Electric Power Grids and Open Source Technology

An open source platform, accessible by everyone, has been developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to help people know the answers to questions such as; how much electricity goes through the grid; what and where are bottlenecks; what occurs when solar cells and wind turbines contribute to the energy grid. The answers to these questions will not only provide the general public with a better understanding of energy, but may also assist with a turnaround of global energy.

The populace is not only interested in the answers to the energy questions, they have even taken it a step further by being proactive enough to use their smart phones and an app to track energy through grids, and review the infrastructure of the energy program itself. Watching energy travel through high and low voltage lines, transformer substations, wind turbines and solar operated power plants has become a passionate interest for many.

This energy turn around information allows users to share photos and locations with the Department of Computer Science’s (TU Munich) server. Upon receipt, the information is evaluated and analyzed with ultimate inclusion into the open source OpenStreetMap system.

Energy Changes and Looking Forward

The overall goal of the program is the production of a map of the worldwide electrical power grid. Professor Hans-Arno Jacobsen, director of the Department of Energy Informatics and Middleware at TUM indicates that “This is a prerequisite for the energy turnaround – no only here in Germany, but in all countries around the world. You can only plan the restructuring of the energy supply if you know exactly where power lines are located and at which locations power from high-voltage lines is transformed and fed into the low-voltage networks”.

Using this as a base, it would be possible to have a simulation as to how renewable energy feeding into the system will affect the grid, and where blockages or extra energy capacity will be produced. This could pinpoint the location where storage facilities may be needed.

This non-existent pool of data is necessary. Without it would be comparable to building a transportation system through an area with no known populace. The data needed for this effort would be cost prohibitive when compiled by a company or business; therefore the individual contribution seems as the most cost-effective method of data gathering.

The Crowd is Gathering

With a community of volunteers to lead the charge of an effort they have been involved in for over 10 years, the participation of others in this massive undertaking has been viewed as the most cost effective means to compile the information. These volunteers have been assisting the Wiki global OpenStreetMap for many years.

The app used for this purpose was published as the OpenGridMap on the Google Play Store, and volunteers are been sought to map wind turbines, solar power plants, transformer sub-stations and corresponding power lines. This can be done using the app on mobile phones.

Information gathered is verified for correctness and then uploaded into the open source map. The information on this network of verified grids is becoming denser. Red lines run through the map like veins.

The subsequent density of points that have been mapped will provide additional information. In those areas with numerous volunteers, the information is growing substantially. An algorithm has even been developed to map subterranean power lines that lead to homes and businesses.

Information Gathering

The underlying goal of this project will be to provide data to engineers and scientists located worldwide. Professor Jacobsen has said “There are many potential applications for the OpenGridMap. You could investigate the feasibility of making a state like Bavaria energy autonomous.” This project could easily provide someone with access information on the distance to power for a town.

This project has generated much excitement and interest. Siemens has volunteered as a project mentor and funding has been provided by the World Bank. Additional funding is provided by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), and also the Alexander Humboldt Foundation.

Power Plus! is a leading provider of reliable non-radioactive power generators across the United States and Canada.

Have a question or comment for Power Plus!? We'd love to hear from you!
Please provide your contact information and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Contact Power Plus @ (800) 863-2525 | sales@powerplus.com

See Our Other Power Posts!

Enhancing Security at Storage Facilities with Power Plus DVS

When people store trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs at storage facilities, they’re not just stashing extra vehicles and old equipment. They’re entrusting these businesses with some of their most valuable possessions — and often their livelihoods.

Storing high-value inventory like heavy-duty trucks, trailers, and construction equipment, truck yards and equipment rental yards are prime targets for cargo theft and other security threats.

It’s no secret Power Plus DVS started out in construction site security. It’s where we learned to always walk a property before designing its video surveillance system.

Back in the day, security guard companies like yours were the logical first defense against crime, vandalism, and trespassing. But in our ever-changing world – with evolving technology, higher value targets, and more shrewd criminals – yesterday’s stalwart guard services are facing unprecedented, new challenges.

As fast as today’s business world is evolving, the need for cost-effective security solutions is even more crucial than ever.

With our decades of experience working on job sites, no one has to tell Power Plus Designed Video Surveillance how monumental a job it is for you to manage your construction site.

With criminals targeting construction sites more and more, every construction project faces the same rising concern of theft. Not to mention vandalism, trespassing, and liability protection. But that’s where the similarity between your job site and any other ends.

Disaster Generators | Power Plus

Get emergency power now with disaster relief generators from Power Plus. We offer standby contracts, disaster planning, and disaster generators. Contact us now.

Learn about industrial generator rental from Power Plus and browse our selection of commercial generator rentals. Contact us anytime for emergency power needs.

Power Plus discusses here how to set up temporary power and the benefits it can provide. For today’s leading temporary power solutions, generators, disaster response services, & more contact us!

PowerPlus Generator FAQs

It is essential to remotely monitor various aspects of your generator such as battery voltage and fuel levels to avoid expensive repairs.

PowerPlus Industrial FAQ

AC and DC Generators utilize electromagnetic induction to generate electricity. In an AC Generator, the alternating current that is produced reverses direction periodically as the coil through which current flows is fixed.

An essential part of any preparedness plan for businesses is a reliable backup generator. A large backup generator for your business can reduce any interruptions during a power outage. An outage of power can occur due to weather, natural disaster, or faulty equipment.

Industrial emergency generators represent a sizable capital investment. If the emergency generator fails when called into action, it is almost always accompanied by potentially dangerous conditions and/or risk of significant financial loss.

Tragic Accident Strikes Local Power

Not long ago, a truck collided with a power pole causing a commercial and residential power outage for over 1600 customers.

Top emergency power FAQs

Emergency power provisions have become a staple for many homeowners. It can easily make the difference between comfortably weathering the storm, or suffering many inconveniences.

Read how commercial and industrial portable generators work to keep you powered wherever you are, and whatever the circumstances.

Follow these expert tips to ensure you find the best and most cost-effective industrial generator for your construction project.

Is electricity essential for your business operations? Here are 5 industries that need emergency power generators no matter what.

Find out how to select the right company to provide your site with power and keep your project running smoothly, from beginning to end.

When setting up temporary power for construction sites, certain mistakes can cause serious problems. Find out what to avoid doing.

Because job sites are so reliant on power you want to be sure you understand the ins and outs of your generator rental agreement.

Knowing what to ask before renting a generator will save you a lot of fuss when time is of the essence. Here are tips from the experts!

Not sure about the fine print in a generator rental agreement? Read more for our top tips from the experts.

An important part of any preparedness plan for businesses is the generator. A large power generator can decrease business interruption during a power outage.

Regular generator maintenance and industrial generator repair for critical power applications has become somewhat basic and routine for most critical power consumers.

Electromagnetic induction is the process through which AC and DC generators generate an electric current. The process occurs when an electric current passes through a shifting magnetic field, thereby causing the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Having a power outage is a fairly common occurrence in many schools. When it happens, equipment and appliances such as fire alarms, phone systems, computer networks and emergency lighting go off and learning activities are disrupted.

Is your business in need of an AC generator or a DC backup generator? Can you tell the difference between the types of generators available on the market and which one best fits your needs? Here is what you need to know so you can invest in the right generator for your business.

Getting power at your construction site can be a process. If you’re still figuring out what kind of temporary power you need, our recommendation is an industrial portable generator.

Renting an emergency industrial backup generator during a natural disaster or other power outage can be a challenging, if not an overwhelming undertaking. When a widespread power outage occurs, industrial rental generators become scarce very quickly.

Whether you work on a construction site or in a hospital, school, or retail business, having a plan for emergency power is imperative. The first step is to get the right industrial power equipment that will protect you during a power outage.

The clean up for the Paradise California fire is underway. Burning for more than two weeks from November 8-25 last year, the fire wreaked havoc in the city of Paradise, destroying 18,000 structures with damage totaling $16.5 billion. During the clean up phase, there are 3,000+ workers that are living in base camps in the city. Our job at Power Plus? To provide electrical power and equipment for those base camps.

Whether you work at a school, hotel, hospital, retail store or construction site, your business needs a backup generator. If there is a power outage, there can be serious consequences for your business. It can even be life and death. That's why choosing the right backup generator and finding a power company to maintain it is an important decision.

For businesses like hospitals, schools, hotels, or fire stations, having a standby generator is essential in case of an emergency. With these organizations, losing power is not an option. However, just having a standby generator isn't good enough. You need to make sure that your commercial equipment is maintained and repaired on a regular basis, so it's all ready to go when power cuts out. Any failure to maintain this equipment can result in accidents, injuries and down time causing unforeseen significant expenses.

Preparing for emergency power on your construction site can seem daunting. But it doesn't have to be. With some organization and planning, your construction site can be ready for anything. Today, you'll learn all you need to know about obtaining emergency power on your construction site.

Your construction site needs temporary power. One of the first things you do is rent a portable generator. But now what? If you have a portable generator on your construction site, then you need to consider getting some accessories to make sure it runs correctly and efficiently. Today, you'll learn which generator accessories you must have for your construction site.

Finding a temporary power company for your construction site is a pain. Or is it? It turns out that if you make sure the temporary power company you work with has these 4 qualities, you can dramatically increase your efficiency. Today, you'll learn what those 4 qualities are and how a power company with those merits will be able to help your construction site.

One of the biggest tasks on your construction site is getting power. It's one of the first things you'll need to do, as you can't work without power to operate. There are two power solutions you could use: a generator or temporary power. But which way should you go? Below you'll learn about the differences between temporary power and generators, and which one you should use for your construction site.

Obtaining temporary power for your construction site can be confusing. But it doesn't have to be. If you're organized and prepared, you can move through the process with ease. Today, you'll learn everything you need to know about choosing the right temporary power company for your construction site.

Your construction crew and subcontractors are scheduled to begin work in a month or two. Yet, you still haven’t secured temporary power for your construction site. Most likely, you’ll need temporary power poles to get enough energy for the trailers and equipment on your job site. The first step is to consult the experts. Look for temporary power companies to work with that can help you determine the power solutions you need.

Once your team has landed a construction job, it’s time to get your ducks in a row. Before getting started, you’ll need to acquire temporary power for the job site. Gathering a list of power company options that you can contact is your first step. Then, you need to prepare, prepare, prepare.

Getting temporary power for your construction site is a process. In order to develop a proposal for you, the power companies that you’re considering will need to do a site visit to determine the specific needs of the job.

Every business should have a backup generator. Without one, there would be a lot of costly delays in regaining power if there’s a power outage or natural disaster. Yet, a lot of business owners still have questions. What size generator should you get? Why does your business need a backup generator? Below you will find answers to your top questions about backup generators.

An automatic transfer switch is one of the most important components to your backup generator. The reason you have a generator is to ensure your business has emergency power. However, if you don’t have an automatic transfer switch, you will still experience costly delays in regaining power.

6 Myths about Backup Generators

Getting a backup generator for your business is imperative, whether you’re in the retail, oil, medical, or construction industry. When there’s a power outage, you can experience costly delays in your infrastructure. But choosing a generator and maintaining it isn’t always straightforward.

The good news is that you’re preparing for a power outage. You know that you need a backup generator for your emergency power. It’s a good start. But where do you go from here? It’s time to look at a few generator service providers.

When it comes to preparing for a power outage, your business is going to need emergency power. Whether you’re a construction company or a retail store, you’re going to need a backup generator. But not all of them are created equal.

You have a backup generator for your business and your automatic transfer switch is all set up in case of a power outage. But you can’t just forget about it now. You have to actively maintain your generator, so it works correctly anytime you need emergency power.

Choosing an industrial generator for your construction power is an important decision. You need temporary power that can handle your load size.

When a power outage occurs, it’s an inconvenience for your everyday person. But for a business, it can be disastrous.

Power outages and natural disasters are bound to occur. But you want your business to be prepared. Purchasing a standby generator can help you weather the storm – both literally and figuratively.

If there’s some kind of emergency or disaster, it can often leave your small business stranded without heat. If your employees are still working, you’ll need a way to make sure they don’t freeze (especially in colder climates).

As a business owner, being prepared is essential. If there’s a power outage or some type of natural disaster, you’ll need temporary power solutions to get you through.

Portable Generators Have Many Uses

A portable generator provides an ideal solution to a variety of situations for temporary, standby, and emergency power. Portable generators range from smaller tow-able 15kw generators to large 40-foot ISO containerized 2000kw generators.

Forty to sixty percent of emergency power generator failures are attributed to cooling system performance. If you have an emergency power system installed in your business, you’ll want to regularly check your oil to stay out of trouble.

Whether you’re facing winter or summer storms, take these precautions to prepare your business for a disaster or power outage – especially if you have a pet-friendly office.

Emergency Power Generator Advice

Sometimes people need a wakeup call to realize how important electrical generators for emergency power are for your business. A huge blackout or a tropical storm heading your way can be an eye-opener.

One thing is for certain -- you can avoid a major electrical blackout with an industrial emergency power system. Your business should have an industrial generator designed to assist you in a time of emergency.

When the power goes out, a portable generator can be a lifesaver for your business. But if it’s used improperly, it can also be life-threatening. There are several risks involved with portable generators.

3 Uses for Portable Generators

Portable generators are a must-have when it comes to your business. If there’s a power outage or a natural disaster, you want to be covered.

When the sun starts to come out and the flowers start to bloom, that doesn’t just mean that it’s spring. It also means that it’s time to check up on your business’s backup generator that may have weathered any storms during the winter months. Cold, wet weather may cause erosion or rust build-up. Now is the perfect time to check on the backup generator at your business.

Portable generators range from smaller tow-able 15kw generators to forty-foot ISO contained 2000kw generators. Most commonly, these portable generators are used in places that do not have access to the power grid or as an emergency unit when the grid fails.

Electricity and power are a common day necessity. For those that need backup power, you can rely on large portable generators. Industrial generators serve as emergency power or as the main power source when other resources are not available.

Industrial standby generators represent a sizable capital investment. If the standby generator fails when called into action it is almost always accompanied by potentially dangerous conditions and/or risk of significant financial loss.

The Economist, in 2007, reported that “America’s nuclear industry is about to embark on its biggest expansion in more than a generation. This will influence energy policy in the rest of the world”.

An open source platform, accessible by everyone, has been developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to help people know the answers to some unanswered questions.

Preparing for the winter ahead is essential to protecting your business. A few steps now can help avoid inconvenience, discomfort and potential catastrophe.

Maintaining the balance of supply and demand in our electrical power system is critical to accommodate the needs of the users.

Nearly 3 years after super-storm Sandy, with scientists predicting more extreme weather conditions for the future, many companies have started to consider the installation of a backup generator to provide basic electricity and water functions in case of a major natural disaster.

Construction crews in severe winter states, on a schedule of completion, are frequently faced with power outages caused by storms, and other nature related impacts.

Preparing Your Business for Natural Disasters. Seasonal Challenges. Community Responsibilities. Disaster Readiness. Preparing for the Future.

Learn how you can easily maintain your power generator. Avoid future mishaps. Provided by Power Plus located throughout the United States.

More power generated and more money saved means a greater defense force for these United States of America.

The state of New York has a rough road ahead. The state is currently being sued by local and state natural gas and coal power plant providers.

The public has always had a love-hate relationship with the very idea of nuclear energy, as can be observed by its consistent role in apocalyptic scenarios in pop culture, video games and the movies.

When a natural disaster or other emergency situations strike, what’s the first thing you’re left without? See what power generator is right for you.

Let the experts at Power Plus! find you the power generator you need for your business and install it so it will operate safely and efficiently.

During power outages, critical power failures can occur, damaging your business and affecting your profit. Here are 10 ways that you can ensure that your business has backup power during a crisis.

A complete business emergency prep plan can help address each aspect of response and the best time to develop such a plan is before disaster strikes.

Keep your home and or office ready to go in case of an unexpected outage of power. Power generator maintenance can be difficult. Contact Power Plus for assistance.

According to some survivalist, almost 80% of the population would not survive the first 100 days of the apocalypse.

Power outages are affecting business profit and production. Avoid the hassle with a reliable commercial power generator.

Permanent or portable power generators can minimize the negative effects a power outage can have on your business and or residence.

Emergency Preparedness 101

Emergency Preparedness 101. Power Plus is a leading provider of temporary power solutions throughout the United States and Canada.

If you’re having trouble with your industrial portable generator, you’re in the right place! We can help you get up and running quickly, minimizing downtime and associated expenses.

When renting a portable diesel generator you need to consider how you are going to get the power from the generator to your project or event.

What on Earth are you doing? Most of us have been asked a variation of this question in regards to how we are negatively affecting the environment.

As a leader in providing commercial power generators, Power Plus! can assist you with determining the needs of your business to accommodate your power needs during a power outage caused by winter’s elements, or other power outage situation.

All health care professionals should take the necessary precautions by having a back up generator to use if necessary.

Power Plus is your one-stop source for all of your power generator needs. For repair, sales, rentals, installation and maintenance, we can handle your power generator requirements.

Don’t wait until the power goes out to have a standby power system in place. Contact Power Plus for all of your back up power needs.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a temporary power provider for your construction site. Here you will learn two major aspects you must start to consider.

When using a generator during a power outage, follow these safety tips to help you keep your house up and running.

Choosing between temporary power poles or an industrial generator rental is a decision that comes up often when starting a new construction project. Determining which method of temporary power would be cost effective is not always obvious, and managers occasionally struggle making that decision.

An important part of any preparedness plan for businesses is the generator. A large power generator can decrease business interruption during a power outage.

With summer at our doorstep, it’s time to prepare for the insanely hot weather it brings with it. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are not ways that you want to enjoy the weather.

We received an emergency call where the customer stated that unit would not start. We found that the generator controller was providing an intermittent start signal.

This job has had some challenges from the start to say the least! It's a multi-million dollar aquarium that will house several different marine life, including a dolphin exhibit.

During an inspection for Sunrise Senior Living at Grosse Point, MI, Roger Herring found that one of the rear freeze plugs was leaking antifreeze between the generator end and the engine and it would require both items to be separated for replacement.

Corporate Headquarters

Service Always Available

We Answer Our Phones 24/7

Generator Rental

Generator Installs

Generator Consulting

Generator Service

Emergency Services

Digital Video Surveillance

Products & Services

Case Studies

FAQs

Electric Power Grids and Open Source Technology

Energy Changes and Looking Forward

The Crowd is Gathering

Information Gathering

See Our Other Power Posts!