As promised on our previous blog post, this will be a continuation of our whole year look-back on Fiber Optic Association (FOA) president Jim Hayes‘ fiber optics columns on Electrical Contractor Magazine in 2017. Read more, learn more!

Fiber Optics in Energy

In July, Jim emphasized the role of fiber optics not just as the backbone of communications network but also the backbone of the electrical grid.

The grid—the simple term we use to describe the complex network of power generating stations, substations and alternative-energy sources connected on transmission and distribution wires—requires management. Microgrids, city-block-sized managed areas, are being tested to see if they can increase security and efficiency. The growing supply of alternative-energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal and battery storage, complicates the grid-management problems due to their variations in supply of electricity over time.

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2D5fYob

A Complex Problem: Fiber Optics Solve Alternative-Energy Challenges

For his August column, Jim talked about the diverse sources of energy that create new network management problems.

Alternative-energy sources vary from a few kilowatts from residential solar-power systems to megawatts (MW) from commercial solar stations and wind farms. Alternative energy contributions are not trivial. Parts of the Midwest and Southwest get up to 20 percent of their power from wind. California is home to the largest geothermal, wind, solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the world, getting more than 25 percent of its electrical power from alternative-energy sources.

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2DysKM5

Faster, Cheaper And Easier

In September, Jim highlighted the evolution of fiber optic connectors, as well as the new connector termination method.

These connectors came along about the same time that fiber to the home was really taking off, and data centers and passive optical LANs started using single-mode fibers in premises applications. These connectors, now known as splice-on connectors, may well become the dominant field-termination method. They are faster, cheaper and easier with better performance—what more could you ask for?

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2mYKs15

Trying To Keep Up: Are Data Centers Changing Too Fast for Standards?

For October, Jim discussed how the data centers are moving too fast and how it majorly affects cabling.

The hyper-scale data centers are focused on 100-Gb networks today and 200/400/1,000-Gb as soon as possible. The others will follow as soon as they can. The only practical way to achieve such speeds is to migrate to single-mode fiber with wavelength-division multiplexing as used in telecom long-distance links. Single-mode fiber is the only solution that allows upgrades in speeds without replacing the cabling.

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2DkUlBd

Small Cells, Big Business: Fiber Investment Is as Important as Ever

In November, Jim focused on the importance of fiber even if wireless has been getting all the attention recently.

Another reason fiber is booming is actually tied to the growing wireless market. The 5G wireless technology everybody is talking about is based on a new concept—small cells. Now for the news you have to dig deeper for: Every one of those small cell sites needs to have two connections—power and fiber.

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2Dpx8xQ

Got What It Takes? Smart Cities Are Built on Fiber

Finally for December, Jim talked about smart cities including the city he currently lives in, which is one of the smartest “smart cities” in the world.

I have been asked what is the right solution for a city planning for the future. There is no single answer to that question. Different cities base their decision on their vision, politics and finances. I just always point out that building these networks requires competent contractors who understand fiber optics.

Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/2Bc5q1n

That’s it for the 2017 look-back on fiber optic columns written by the FOA president himself, Jim Hayes. You can follow him and read on his EC Mag articles, which he updates every month. You can also Contact or Email us to know more about our Fiber Optics Courses.

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