wiredinUSA March 2015

16-17 / 78

wiredInUSA - March 2015 wiredInUSA - March 2015 17 16
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will add solar energy to its
generation assets following the Indiana utility regulatory
commission's approval of the company’s plans for five solar
facilities with a combined capacity of nearly 16MW.
Three of the facilities will be in the Michiana area, including
two in St Joseph County, and one near Watervliet, Michigan.
A fourth will be in Marion, Indiana, and a fifth location is yet
to be finalized.
“Our Clean Energy solar pilot project is a significant step
forward for Indiana Michigan Power,” said Paul Chodak
III, I&M’s president and chief operating officer. “This
historic utility-scale solar project will further diversify I&M’s
generation sources, creating flexibility to economically
and reliably provide energy under a multitude of potential
circumstances.”
“Most importantly, I&M will own and operate these facilities
andgainfirst-handexperience in thedesignandconstruction
of utility-scale solar projects as well as integrating solar
energy reliably into the grid,” Chodak added.
The four confirmed facilities will be on I&M property near
existing and future I&M substations, minimizing the cost of
delivering the energy to the transmission grid.
The estimated cost of the project is $38 million. Indiana
Michigan Power operates 3,595MW of coal-fired generation
in Indiana, 2,110MW of nuclear generation in Michigan and
22MW of hydro generation in both states. The company also
provides 250MW of purchased wind generation.
Generating variety
At IWCS 2014, Saco Polymers
showcased its latest development in
ceramifiablecompound technology,
with a research paper and poster
highlighting the potential cost savings
and performance of the material in
tray cable jacketing applications.
Formulated to meet stringent UL 1277
tray cable standards, with enhanced
fire performance properties while
preserving flexibility, the new
ceramifiable compound extends the
range of halogen-free compounds
available from Saco Polymers. The
new compound technology can also
be used in other high performance
cable applications.
The research paper was presented
by Zdenka B Stryczek PhD and David
G Roberts, MS chief technology
officer. The poster illustrates the
use of ceramifiable technology
in compound formulation and
the science behind strong char
formation in cable jackets when
exposed to fire. This new technology
may be applied to different cable
constructions where enhanced fire
retardant properties, flexibility and
fire resistance are required.
The poster won the best poster award
at IWCS 2014.
Poster showcase