Electrical Research Institute
Instituto de Investigaciones Eléctricas (IIE)
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Summary of Contents
1.
COMPANY BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATION......................................................................... 3
2.
INVESTIGATION & DEVELOPMENT + INNOVATION (I & D + I) .................................................... 3
3.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING ......................................................... 5
4.1
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ......................................................................................................... 7
4.2
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES ................................................................................................ 11
4.3
ELECTRIC SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................ 15
4.4
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ..................................................................................................... 19
5.
SUPPORT CAPABILITIES ............................................................................................................. 23
6.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENVIROMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ..................................... 25
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1.
COMPANY BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATION
The Electric Research Institute (IIE) was created by Presidential Decree on behalf of the
Mexican Government on the first of December, 1975, as a decentralized organization with
its own legal identity and patrimony, whose assignment was scientific and technical in
nature.
IIE is Mexico’s research center dedicated to the electric and oil industries. Its main
objectives are to carry out innovation, technological research and development; to
provide engineering and technical services, training, and the commercialization of the
results of research and technological development in electrical generation, transmission
and distribution processes and improvement oil processes.
The IIE is backed up by an organizational structure that enables it to perform and
accomplish its purpose, which is to contribute to technological innovation, scientific
research and development of the energy sector. The IIE strives to strengthen technological
institutions and channel their efforts in the fields of processes, equipment and systems in
order to increase competitiveness in the electric power and energy sectors, not just in
Mexico but abroad as well.
Mission
To promote and support innovation through value-adding applied research and
technological development to increase the competitiveness of the electrical industry and
other industries with related needs.
Vision
To be the national leading institute in innovation shaped by prestigious scientists and
technologists whose results impel the sustentable development of the country.
2.
INVESTIGATION & DEVELOPMENT + INNOVATION (I & D + I)
To accomplish its mission of promoting and supporting innovation through value-adding
applied research and technological development of the electrical and oil sectors and
other industries with related needs, the IIE counts with the support of four technical
areas.
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2.1 Energy sources
For a clean energy we set the way towards tomorrow´s energy.
We do research and technological developments to take advantage of the non
conventional energies, so we can maintain the energy sector in perfect harmony with the
environment.
We emphasize the incursion in any alternative of renewable energy such as solar, wind,
photovoltaic, geothermal and nuclear, so it promotes the development of safe and
reliable technological innovations, as well as quality environment and safety systems
2.2 Enabling Technologies
For a safe energy we create technological solutions to change the world.
We do applied research and we develop advanced technology that offers efficacy and
efficiency of the main processes of the energy sector.
We generate knowledge in our specialty fields such as the improvement of processes,
control, simulation and advanced information systems that contribute to the search of a
better standard of living.
2.3 Electrical Systems
For the energy innovation we develop the solutions for the future of energy.
We contribute to the precise operation of the electric sector. We work for the best
performance of the installed equipment so we reach the efficiency of energy and define
new techniques and elements to put the sector up to date.
Through the operative analysis of power networks, equipment and lines of transmission
and distribution, we propose the most convenient scenarios for the national electric
system.
2.4 Mechanical Systems
For an efficient energy we design the technologies that reach their optimization.
We offer solutions that generate enough electric energy, with reliability and efficiency,
protecting the environment.
We improve the operation and use of equipments, the structures and facilities to take
advantage of the primary energy and national fuels.
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3.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING
The following charts outlines in detail the structure of the IIE.
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The IIE has a staff of over 1300, of which some 750 are professional and technical
personnel. The current staff composition is shown as follows:
Composition of IIE Staff
Researchers Staff
Technical Staff
Administrative and Other Support Staff
Total Staff
687
75
552
1, 314
Office Locations
IIE operates and maintains offices as follows:
Head Office
Reforma 113, Col. Palmira, C.P. 62490 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Telephone: +52 (777) 362 3842;
+52 (777) 362 3811 ext. 7613
E Mail: comercializacion@iie.org.mx
Sitio Web: iie.org.mx
Branch Offices
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4.
SERVICES PROVIDED
The range of sectors in which IIE provides specialized consulting services includes:
4.1
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
At the Alternative Energies Division, we develop methodologies and projects for the
exploration and explotation of energy resources locked deep within the subsoil, which
includes both petroleum and geothermal energies; technologies to take better advantage
of nonconventional energy sources (solar, wind, biomass and micro hydroelectricity), as
well as methodologies to safely and reliably operate nuclear power plants and oil & gas
installations.
Our most recent contributions include implementation of photovoltaic systems connected
to electricity networks in extreme climatic zones, the production of electric power that is
channeled into electric power networks by means of triphasic photovoltaic systems and
the monitoring of production at oil wells by means of autonomous hybrid systems based
on renewable energy. In addition, there was the consolidation of the Regional Center for
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Wind Power Technology, which will become the national training center with the aim to
make optimum use of wind resources in the Isthmus-Gulf region.
By using the newest technologies in the areas of reliability and industrial safety, we
continue to offer support in determining the root cause of events that result in deferred
production of crude oil, as well as in reliability-centered maintenance at gas processing
centers. We developed a thermo-hydraulic model for the reactor vessel at the Laguna
Verde Nuclear Power Plant (CNLV), which will enable preemptive assessment of normal
and transitory operating conditions.
In the area of geothermal energy, geological and hydrogeochemical studies have been
undertaken that provide support in following up on the conditions of geothermal
reservoirs under exploitation and to program new wells. Similarly, we carried out studies
for controlling infiltration of connate waters during exploitation of oil deposits.
Our actions take into consideration economic, environmental and social aspects, and the
purpose of our projects is to reduce electric power production costs by employing nuclear
technology and renewable energy while maintaining suitable safety levels during
operation.
We will continue to work in areas related to the exploitation of renewable energy sources,
the optimal utilization of energy resources and will focus our actions on the protection of
the environment.
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Technological capabilities
Nuclear Energy Department
• Probability based Risk Analysis (APR), levels 1 and 2, for nuclear power plants.
• Support for the implementation of reliability centered maintenance programs.
• Development of thermohydraulic models for specific systems in nuclear power
plants and analysis of their dynamics under normal and accident conditions.
Non-Conventional Energy Department
• Assessment of energy potential of renewable energy resources.
• Design of photovoltaic-wind-diesel hybrid systems.
• Wind power plants (detailed design, consulting services).
Geothermal Energy Department
• Development of conceptual models for geothermal systems.
• Isotopic studies to define the origin and migration of formation waters at oil
fields.
• Petrophysical and rock mechanic studies
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Areas of research
• Safety technology and nuclear process modeling.
• Assessment and mapping of renewable energy resources.
• Subsoil energy resources.
Technical and support infrastructure
• Our personnel are highly specialized and we have state of the art tools to carry
out: deterministic analysis of transitory events and serious accidents, as well as
specialized thermoahydraulic calculations for engineering nuclear power plants.
• Regional Wind Technology Center.
• Petrophysical and rock mechanics.
Specialized technical services
• Assessment and characterization of non-conventional energy resources at sites
of interest.
• Studies as to the pertophysical and mechanical properties of wellbores under
reservoir conditions.
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4.2
Enabling Technologies
The Enabling Technologies Division has the capacity to develop and apply support
technologies such as instrumentation, measurement, control, telecommunications,
simulation, as well as software for operation, management and training, amongst others.
These technologies
are essential to the satisfactory performance of the electric power industry’s core
processes: production, transmission, distribution and commercialization, and contribute
to the energy efficiency expected by this industrial sector. These capabilities can also be
applied to other industries with similar needs.
We carry out the modernization of control systems for electric power production and
other processes with the aim to re-establish efficient operation. Also, we design, build and
put in operation integrated metering systems with the capacity for remote reading,
detection of power theft and energy balance calculations which contribute to reduction of
power falloffs. In a different line of services, we build three dimensional models for a
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variety of processes and installations, for design, maintenance, operators’ training and
modernization purposes.
Additionally, there is the development of intelligent support technologies for online
monitoring, operation, automation, as well as preemptive and diagnostic maintenance,
and the detection and rectification of faults in processes and systems associated with the
electric power industry. These technologies contribute to improving efficiency, continuity
and quality of the electricity supplied.
Companies burdened by increasing competition receive support from our advanced
training systems; these are base on dynamic simulators, intelligent tutoring systems for
self-training and distance learning, as well as non-immersive and immersive systems
based on virtual reality, amongst other technologies. These systems can be applied to
educate or develop the abilities of personnel in operations, maintenance, engineering
and other areas, constituting a strategic element for maintaining and updating the knowhow of the specialized personnel that companies need in order to keep operating at
standards of efficiency and quality expected throughout the world.
In another line of work, we provide support to upper management in power companies by
developing cutting edge software systems for the operational and strategic management
of companies with features and functionalities such as corporate portals, strategic
planning, control panels, knowledge and technology management, quality management,
data mining, mobile alerts and warnings, and intelligent agents, amongst others.
We will continue to focus our lines of research and development on these support
technologies, and in aspects that provide greater value to companies in the electricity
sector in particular, and the energy sector in general, to help them reach their goals of
competitiveness, efficiency and quality.
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Technological capabilities
Control, electronics and communications Department
• Advanced control.
• Electric energy metering.
• Broadband networks: fiber optics.
Advanced Training Systems and Simulation Department
• Development and updating of simulators that provide training in full range,
partial or basic principles to personnel that operate electricity power plants and
industrial processes.
• Development of real time emulators for power plants and industrial processes to
test equipment with realistic controls, analyze its behavior and train engineers
used in testing.
• Application of technology for modeling processes, controls and dynamic
simulations for engineering analysis.
Information Technology Department
• Development of web based multimedia information systems.
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• Development of portals (corporate, technology management, human capital,
quality management).
• Development of Virtual Reality applications.
Integral Process Management Department
• Data acquisition systems, alarms and event recording for thermoelectric power
plants.
• Systems that provide real time analysis and assessment for optimizing operations
such as energy inventories (frontline metering) and oversight of thermal regimes
(thermodynamic efficiency).
• Systems that provide online assistance to improve thermoelectric power plant
operation.
Areas of research
• Control.
• Electronics.
• Software engineering for the development of real time simulation systems and
computer-user interfaces to control simulation and instruction.
• Knowledge management (data mining and intelligent business).
• Intelligent systems (agents, case based reasoning, Bayesian networks).
• Intelligent training (tutors, reusable learning objects).
• Data acquisition.
• Real time software.
• Oversight Control.
Technical and support infrastructure
• Electronics and Control Laboratory.
• Areas of expertise in software engineering.
• Areas of expertise in hardware engineering.
• Virtual reality.
• Real-Time Software.
• Man-machine interfaces.
•Systems integration.
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4.3
ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
At the Electrical Systems Division, we develop methodologies and programs for planning
the expansion of electrical systems with risk reduction, which consider the economic and
environmental aspects, as well as the social issues that may arise in the future.
Using the very latest power electronics and information technology, we have carried out
projects that involve diagnostic testing of major electric power equipment, such as
generators and transformers at power plants and substations. The purpose of these is to
reduce diagnostic costs and prevent possible catastrophic failures by giving notice far in
advance of that provided by traditional practices.
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Power failures that occur in transmission networks can cause outages over broad
geographical areas, which reinforces the importance of making installations more robust.
This has been achieved largely thanks to the installation of surge arrestors developed by
the IIE along critical transmission lines. We are currently working to characterize and
design earthing electrodes whose purpose is to drastically reduce line failures in problem
areas of the country. We are also analyzing the impact of superconductivity and flexible
AC transmission systems (FACTS) in transmission and distribution networks.
We are working on tools for the industry that will provide us with a reliable supply of
electricity and will contribute to electric energy savings.
Our work will continue on electrical aspects associated with exploitation of renewable
energy sources, such as standards for connection to electric power networks and the
development of wind power electricity generators. We are also participating to update
Official Mexican Standards related to energy efficiency, as well as in the development of
future standards, such as those related to standby power.
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Technological capabilities
Power Network Analysis Department
• Development and maintenance of specialized mathematical models for the
optimization, simulation and planning of electric power system expansions.
• Development of simulation models for analyzing competitive electric power
markets.
Electric Equipment Department
• Development and introduction of diagnostic techniques for electric power
equipment.
• Development of monitoring systems for diagnosing electric power equipment.
• Analysis of the effects of electric power networks on the operation of electricity
distribution equipment.
Transmission and Distribution Department
• Analysis of transmission systems.
• Design of transmission lines and power and distribution substations.
• Planning and operation of distribution networks.
Electric Energy Use Department
• Laboratory for testing energy efficiency of refrigerators, certified by the Mexican
Certification Body (EMA).
• Reliability studies on industrial electric power systems.
• Electric power safety (hazardous areas, electric arcs, grounding networks, etc.).
Areas of research
• Planning operation and dispatch of electric power systems.
• Primary substation equipment.
• Design of transmission lines and power and distribution substations.
• Energy efficiency.
• Reliability in industrial electrical systems.
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Technical and support infrastructure
• Competitive electric energy markets.
• Diagnostics of electric substation equipment.
• Development of instrumentation for diagnostics of electric power equipment.
• Electric power laboratory for testing isolating materials.
• Laboratory for testing energy efficiency of refrigerators.
• Specialized software for conducting reliability and energy quality studies.
Specialized technical services
• Diagnostics of electric power transmission equipment, such as generators, high
capacity motors, transformers SF6 insulated substations, cables, instrument
transformers and accessories.
• Design and manufacture of variable resonance frequency or variable inductance
transformers.
• Technical oversight, metering and analysis of results collected from the
introduction of subterranean cable systems and SF6 insulated substations.
• Characterization and solution of problems related to voltage variations.
• Reliability analyses of industrial electric systems.
• Studies and analysis of energy quality (harmonics, voltage falloff, transitory
events).
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4.4
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
The Mechanical Systems Division centers its efforts towards sustainable use of primary
energy sources used in electric power production, the safety of structures employed by
the energy sector and optimal use of assets employed in power production belonging to
the energy sector.
Sustainable use of primary energy sources
Several research projects are currently in progress; there is the emulsification of refining
residues and heavy crude in order to take better advantage of the country’s oil resources,
gasification technologies for exploiting solid combustible fuels and in addition, on
technologies which enable separation of carbon dioxide.
Along these same lines, this Department has been supporting the Ministry of Energy
(SENER) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) in planning the expansion of the
national energy system including the expansion of the electric power sector’s production
capacity and transmission network. We are also working closely with the IMP to expand
the hydrocarbon distribution sector and the national refinery system. Risk assessments
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have been carried out in light of the volatility of fuel prices for different combinations of
technologies that are employed in the expansion of the sector.
Under the concept of sustainable use of energy resources we are a leader in the
development of engineering solutions that make efficient use of energy by means of the
application of systems such as cogeneration in industrial power plants.
Safety of energy sector structures
The Department develops methodologies to design and assess the safety of structures
employed in the energy sector, such as electric power transmission towers, oil and gas
pipelines, dam walls and foundations for machinery and buildings. We are also drafting
the new versions of the chapters dedicated to earthquake and wind design of CFE’s Civil
Works Manual, which is the basic reference for these types of designs in the entire
country.
We develop projects that apply methodologies for inspection and testing, both destructive
and nondestructive, to assess the grade of mechanical integrity of structures and diagnose
operation of systems that protect against corrosion where ever present.
Optimal use of energy sector assets
We are working on important projects to develop on site refurbishing technologies for
steam, gas and water turbines which will reduce maintenance times and by so doing,
increase the availability of the equipment.
We have developed systems to monitor and analyze turbomachinery in order to identify
potential faults from their onset and be able to correct them as they occur. Our people are
developing systems for automatic inspection and evaluation of residual life of turbine and
steam generator components. This equipment is of vital importance to services that offer
power plant diagnostics and support maintenance programs in the sector.
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Technological capabilities
Civil Engineering Department
• Development of civil works design manuals.
• Analysis of stability of earth and rock-fill dams, as well as reinforced concrete
dams.
Materials and Chemical Processes Department
• Development of polymeric compounds.
• Diagnostic and control of corrosion (structures, pipelines and tanks).
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Thermal Processes Department
• Specialized analysis of combustion processes.
• Characterization of combustible fuels.
Turbomachinery Department
• Assessment of efficiency and power falloff in gas and steam turbines.
• Refurbishment and extension of useful life of turbine components.
• Analysis of vibration and fault diagnostics in turbomachinery.
Areas of research
• Behavior, design and structure security.
• Materials: Technology related to assessment, properties and control of
degradation of new materials and those already employed by the energy sector.
• Chemical Processes: Technology aimed at controlling water quality and gas
emissions arising from combustion.
• Advanced combustion and pollutant emission reduction systems.
• Redesign and refurbishment of turbomachinery components.
Technical and support infrastructure
• Structural Models Laboratory.
• Corrosion laboratory.
• Nondestructive trials.
• Chemical analysis.
• Pilot scale furnace to carry out combustion tests.
• Vibration and stress laboratory.
Specialized technical services
• Structural diagnostics.
• Diagnostic and assessment of cathodic protection.
• Conceptual and basic engineering of thermoelectric power plants.
• Refurbishment and extension of useful life of turbomachinery components.
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5.
SUPPORT CAPABILITIES
The Electric Research Institute (IIE) is a public enterprise dedicated to innovation,
technological development and applied scientific research, in order to develop
technologies applicable to the electrical and oil industries, providing support to the Energy
Sector in electrical generation, transmission and distribution processes and improvement
oil processes.
The Institute disseminates and promotes the scientific enterprise that it develops, by
relying on its various constituent areas, which contribute to the linkage, promotion,
distribution and technological transfer of its projects and results. It also applies and
transfers methodologies, analysis and specialized tools for energy efficiency, for the
Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), as well as for private
enterprise, promoting the development of high-impact projects.
In both cases, oil and electricity process of the Mexican energy sector, the IIE provide
specialized engineering and conceptual design to support to the industry with specific
technology development and innovative solutions. The Institute disseminates and
promotes the scientific enterprise that it develops, by relying on its various constituent
areas, which contribute to the linkage, promotion, distribution and technological transfer
of its projects and results.
IIE has arrangements with national and international experts to provide advice on unusual
problems and situations or to review designs, if required by the client. In addition, IIE
keeps abreast of the latest technology and has access to the research resources of
many engineering organizations through its membership or association with such bodies
as:
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AERI - MABE S.A. DE C.V.
INNOVACIÓN Y DESARROLLO DE ENERGÍA ALFA SUSTENTABLE S.A. DE C.V.
CONSULTORES EN ENERGÍA S.A. DE C.V.
TECNATOM
DOW QUÍMICA MEXICANA
ARTECHE MEDICIÓN Y TECNOLOGÍA (TyT)
ARTECHE TRANSFORMADORES Y TECNOLOGÍA (TyT)
RUHRPUMPEN, S. A DE C. V.
VIAKABLE, S. A DE C.V
SISTEMA DE TRANSPORTE COLECTIVO
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DISEÑO Y EQUIPOS ELÉCTRICOS DE MÉXICO S. A DE C. V (DEEMSA)
DISEÑO Y EQUIPOS ELÉCTRICOS DE MÉXICO S. A DE C. V (DEEMSA)
DISEÑO Y EQUIPOS ELÉCTRICOS DE MÉXICO S. A DE C. V (DEEMSA)
TEREFTALATOS MEXICANOS S.A.
PHOENIX CONTACT, S.A
SONNERGIA
DISEÑO EÓLICO Y SOLAR S. DE R. L. DE CV
INSTITUTE ENG ELECTRIC ELECTRONICS MORELOS SECTION S.C
VIP TRAVEL ADVISOR DE CUERNAVACA S.A. DE C.V.
INTELLEGO S.C.
AEROBLADE
EUROPE FOR BUSINESS LTD
BIOFIELDS, S.A.P.1. DE C.V.
WEIDMANN TECNOLOGÍA ELÉCTRICA DE MÉXICO, S.A. DE C.V
PROTECSA
MAPPEC
GAIA ECOENERGÍA
EMPRESA PÚBLICA ESTRATÉGICA CORPORACIÓN ELÉCTRICA DEL ECUADOR
(CELEC EP)
EREES, ENERGÍA RENOVABLE, EFICIENCIA ENERGÉTICA Y SUSTENTABLE S.A.
DE C.V.
CIDEC
ICA
BAMBUVER
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6. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENVIROMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
IIE is committed to implementing quality assurance on all corporate activities and on
projects undertaken on behalf of clients, and to this end operates under a quality
assurance, environmental management and safety management system which satisfies
the requirements of ISO9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004. IIE is certified as a “Reliable Supplier
Company" for PEMEX (Mexican Oil Company) and for CFE the qualification 10CFR50
(Mexican Electrical Utility).
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