S&C Opens Advanced Technology Center in Chicago

Feb. 1, 2010
S&C Electric Co. has opened its new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Chicago.

S&C Electric Co. has opened its new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Chicago.

The ATC features a high-power testing laboratory that will enable S&C to test its smart grid products at home rather than at labs outside the United States, as it was limited to in the past, thus accelerating the development and delivery of solutions critical to integrating renewable energy resources to the grid — particularly at the distribution level. Such innovations include the automatic service restoration, energy storage and power quality equipment needed for the smart grid.

In addition to accelerating innovation, this advanced testing facility also provides a location for independent quality and performance verification testing, which customers often require before deploying equipment on their systems. The ATC will also house S&C’s research and development offices, plus expanded polymer molding operations.

Additionally, the newly completed lab has already proven beneficial as part of S&C’s research and development process in demonstrating how existing solutions can be enhanced. Fault interruption testing performed on S&C’s Fault Filter Electronic Power Fuse, for example, demonstrated the fuse’s current-limiting capability, and will permit select models to be assigned an increased interrupting rating — from 40,000 to 63,000 amperes symmetrical.

The 43,000-square-foot ATC is environmentally friendly, and it is the first industrial building in Chicago to be Gold-Certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It features a “green” roof garden and fully complies with the City of Chicago’s Green Building Policy. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley attended the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2008, along with a host of civic leaders representing city, state, and federal governments, as well as the city’s Rogers Park community

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