be gained from the data, such as identifying mechanical failures or unusual switching patterns.

Contact Information and Conclusion

• Jason provides his contact information, recommending that interested parties reach out to him on LinkedIn.
• Scott MacKenzie wraps up the conversation, emphasizing the importance of education, collaboration, and innovation in the industry.
• The podcast is sponsored by Siemens, smart infrastructure, and grid software, and all contact information for Jason will be available on the Industrial Talk website.
• Scott encourages listeners to be bold, brave, and innovative, and to reach out to him for future conversations.