Infrastructure Management

⚡ The official report on the Iberian blackout confirms it was mainly a voltage instability event. The system had already experienced "intense voltage fluctuations" in the days before the incident. Wide-area oscillations prompted the system operator to increase grid meshing and reduce exports to France. These measures, unfortunately, decreased line flows, which paradoxically raised voltages due to the line charging effect, causing power plants to trip on over-voltage. This triggered a cascading failure, worsened by some plants tripping improperly before voltage limits were reached. The main conclusion from the report is a "lack of voltage control resources"; either they were poorly scheduled, or those allocated failed to provide sufficient power, despite an overall adequate generating capacity.   🔦 For the voltage control to be effective, it is important to consider the difference between high R/X and low R/X ratio systems. In high-voltage grids (transmission networks), which typically have a low R/X ratio, voltage magnitude is primarily sensitive to reactive power. Here, the voltage drop can be approximated by ignoring resistance and focusing on the reactive component. This is why traditional grid operators use reactive power to regulate voltage in these systems. Conversely, in low voltage (LV) systems and distribution networks, the high R/X ratio means voltage magnitude is more sensitive to active power injection. In these systems, the effect of resistance is significant, and the voltage drop approximation includes both active and reactive components. For instance, a PV plant can regulate voltage by reducing active power injection or providing negative reactive power, as per standards like IEEE 1547-2018. If reactive power alone is insufficient, active power control, which involves elements such as heat pumps, electric vehicles (EVs), or battery storage, may be necessary.   🪫 A notable point from the Iberian blackout report is the recommendation to "allow asynchronous installations to apply power electronics solutions to manage voltage fluctuations." This indicates that the voltage control capabilities of inverter-based resources (IBRs) were not fully utilised. Although IBRs offer considerable potential, challenges persist, particularly for real-time smart inverter Volt/Var Control (VVC). These include susceptibility to control instability caused by incorrect parameter selection, as smart inverter settings are sensitive to feeder configuration and operating conditions. An inappropriate droop (slope) setting can lead to control instability or voltage oscillations. There is an inherent trade-off between maintaining control stability and achieving accurate set-point tracking, which can cause voltage violations. Additionally, the non-adaptability of droop VVC to changing conditions can hinder deployment. #blackout #renewables #gridmodernization #powerelectronics #gridforming #voltage #cleanenergy

🤔 How BYD Solve the Grid Nightmare of Megawatt Charging? Let's look closer to BYD’s new All-Liquid-Cooled Megawatt Charger, isn’t just about speed. It’s a masterclass in redefining charging infrastructure economics. 🔌🔋 ⚡ The "Impossible Math" Solved Traditional megawatt charging requires a 1,600kVA transformer ($$$$), brutal grid loads, and $$$ civil works. BYD’s system?   - Transformer Size Slashed: 315kVA (80% smaller!) → cuts grid strain and saves $40k/year in post-2030 utility fees.   - Cost Halved: Total station build drops from ~$70k to $15k (transformer + construction).   - Secret Sauce: Integrated 225kWh battery storage buffers grid demand, enabling 1MW charging with a fraction of the power draw.  🔋 Storage Meets Speed: The Killer Combo   - 5-Minute 400km Charge: Matches gas station speed, no swap stations needed.   - Grid-Friendly: Storage absorbs peak loads, avoiding costly grid upgrades.   - Profit Play: Off-peak charging + peak discharge turns stations into virtual power plants (VPPs).  🌍 Why This Will Go Viral  1. Scalability: Tiny footprint + low grid dependency = rapid nationwide rollout.   2. Policy Proof: Dodges post-2030 “basic electricity fee” traps (saves ~$4k/month per station).   3. Storage Gold Rush: Each charger needs a battery – 3M+ EVs in China alone could birth a $30B+ storage market (bigger than commercial & industrial ESS!).  📊 BYD vs. Traditional Chargers   Metric        BYD’s System | Legacy Megawatt Charger Transformer Size 315kVA | 1,600kVA Build Cost $15k | $50k+ Grid Impact   Low (storage-buffered) | High (direct grid pull) ROI Timeline    <3 years | 5–7 years 🔥 The Bigger Picture   “This isn’t just charging – it’s energy infrastructure democratization,” said Lian Yubo, BYD’s Engineering VP. With 4,000+ stations planned, BYD is turning every charger into a grid asset, not a liability.  💡 Question:   Could this model make standalone ESS projects obsolete?  #BYD #EnergyStorage #EVCharging #SmartGrid #Innovation  

Gujarat alone makes for 66.5% of India’s LNG terminal capacity 🙌 Until two days ago, it was also the site for 50% of the country's under-construction LNG capacity. Then Shell announced a monumental plan to expand its Hazira terminal in Gujarat from 6.7mtpa to 26.7mtpa! When you factor this in, Gujarat's share of all under-construction capacity skyrockets to an astonishing 70% .. Over the past ten days, I have been engaged in a deep dive into India’s LNG ecosystem, and my findings reveal a story of incredible strategic concentration. Let me be clear about what my analysis shows. - One single state controls two-thirds of India's current LNG import capacity and is on track to control over 70% of its future capacity - The immediate assumption for many might be that this is a result of political favouritism, given the home state of the Prime Minister and Home Minister However, my research indicates that this conclusion is flawed. .. The key lies in geography. - For the vast, energy-hungry northern heartland of India, Gujarat’s coastline is the closest and most logical maritime gateway - Its ports are strategically positioned to receive LNG imports destined for these landlocked regions This also explains a fascinating disparity I found in the numbers. While Gujarat commands nearly 70% of LNG infrastructure, its own internal consumption - including industrial, power, and city gas networks - accounts for about 37% of India's total natural gas use. .. So, what happens to the enormous surplus capacity? It is the lifeline for other states. The LNG infrastructure in and from Gujarat is deliberately overbuilt to serve as the primary supply hub for Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and the broader northern region. This entire strategic ecosystem is made possible by a massive arterial network of pipelines running from Gujarat’s coast into the nation's interior, a testament to a highly sophisticated and geographically driven energy strategy. Nice, right! Did you know this? .. PS: I share several biz/economy deepdives daily, with 33k+ people on WhatsApp. Do check out here: https://lnkd.in/dfWQgxKd Best, Jayant Mundhra

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈. AI will have a profound impact on the workforce at both SAP itself and SAP consulting companies. Some jobs will likely become obsolete as AI proves to be faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. Other roles will not only survive but flourish, as AI enhances their scope and enables new levels of innovation and efficiency. 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 ❌ AI-powered test automation will eliminate most manual SAP testing. Who survives? Test engineers skilled in AI-assisted test automation. 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐂𝐂/𝐒/𝟒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐀) ❌ AI can generate and optimize standard ABAP code automatically. Who survives? SAP BTP developers (working on event-driven architectures, AI-powered extensions). 𝐋𝐨𝐰-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 (𝐋𝟏 & 𝐋𝟐 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤) ❌ AI chatbots & predictive issue resolution will replace many support tickets. Who survives? AI-powered SAP support strategists. 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 ❌ AI tools (like ChatGPT, Jasper, and SAP AI Copilots) can generate marketing copy, blog articles, and product descriptions in seconds. Who survives? AI-enhanced content strategists who focus on brand differentiation, thought leadership & SAP-specific narratives. 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 🚀 Why? AI-driven business processes require strategic alignment & implementation. Future-proof skills: AI-powered business process optimization, SAP AI integration, SAP AI ethics. 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 & 𝐄𝐑𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 🚀 Why? AI-driven SAP solutions are moving to cloud-native & hybrid environments. Future-proof skills: SAP BTP, AI-enhanced workflow automation 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 🚀 Why? AI-driven RPA, intelligent workflows & autonomous supply chains will reshape SAP implementations. Future-proof skills: SAP Intelligent RPA, AI-driven BPM, process mining. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭? ✔ Learn AI-driven SAP tools (SAP Joule, Datasphere, AI Core, SAP AI API development). ✔ Shift from execution (configuration & support) to AI-powered strategy & process optimization. ✔ Develop hybrid skills (AI, cloud-native SAP, data analytics, cybersecurity). AI isn’t replacing SAP experts or eliminating consultant jobs—it’s shaping a new generation of 𝐀𝐈-𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐑𝐏 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬. Those who adapt to this shift early will be leading the disruption, not just surviving it. Do you agree? #sap #ai #technology #jobs

What is voltage regulation? Why does it matter? And how do people improve it? Everyone has probably seen the lights at a restaurant dim a little when the heaters in a fryer turn on. The lights dim due to the additional load drawing more current and causing the voltage to drop. As the current flows through the step-down transformer and the wires’ impedance, there are a series of voltage drops as described by V=I*Z. Most loads are either largely resistive, or also have a reactive component that exists to support a magnetic field, like motors. Because of this, most loads operate at or below unity power factor and tend to pull voltage down as load increases. Loads that can occasionally cause a voltage rise are power electronic loads and unloaded or overexcited synchronous machines, as they can operate capacitively. Voltage regulation is the ability of the system to maintain relatively constant voltage with changing load. If load is high, voltage tends to dip. The opposite can also be true. When load is low, voltage can drift up. The definition of voltage regulation is: Voltage Regulation = (|V_no_load| - |V_full_load|) / |V_full_load| How important is it to have good voltage regulation? Grid voltage under non-contingency conditions usually stays within about ±5 percent. That is not necessarily what arrives at your outlet. The NEC guidance is typically around 5 percent voltage drop to the farthest outlet. Stacked together, utilization voltage can approach around -10 percent, or about 108 V on a 120 V base. On the high side, +5 percent would be about 126 V. Most equipment tolerates a wider range, but poor regulation still shows up as dimming lights, reduced motor torque, overheating, and nuisance trips. How is voltage regulation managed? If regulation is unacceptable, the grid uses shunt capacitor banks and reactors that can be switched in to raise or lower voltage. Shunt reactors are less common, as low voltage is usually the problem. They are used in situations like low system loading where natural capacitance raises voltage or there are excess capacitance in comparison to the load like with underground cables. On the customer side, voltage is usually only actively managed by large industrial consumers. They place capacitor banks inside their facilities to help manage voltage, especially where large motors dominate, and may use on-load tap changers as load shifts. One thing that may be interesting with very large data centers, on the order of 1 GW, is that they may start to see voltage drifting up due to the capacitive nature of their power electronics. Most customer facilities are designed such that voltage stays roughly within -10 percent to +5 percent under normal conditions, largely by limiting conductor impedance. Utilities and large customers will switch capacitors and reactors and adjust taps as needed. #utilites #renewables #datacenters #electricalengineering

🔍 Ever faced unexpected voltage drops in your distribution network? ⚠️ Low voltage issues can lead to inefficient power delivery, equipment failures, and customer complaints. But why does it happen? And more importantly, how can we fix it? ⚠️ Here are 6 common causes of low voltage problems in distribution lines—and the best ways to fix them! 🔹 1️⃣ Overloaded Transformers ✅ Cause: Transformers operating beyond their rated capacity fail to maintain voltage levels. ✅ Fix: Upgrade to higher-rated transformers, optimize load distribution, or add additional transformers. 🔹 2️⃣ Long Distribution Feeder Lengths ✅ Cause: The longer the feeder, the greater the voltage drop due to resistance. ✅ Fix: Use voltage regulators, install capacitors, and choose conductors with lower resistance. 🔹 3️⃣ Poor Conductor Sizing ✅ Cause: Undersized conductors create excessive resistance, causing voltage drops. ✅ Fix: Select larger cross-sectional area conductors based on load and distance. 🔹 4️⃣ Weak Voltage Regulation ✅ Cause: Faulty or inadequate voltage regulators lead to unstable supply. ✅ Fix: Install Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs), capacitor banks, and voltage-controlled transformers. 🔹 5️⃣ High Reactive Power Demand ✅ Cause: Poor power factor results in voltage drops across the system. ✅ Fix: Install capacitor banks or synchronous condensers to improve power factor and stabilize voltage. 🔹 6️⃣ Faulty Connections & Corroded Joints ✅ Cause: Loose or corroded connections cause resistance buildup and voltage drops. ✅ Fix: Conduct regular maintenance, use infrared thermography for fault detection, and secure all connections. 🔧 Final Thoughts ✔️ Voltage drops can be prevented with proper planning, maintenance, and the right equipment. ✔️ Regular system checks ensure long-term reliability and efficiency. Have you ever tackled a low voltage issue in a distribution network? What was your solution? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇⚡ #ElectricalEngineering #PowerDistribution #VoltageDrop #PowerSystems

Modern data center strategy has become a strategic differentiator in the AI era. Leaders can no longer rely on hybrid-by-default environments shaped by fragmented cloud, colocation, and on-premises decisions. Instead, a deliberate, hybrid-by-design approach is now essential to scale innovation, manage risk, and enhance value across cloud, on-premises, colocation, and edge.    In our latest Deloitte perspective (https://deloi.tt/4rkttVw), my colleagues Lou DiLorenzo, Jagjeet Gill, Heather Rangel, and I outline practical steps for leaders driving this shift, including:    🟢 Intentional workload placement based on latency, control, data sovereignty, economics, and resiliency needs 🟢 Strategic segmentation of AI-intensive workloads to manage compute, power, and cooling demands 🟢 Transparent economics that tie infrastructure cost to business value 🟢 Built-in governance across hybrid environments through standardized controls and automation The goal is not incremental modernization, but intentional architecture that turns complexity into advantage and enables resilient, responsible AI at scale.    Proud of our team's work in helping organizations build forward-thinking data center strategies and leading our hybrid infrastructure managed services, led by Erin Abbey, Rahul Bajpai, Micah Bible, Megan Ellis, Christian Grant, Kelly Marchese, Nicholas Merizzi, and Myke Miller. Let me know if building a hybrid-by-design strategy is top of mind for your organization in 2026; would love to connect! 

Deliverability rules changed 🚨 Most GTM teams didn’t. That’s the problem, that's killing your Outbound.   Here’s a step by step guide to play by the new rules as discussed in last Monday’s webinar with ZeroBounce (recap below, plus slides 👇):   1. Deliverability has gotten brutal - ESPs now enforce SPF/DKIM/DMARC - Sending limits: as low as 30/day (!) - Open-tracking pixels + links = red flags - Treat deliverability like infra.   2. KPIs to live by - Bounce rate < 5% - Spam-complaint rate < 0.1% - Positive reply rate > 25% - Forget opens, replies are your real signal.   3. Stack smart, and send smarter ✅ Warm up inboxes 2–3 weeks (ZeroBounce helps) ✅ Mix inbox providers (Google + Microsoft) ✅ Match sender ↔ recipient (Google → Gmail) ✅ Pause weak performers weekly   4. Data hygiene = deliverability - Always validate emails with tools like ZeroBounce - Drop catch-alls & risky emails - Analyze why emails are invalid → fix source   5. Personalize or perish ✍️ - AI can segment, enrich, write, but the offer must land - ~60% variation per send to beat filters - Clay + Twain = to scale with relevance   6. Multichannel for resilience - If email bounces, use LinkedIn. - Use buyer signals (site visits, job changes) to stay warm.   Huge thanks to everyone who joined us on Monday's webinar 🙏 Special shoutout to ZeroBounce for hosting and powering the deliverability infra.   Want the slides? 1. Make sure we are connected 2. Drop a “SLIDES” in the comments and I’ll send them over. 3. Repost for early access 😉   #deliverability #coldemail #outbound #salesops #gtm #salesstrategy #emailmarketing #b2bsales

We don’t need flying cars. Sometimes, the smartest cities are built on simple, sustainable solutions. Small steps that change the world. Japan is rewriting the rules of urban energy—by turning sidewalks, train stations, and bridges into power plants. ↳ 1,400 kWh of electricity generated daily at Tokyo Station—just from footsteps. ↳ 0.1 watts per footstep, but 3.1% of a building’s energy needs met by high-traffic zones. ↳ 253% surge in solar-paneled rental homes since 2024, paired with piezoelectric innovation. But here’s what’s even more fascinating: 1. How Japan Powers Cities with Every Step Piezoelectric floors at Shibuya Station capture energy from 500,000+ daily commuters, powering LED screens and ticket gates. Bridges like those in Ashiya City convert car vibrations into streetlight energy, cutting grid reliance. 2. Real-World Impact ↳ Tokyo Station’s 25m² floor generates enough daily energy to power 1,400 LED streetlights for 30 seconds each. ↳ Fujisawa City Hall uses piezoelectric tiles to offset 0.5% of its annual energy needs, equivalent to powering 12 homes for a year. Shopping malls and airports with high foot traffic now self-power signage and sensors, slashing operational costs by up to 15%. 3. The Bigger Picture Japan’s €1 trillion Green Transformation Plan aims for 40–50% renewable energy by 2040, with piezoelectric tech playing a key role. Early trials show cities like Yokohama could save €19 million annually in healthcare costs by reducing emissions tied to traditional energy1012. Challenges? Current piezoelectric materials only convert 5–15% of mechanical energy to electricity. Yet costs are projected to drop 30–50% by 2030 as production scales. A Must: How we address the Surge for Energy: Global electricity demand from data centers—driven largely by AI—is projected to more than double to around 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually by 2030, roughly equivalent to Japan’s current total electricity consumption! This isn’t just about tech. It’s about designing cities that work for people—where every step, drive, or breeze contributes to a cleaner future. Simple choices. Massive impact. ♻️ Repost to inspire smarter cities. Follow Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld for more on urban innovation.

Data centers have created a grid reliability problem. That problem is leading to commercial opportunities for our industry.. How so? Two days ago, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a rare Level 3 alert, stating the action was necessary to “address the risks posed by existing and new computational loads interacting with the bulk power system (BPS), inclusive of computational load interconnecting with collocated generation.” Translated: There have been several instances of data centers unexpectedly dropping load or oscillating demand rapidly, creating reliability concerns. The fundamental issue NERC identified is the lack of (1) modeling in advance and (2) information in real time about how data centers are interacting with the grid. As a result, NERC issued this alert on Monday, strongly suggesting that RTOs, ISOs, utilities and other grid operations take seven specific actions, including collecting more data on large computational loads and modeling the impacts of minor grid events, as well as installing high-speed monitoring devices at certain data centers to enable analysis of any grid disturbances. In a related regulatory move, NERC is also proposing companies with computational loads in excess of 20 MW (think hyperscalers) to register with NERC. This would mark the first time that these companies would be direlty subject to NERC’s reliability standards. So…where’s the commerical opportuity? NERC has identified issues with predicting, modeling and managing the ever increasing data center load. Companies that can do just those things are going to be in very high demand. Similarly, storage assets attached to computational load can smooth out the performance and predictability of those loads, strengthening the business case for storage attachment. Additionally, NERC’s actions, in an odd way, confirm that data center load growth isn’t simply a prediction for the future. It is already happening at a scale large enough to impact grid reliability. So…how do you see this impacting your development timelines? Growth opportunities? Utilization of storage and software to provide better performance and stronger analytics?