EoW May 2010

technology news

Web-based service protects critical power lines

Subsea capacity expansion

Improved cutting performance

Global Crossing has announced that a significant expansion of capacity on its Mid-Atlantic crossing (MAC®), South American crossing (SAC®) and Pan American crossing (PAC®) undersea fibre optic cable systems is to be rolled out over the next six months. John Legere, Global Crossing’s CEO, explained: “The investments we’re making are in response to the continued demand Global Crossing is experiencing across our global network for broadband services such as video over IP, social media and content delivery networks.” Global Crossing's MAC undersea system includes approximately 4,600 route miles (7,500km) of fibre optic cable. MAC connects Global Crossing’s PAC, SAC and Atlantic Crossing-1 (AC-1®) subsea systems to provide full connectivity between North America, Latin America and Europe. The MAC system provides IP and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) services at rates up to 10Gbps or STM-64. The PAC submarine cable network spans over 6,000 route miles (10,000km), connecting the United States to Mexico, Central and South America. It comprises a self-healing ring and wavelength division multiplexing technology. Global Crossing's SAC system includes approximately 12,000 route miles (20,000km) of fibre optic cable. It is a four-fibre-pair repeatered system providing 10Gbps transport. Global Crossing – USA Website : www.globalcrossing.com

Infoterra has launched AssetMonitor, a new submarine asset protection service aimed at protecting valuable underwater assets – such as electricity and telecoms cables and oil and gas pipelines – from accidental damage by anchors and fishing activity. The company has also announced that the Channel Islands Electricity Grid (CIEG), a joint venture between Guernsey Electricity and Jersey Electricity, is the first organisation to deploy AssetMonitor, and will use it to protect the two 90,000 volt submarine cables that supply power and fibre optic communications from France to Jersey and onwards to Guernsey. Damage to undersea assets due to shipping is a significant global problem, resulting in interrupted services and expensive repairs. Current trends show that incidences of submarine asset damage are likely to increase with the deployment of offshore wind farms and marine turbines. Infoterra’s AssetMonitor solution uses live shipping vessel positions and data from the shipboard Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcast system – in conjunction with Route Position Lists for undersea assets – to generate automatic warnings when an asset may be at risk due to shipping activity. AssetMonitor enables the customer to define protection zones around its cables or pipelines and to configure rules based upon AIS data to identify vessels that may be a hazard, for example, vessels that are trying to anchor or dragging anchor close to the cables. If a vessel breaks one of the rules in the protection zone, then a warning will automatically be raised in the organisation’s control room. Email and SMS messages can then be triggered, depending upon the severity of the event. “The Jersey and Guernsey submarine cables are a key part of the Channel Islands infrastructure, supplying some 97 per cent of Jersey’s and up to 80 per cent of Guernsey’s annual electricity requirements. The cables also carry high capacity fibre optic communication cables that allow the Channel Islands’ financial services sector to operate globally on a 24/7 basis. Clearly, any interruption to either service would have significant implications for the economy of both Guernsey and Jersey,” commented Sally-Ann David, director of Channel Islands Electricity Grid. Infoterra Ltd – UK Website : www.infoterra.co.uk

Hydropulsor AB has recently launched an enhanced version of its cutter HYP30-15. The machine cuts wire and rod with a diameter up to 15mm; a new improved feeder system gives a length accuracy of ±0.02mm.

Hydropulsor’s HYP30-15 cutter ▲ ▲

Three of the enhanced HYP30-15 machines have recently been delivered to the United States: one delivered to a wire company and two machines have been delivered to HVIT LLC in Elgin, Illinois. HVIT LLC cuts and cold forms materials for customers and is also a distributor of Hydropulsor products in North America.

Hydropulsor AB – Sweden Email : info@hydropulsor.com Website : www.hydropulsor.com

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EuroWire – May 2010