Columbia Communications Base Station Inverter Grid-Connected Maintenance Project

4 FAQs about Columbia Communications Base Station Inverter Grid-Connected Maintenance Project

How do inverters provide grid services?

In order to provide grid services, inverters need to have sources of power that they can control. This could be either generation, such as a solar panel that is currently producing electricity, or storage, like a battery system that can be used to provide power that was previously stored.

How does a grid forming inverter work?

Grid-forming inverters can start up a grid if it goes down—a process known as black start. Traditional “grid-following” inverters require an outside signal from the electrical grid to determine when the switching will occur in order to produce a sine wave that can be injected into the power grid.

How can communications support the grid of the future?

Ensuring the reliable and resilient delivery of electrical energy is critical for the U.S. economy, which increasingly relies on secure communications systems to support grid operations. Adapting to the grid of the future requires a comprehensive understanding of the differences between communication technologies that support grid operations.

What is grid communication?

Much of grid communication is performed over purpose-built communication networks owned and maintained by grid utilities. Broadly speaking, grid communication systems are comprised of multiple transport technologies and protocols carried by a variety of media.