Most utilities struggle to organize information about their distribution network assets. Operations, engineering, accounting, and other business functions all use different tools and systems, forcing grid operators to synchronize separate databases. This paper presents an improved approach to managing grid assets by establishing a ‘single source of the truth,’ eliminating special-purpose databases, utilizing spatial databases, and incorporating a workflow management tool to support database updates.
The Cloud Computing model is replacing the traditional IT model for many organizations that have not been able to keep up with the tremendous rate at which technology is changing, the challenges of disparate IT systems inherited through acquisitions and mergers, and decreasing internal resources available for IT commitment.
Cloud Computing models range from public cloud services that bill companies for access to IT infrastructure; the private cloud provider that hosts resources for the sole use of its own organization; dedicated external hosting to non-shared resources; and hybrid hosting, a mixed solution of cloud computing and dedicated hosting.
Schneider Electric consulting experts use their Cloud Assessment Checklist to help potential clients identify the computer services needs that best meet their IT challenges. It is not uncommon to find that an organization would optimize operation with a hybrid hosting solution in which a secure, single-tenant database would be stored with a dedicated host and the front-end would be hosted in the public cloud. Similarly, cloud bursting functionality enables the organization to automatically deploy new applications within the public cloud as needed. Such hybrid hosting models allow scaling capability to accommodate an increase in the number of users in the organization and meet peak traffic demand.
Careful examination of business and security characteristics can determine the proper cloud and hosting model that meets the needs of any particular enterprise and, as a result, help increase the organization’s IT capabilities and productivity while adding value to the business.
Integrated Control and Safety - Assessing the Benefits; Weighing the RisksSchneider Electric
While best practice has leaned toward keeping control and
safety isolated from each other, recent enterprise data integration
and cost control initiatives are providing incentive to
achieve some level of integration. This paper describes three
basic integration models, including an “interfaced” approach,
in which separate control and safety communicate via a
custom built software bridge; an “integrated but separate”
approach, in which the disparate systems sit on the same
network, but share information only across isolated network
channels; and a “common” approach, in which both control
and safety systems share a common operating system. The
authors then compare the three approaches according to
compliance with safety standards and cost efficiencies.
An electric grid alarming management system that works with real-time data is vital for optimizing network performance and safety. This system also must have the ability to finely tune alarms, to assure reliable event and condition notifications without overloading control room operators and reducing alarming effectiveness.
Schneider Electric’s Smart Alarming Management solution works seamlessly with the Schneider Electric Advanced DMS solution to put real-time data to work in the most effective and efficient manner. The robustness of this solution is due to its application to both database and system alarms. Configurable tools enable fast and reliable identification of event severity and specific filtering, prioritization and suppression. This approach assures that operator screens communicate what is needed, when needed. Displays provide comprehensive summaries of alarm status and actions performed that add to efficiency.
In particular, the Schneider Electric solution supports alarming management for defined areas of responsibility. Focusing on alarm capabilities at the AOR level optimizes both control and security for the network as a whole.
Smart Alarming management makes the most of the utility’s investment in its real-time information infrastructure. Together, they provide vital and relevant network information that enables operators to respond promptly and effectively to changing network conditions.
A key part of implementing Volt-VAR control and optimization is to identify the benefits that can be attributed to VVO. The major challenge is to separate the impacts of VVO (i.e. the VVO benefits) from the impacts of factors not related to VVO, such as changing weather conditions, random customer behavior and routine operational changes (planned switching). Utilities on the panel have performed VVO measurement and verification using different methods. Each presenter will describe how the method works, data requirements, strengths and weaknesses of the approach and results. The session also will summarize work by the IEEE Volt-VAR task force to develop IEEE Guideline P1885 M&V of VVO projects for electric distribution utilities.
Field Data Gathering Services — A Cloud-Based ApproachSchneider Electric
Utilities today wish to facilitate the capture of asset information in the field in a way that is not only scalable but cost effective. They need a system that is simple to use, inexpensive to implement, flexible enough to meet ever-changing needs, yet also powerful enough to cover a majority of their needs with immediacy. This paper describes Schneider Electric's powerful cloud-based solution to optimize the inspection and gathering of field information.
U.S. smart grid expenditures have been compromised largely of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI ) projects over the past five years. However, many utilities are now eager to fully optimize their systems with grid automation projects, which will allow them to fully realize the promise of the smart grid. Grid automation will create a much more reliable and efficient grid, enable optimization of thousands of grid-connected devices and distributed generation sources, and allow for faster outage recovery times.
Federal smart grid deployment targets, renewable portfolio standards, and the need to increase grid reliability have driven U.S. grid automation. However, as electricity markets open up in the U.S., grid automation projects will also be driven by a strong need to increase electric provider customer satisfaction.
As U.S. utilities embrace global standards such as IEC 61850, vendors with field proven grid analytics, advanced DMS, sensors, IEDs, and FLISR solutions will be best positioned in the market. The long-term result of such investments in grid automation will result in a significantly more reliable and efficient grid, higher utility customer satisfaction, and lower energy bills.
The major findings in this report show that a large majority of U.S. utilities are ready to take up the task of building a grid that meets the needs of tomorrow’s Connected Economy. However, utilities will need strong support from industry stakeholders (vendors, integrators, regulators, etc.) and electric customers to meet this goal.
The Cloud Computing model is replacing the traditional IT model for many organizations that have not been able to keep up with the tremendous rate at which technology is changing, the challenges of disparate IT systems inherited through acquisitions and mergers, and decreasing internal resources available for IT commitment.
Cloud Computing models range from public cloud services that bill companies for access to IT infrastructure; the private cloud provider that hosts resources for the sole use of its own organization; dedicated external hosting to non-shared resources; and hybrid hosting, a mixed solution of cloud computing and dedicated hosting.
Schneider Electric consulting experts use their Cloud Assessment Checklist to help potential clients identify the computer services needs that best meet their IT challenges. It is not uncommon to find that an organization would optimize operation with a hybrid hosting solution in which a secure, single-tenant database would be stored with a dedicated host and the front-end would be hosted in the public cloud. Similarly, cloud bursting functionality enables the organization to automatically deploy new applications within the public cloud as needed. Such hybrid hosting models allow scaling capability to accommodate an increase in the number of users in the organization and meet peak traffic demand.
Careful examination of business and security characteristics can determine the proper cloud and hosting model that meets the needs of any particular enterprise and, as a result, help increase the organization’s IT capabilities and productivity while adding value to the business.
Integrated Control and Safety - Assessing the Benefits; Weighing the RisksSchneider Electric
While best practice has leaned toward keeping control and
safety isolated from each other, recent enterprise data integration
and cost control initiatives are providing incentive to
achieve some level of integration. This paper describes three
basic integration models, including an “interfaced” approach,
in which separate control and safety communicate via a
custom built software bridge; an “integrated but separate”
approach, in which the disparate systems sit on the same
network, but share information only across isolated network
channels; and a “common” approach, in which both control
and safety systems share a common operating system. The
authors then compare the three approaches according to
compliance with safety standards and cost efficiencies.
An electric grid alarming management system that works with real-time data is vital for optimizing network performance and safety. This system also must have the ability to finely tune alarms, to assure reliable event and condition notifications without overloading control room operators and reducing alarming effectiveness.
Schneider Electric’s Smart Alarming Management solution works seamlessly with the Schneider Electric Advanced DMS solution to put real-time data to work in the most effective and efficient manner. The robustness of this solution is due to its application to both database and system alarms. Configurable tools enable fast and reliable identification of event severity and specific filtering, prioritization and suppression. This approach assures that operator screens communicate what is needed, when needed. Displays provide comprehensive summaries of alarm status and actions performed that add to efficiency.
In particular, the Schneider Electric solution supports alarming management for defined areas of responsibility. Focusing on alarm capabilities at the AOR level optimizes both control and security for the network as a whole.
Smart Alarming management makes the most of the utility’s investment in its real-time information infrastructure. Together, they provide vital and relevant network information that enables operators to respond promptly and effectively to changing network conditions.
A key part of implementing Volt-VAR control and optimization is to identify the benefits that can be attributed to VVO. The major challenge is to separate the impacts of VVO (i.e. the VVO benefits) from the impacts of factors not related to VVO, such as changing weather conditions, random customer behavior and routine operational changes (planned switching). Utilities on the panel have performed VVO measurement and verification using different methods. Each presenter will describe how the method works, data requirements, strengths and weaknesses of the approach and results. The session also will summarize work by the IEEE Volt-VAR task force to develop IEEE Guideline P1885 M&V of VVO projects for electric distribution utilities.
Field Data Gathering Services — A Cloud-Based ApproachSchneider Electric
Utilities today wish to facilitate the capture of asset information in the field in a way that is not only scalable but cost effective. They need a system that is simple to use, inexpensive to implement, flexible enough to meet ever-changing needs, yet also powerful enough to cover a majority of their needs with immediacy. This paper describes Schneider Electric's powerful cloud-based solution to optimize the inspection and gathering of field information.
U.S. smart grid expenditures have been compromised largely of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI ) projects over the past five years. However, many utilities are now eager to fully optimize their systems with grid automation projects, which will allow them to fully realize the promise of the smart grid. Grid automation will create a much more reliable and efficient grid, enable optimization of thousands of grid-connected devices and distributed generation sources, and allow for faster outage recovery times.
Federal smart grid deployment targets, renewable portfolio standards, and the need to increase grid reliability have driven U.S. grid automation. However, as electricity markets open up in the U.S., grid automation projects will also be driven by a strong need to increase electric provider customer satisfaction.
As U.S. utilities embrace global standards such as IEC 61850, vendors with field proven grid analytics, advanced DMS, sensors, IEDs, and FLISR solutions will be best positioned in the market. The long-term result of such investments in grid automation will result in a significantly more reliable and efficient grid, higher utility customer satisfaction, and lower energy bills.
The major findings in this report show that a large majority of U.S. utilities are ready to take up the task of building a grid that meets the needs of tomorrow’s Connected Economy. However, utilities will need strong support from industry stakeholders (vendors, integrators, regulators, etc.) and electric customers to meet this goal.
While many utilities look forward to the benefits of deploying smart grid technology, they need help on where and how to start. A manageable distribution management system (DMS) pilot implementation is a good kickoff toward the smart grid goal, because it successfully demonstrates the possibilities while it builds support from stakeholders across the enterprise. Schneider Electric helps the utility implement the DMS pilot, using a phased Build — Learn — Plan — Execute approach.
In such a DMS pilot project, the company works with a small team of utility personnel knowledgeable of the organization’s network data stores and analytical functions. They build a fully operational load flow model that represents a subset of the network and reflects circuit data from the GIS database or other sources and includes two HV/MV substations and four to eight feeders, ideally with the switches and enough load profile data to support some switching and basic optimization functionality.
In the Learn phase of the DMS pilot, team members evaluate functionality of the model and completeness and accuracy of the data used. Tuning the model builds team confidence in its understanding of the data needed and the accuracy of the basic DMS algorithms.
In the Plan phase, the utility identifies current business plan and internal and external drivers toward grid automation, considering throughout the political and regulatory environments. A strategy is designed to remove obstacles and achieve identified goals.
In the final Execute phase, the utility will contract for software and services; train core team; develop system configuration and convert data; and finally deploy the system with site acceptance testing and rollout.
This fastrack DMS implementation gets the utility started and moving at the ‘speed of value’ as it builds confidence in DMS technology. It offers a proof-of-concept of DMS benefits across the organization — more reliable service, reduction of peak demand, utility cost savings and more.
How Test Labs Reduce Cyber Security Threats to Industrial Control Systemse cy...Schneider Electric
Federal agencies are moving their industrial control systems (ICS) from operational business networks to separate, dedicated networks in order to enhance security. However, without a system to test the new equipment and software coming into these separate networks, security risks will persist. This paper explores the impact on security of instituting a sanctioned ICS test lab and recommends best practices for setting up and operating these labs.
Wood-Mizer in Indianapolis, IN, one of the world’s
leading industrial sawmill manufacturers, has developed
the next generation of industrial sawmills by combining
a thin-kerf blade and advanced automation technology
for maximum log yield and profitability.
Electric utilities are preparing for the multitude of challenges facing the industry — limited generation to supply increasing energy demand, growing regulatory and customer pressure for increased reliability and reduced carbon emissions, adoption of distributed renewable generation and energy storage, and the inevitability of both an aging workforce and infrastructure.
In a rather short period of time, these challenges have converged, and in doing so, have exposed the need for a comprehensive distribution network monitoring, analysis, and control system.
Utilities that are proactive — building business cases and deploying scalable solutions now — will be best prepared to meet the challenges of today and the future. To assist the industry in achieving their strategic Smart Grid goals, Schneider Electric proudly offers its Advanced Distribution Management
System (ADMS).
The article looks at how new technologies will lead to an increasingly integrated approach within the O&G sector, siting specifics such as the IoT and robotics & the radical impact they will have on optimising productions within the sector.
Basic Concepts for an Integrated Steel Process Control SystemSchneider Electric
For the past few years, the market was preoccupied with discussions about terminology such as: distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and the “newcomers” hybrid control systems (HCS) and programmable automation controllers (PAC), and how each should be applied to steel and metals processing applications. Steel manufacturing is an industry that requires specific approaches for control systems; it mixes process, machines, discrete control, several motors, high-availability systems and involves massive amounts of variables and architectures that requires flexible topologies. Better understand these technologies, myths and facts, and learn the real needs and trends for control systems in steel and metals industries, regardless of labels and acronyms. Copyright AIST Reprinted with Permission
An accurate, up-to-date model of a utility’s distribution network is the backbone of Smart Grid technologies. But a Schneider Electric survey shows that 74% of utilities are concerned about the readiness of their network model to support Smart Grid applications. This paper presents a quantitative comparison of a Geographic Information System (GIS)–based graphic work design system vs. a CAD-based tool, demonstrating how the GIS-based design approach is better able to keep up with the continuous changes in a dynamic electrical distribution network.
Press Conference at Hannover Messe #HM15SE...As a leader in energy management and industrial automation our interconnected technologies, solutions and services help unlock unprecedented value and ensure Industry Is On everywhere
Asset Management - what are some of your top priorties?Schneider Electric
Asset Managment...how to avoid costly impact of downtime; maintain multiple tools, devices and protocols; manage the risk of working remotely with the Foxboro Evo system.
How Warehouse and Distribution Systems (Conveyor systems) are being designed ...Schneider Electric
This presentation explores how the latest conveyor and sortation hardware and control systems are being designed to anticipate or be alerted to problems quickly, maximize MTBF and uptime, and minimize MTTR. We will also examine the benefits of real time and historical data monitoring and visualization to reduce downtime, decrease maintenance and increase operational efficiency and throughput.
Learn more about SCADA expert ClearSCADA:
- Simplicity & Enhanced User Experience for faster deployment and improved time-to-market
- Reduced Maintenance Efforts for protection of investment
- Enhanced Security capability for better protection of the system
- Enhanced Operational Intelligence to help optimize operations and maintenance activities
- Integrated with the complete Schneider Electric Telemetry portfolio
[Oil & Gas White Paper] Control Room Management - Alarm Management Schneider Electric
Industry best practices call for pipeline operators to define a clear alarm management plan that helps avoid controller overload and ensures alarms are accurate and support safe pipeline operation. Review of controller workload is key in this program, as it can provide the most critical information on how to improve the performance of an alarm system and the controllers monitoring it. Controller performance can be impaired when deluged with too many SCADA alarms, a significant increase in the number of points being monitored and alarms related to communications, which all add to other attention-demanding activities not directly related to alarms.
Developing a program to analyze and continually improve the alarm system includes identification of the operator’s Alarm Philosophy: identifying what constitutes an alarm, who manages it, how it is managed and how training and change of management are carried out. Other best practices of an alarm management program include benchmark and performance audits; rationalisation to determine which SCADA alarms warrant response; and implementation, in an auditable manner, of actions defined.
When implementing an alarm management improvement program, the highest benefit is realised through strategies that involve little advanced technology. These high benefit strategies include alarm storm reviews, tuning alarm settings on nuisance alarms and fixing known issues; adjusting deadbands of repeating alarms; and eliminating alarms with no defined response. Strategies of medium benefit include suppression of alarms from ‘out of service’ stations; replacing absolute alarms with deviation alarms; and filtering, de-bouncing, or suppressing repeater alarms. Other advanced alarm improvement strategies that can provide additional benefit after initial strategies have been implemented include use of dynamic alarm thresholds, operator-set alarms and operational mode suppression. Tracking improvement in the alarm program after modifications are made is important, especially as operations bring in larger point counts.
Schneider Electric actively participates in industry alarm management programs to assure its advanced-technology Control Room Management solution targets best practices and meets new regulations for improved alarm management in the pipeline sector and other control implementations.
Effect on Substation Engineering Costs of IEC61850 & System Configuration ToolsSchneider Electric
Change management, software configuration training, and human error all impact the cost associated with substation automation engineering. Object-oriented engineering approaches as defined in the IEC 61850 standard represent significant cost savings when compared to traditional methods using hardwire and Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3). New multivendor system configuration tools are described that further reduce substation automation engineering costs.
When it comes to designing, building, and operating mission critical data centers, simple is better. Prefabricated data center building blocks comprised of Power, Cooling and/or IT White Space can be connected to provide a semi or fully prefabricated data center solution. Prefabricated data center solutions provide multiple advantages to include predictable performance, faster deployment and, flexibility and scalability versus traditional build data centers. This presentation will show you how a pre-fabricated modular data center architecture can dramatically simplify your design and build process and lower your total cost of operation.
How the Convergence of IT and OT Enables Smart Grid DevelopmentSchneider Electric
The goal for any utility that invests in smart grid technology is to attain higher efficiency and reliable performance.
A smart grid platform implies the convergence of Operations Technology (OT) – the grid physical infrastructure assets and applications–and Information Technology (IT) – the human interface that enables rapid and informed decision making.
This paper describes best practices for migrating to a scalable, adaptable, smart grid network.
Asset Lifecycle Management: flexible infrastructures enabling future changeSchneider Electric
This presentation demonstrates how IEC 61850 enables progressive Opex/Capex optimization through a long term asset management strategy to reduce total cost of ownership, provide evidence for regulators and assist in investment plans. By replacing manual engineering of asset performance management systems with automatic processing ensures full consistency with real assets, thus leading to better decision-making.
While many utilities look forward to the benefits of deploying smart grid technology, they need help on where and how to start. A manageable distribution management system (DMS) pilot implementation is a good kickoff toward the smart grid goal, because it successfully demonstrates the possibilities while it builds support from stakeholders across the enterprise. Schneider Electric helps the utility implement the DMS pilot, using a phased Build — Learn — Plan — Execute approach.
In such a DMS pilot project, the company works with a small team of utility personnel knowledgeable of the organization’s network data stores and analytical functions. They build a fully operational load flow model that represents a subset of the network and reflects circuit data from the GIS database or other sources and includes two HV/MV substations and four to eight feeders, ideally with the switches and enough load profile data to support some switching and basic optimization functionality.
In the Learn phase of the DMS pilot, team members evaluate functionality of the model and completeness and accuracy of the data used. Tuning the model builds team confidence in its understanding of the data needed and the accuracy of the basic DMS algorithms.
In the Plan phase, the utility identifies current business plan and internal and external drivers toward grid automation, considering throughout the political and regulatory environments. A strategy is designed to remove obstacles and achieve identified goals.
In the final Execute phase, the utility will contract for software and services; train core team; develop system configuration and convert data; and finally deploy the system with site acceptance testing and rollout.
This fastrack DMS implementation gets the utility started and moving at the ‘speed of value’ as it builds confidence in DMS technology. It offers a proof-of-concept of DMS benefits across the organization — more reliable service, reduction of peak demand, utility cost savings and more.
How Test Labs Reduce Cyber Security Threats to Industrial Control Systemse cy...Schneider Electric
Federal agencies are moving their industrial control systems (ICS) from operational business networks to separate, dedicated networks in order to enhance security. However, without a system to test the new equipment and software coming into these separate networks, security risks will persist. This paper explores the impact on security of instituting a sanctioned ICS test lab and recommends best practices for setting up and operating these labs.
Wood-Mizer in Indianapolis, IN, one of the world’s
leading industrial sawmill manufacturers, has developed
the next generation of industrial sawmills by combining
a thin-kerf blade and advanced automation technology
for maximum log yield and profitability.
Electric utilities are preparing for the multitude of challenges facing the industry — limited generation to supply increasing energy demand, growing regulatory and customer pressure for increased reliability and reduced carbon emissions, adoption of distributed renewable generation and energy storage, and the inevitability of both an aging workforce and infrastructure.
In a rather short period of time, these challenges have converged, and in doing so, have exposed the need for a comprehensive distribution network monitoring, analysis, and control system.
Utilities that are proactive — building business cases and deploying scalable solutions now — will be best prepared to meet the challenges of today and the future. To assist the industry in achieving their strategic Smart Grid goals, Schneider Electric proudly offers its Advanced Distribution Management
System (ADMS).
The article looks at how new technologies will lead to an increasingly integrated approach within the O&G sector, siting specifics such as the IoT and robotics & the radical impact they will have on optimising productions within the sector.
Basic Concepts for an Integrated Steel Process Control SystemSchneider Electric
For the past few years, the market was preoccupied with discussions about terminology such as: distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and the “newcomers” hybrid control systems (HCS) and programmable automation controllers (PAC), and how each should be applied to steel and metals processing applications. Steel manufacturing is an industry that requires specific approaches for control systems; it mixes process, machines, discrete control, several motors, high-availability systems and involves massive amounts of variables and architectures that requires flexible topologies. Better understand these technologies, myths and facts, and learn the real needs and trends for control systems in steel and metals industries, regardless of labels and acronyms. Copyright AIST Reprinted with Permission
An accurate, up-to-date model of a utility’s distribution network is the backbone of Smart Grid technologies. But a Schneider Electric survey shows that 74% of utilities are concerned about the readiness of their network model to support Smart Grid applications. This paper presents a quantitative comparison of a Geographic Information System (GIS)–based graphic work design system vs. a CAD-based tool, demonstrating how the GIS-based design approach is better able to keep up with the continuous changes in a dynamic electrical distribution network.
Press Conference at Hannover Messe #HM15SE...As a leader in energy management and industrial automation our interconnected technologies, solutions and services help unlock unprecedented value and ensure Industry Is On everywhere
Asset Management - what are some of your top priorties?Schneider Electric
Asset Managment...how to avoid costly impact of downtime; maintain multiple tools, devices and protocols; manage the risk of working remotely with the Foxboro Evo system.
How Warehouse and Distribution Systems (Conveyor systems) are being designed ...Schneider Electric
This presentation explores how the latest conveyor and sortation hardware and control systems are being designed to anticipate or be alerted to problems quickly, maximize MTBF and uptime, and minimize MTTR. We will also examine the benefits of real time and historical data monitoring and visualization to reduce downtime, decrease maintenance and increase operational efficiency and throughput.
Learn more about SCADA expert ClearSCADA:
- Simplicity & Enhanced User Experience for faster deployment and improved time-to-market
- Reduced Maintenance Efforts for protection of investment
- Enhanced Security capability for better protection of the system
- Enhanced Operational Intelligence to help optimize operations and maintenance activities
- Integrated with the complete Schneider Electric Telemetry portfolio
[Oil & Gas White Paper] Control Room Management - Alarm Management Schneider Electric
Industry best practices call for pipeline operators to define a clear alarm management plan that helps avoid controller overload and ensures alarms are accurate and support safe pipeline operation. Review of controller workload is key in this program, as it can provide the most critical information on how to improve the performance of an alarm system and the controllers monitoring it. Controller performance can be impaired when deluged with too many SCADA alarms, a significant increase in the number of points being monitored and alarms related to communications, which all add to other attention-demanding activities not directly related to alarms.
Developing a program to analyze and continually improve the alarm system includes identification of the operator’s Alarm Philosophy: identifying what constitutes an alarm, who manages it, how it is managed and how training and change of management are carried out. Other best practices of an alarm management program include benchmark and performance audits; rationalisation to determine which SCADA alarms warrant response; and implementation, in an auditable manner, of actions defined.
When implementing an alarm management improvement program, the highest benefit is realised through strategies that involve little advanced technology. These high benefit strategies include alarm storm reviews, tuning alarm settings on nuisance alarms and fixing known issues; adjusting deadbands of repeating alarms; and eliminating alarms with no defined response. Strategies of medium benefit include suppression of alarms from ‘out of service’ stations; replacing absolute alarms with deviation alarms; and filtering, de-bouncing, or suppressing repeater alarms. Other advanced alarm improvement strategies that can provide additional benefit after initial strategies have been implemented include use of dynamic alarm thresholds, operator-set alarms and operational mode suppression. Tracking improvement in the alarm program after modifications are made is important, especially as operations bring in larger point counts.
Schneider Electric actively participates in industry alarm management programs to assure its advanced-technology Control Room Management solution targets best practices and meets new regulations for improved alarm management in the pipeline sector and other control implementations.
Effect on Substation Engineering Costs of IEC61850 & System Configuration ToolsSchneider Electric
Change management, software configuration training, and human error all impact the cost associated with substation automation engineering. Object-oriented engineering approaches as defined in the IEC 61850 standard represent significant cost savings when compared to traditional methods using hardwire and Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3). New multivendor system configuration tools are described that further reduce substation automation engineering costs.
When it comes to designing, building, and operating mission critical data centers, simple is better. Prefabricated data center building blocks comprised of Power, Cooling and/or IT White Space can be connected to provide a semi or fully prefabricated data center solution. Prefabricated data center solutions provide multiple advantages to include predictable performance, faster deployment and, flexibility and scalability versus traditional build data centers. This presentation will show you how a pre-fabricated modular data center architecture can dramatically simplify your design and build process and lower your total cost of operation.
How the Convergence of IT and OT Enables Smart Grid DevelopmentSchneider Electric
The goal for any utility that invests in smart grid technology is to attain higher efficiency and reliable performance.
A smart grid platform implies the convergence of Operations Technology (OT) – the grid physical infrastructure assets and applications–and Information Technology (IT) – the human interface that enables rapid and informed decision making.
This paper describes best practices for migrating to a scalable, adaptable, smart grid network.
Asset Lifecycle Management: flexible infrastructures enabling future changeSchneider Electric
This presentation demonstrates how IEC 61850 enables progressive Opex/Capex optimization through a long term asset management strategy to reduce total cost of ownership, provide evidence for regulators and assist in investment plans. By replacing manual engineering of asset performance management systems with automatic processing ensures full consistency with real assets, thus leading to better decision-making.
Revue de presse IoT / Data du 26/03/2017Romain Bochet
Sommaire :
- From the Edge To the Enterprise
- The Internet of Energy: Smart Sockets
- Google's big data calculates US rooftop solar potential
- Energy management: Oracle Utilities launches smart grid and IoT device management solution in the cloud
- Are vehicles the mobile sensor beds of the future?
Asset Information: Addressing 21st Century ChallengesCognizant
Asset-intensive companies can reduce costs, improve operational uptime and enhance worker safety by collecting and analyzing process optimization data, unleashed by their response to regulatory requirements and the Internet of Things.
Implementing Oracle Utility-Meter Data Management For Power ConsumptionIJERDJOURNAL
ABSTRACT: In this digital mobile world, it‟s need of time to streamline and increase efficiency in business processes like effective data collection, measurement, automatic validation, editing and estimation of measurement data, analysis and dashboard for forecasting and ease in end user accessibility with Just in Time. This paper is following two methodology in this process. CEMLI is an extensive framework for developing and implementing for Oracle whereas OUM is business process and use case driven process which supports products, tool, technologies and documentation. This paper have focused on analytical data, system automation functionality along with prototype designing. For this, analysts and administrators will collect and define calculation rule for data collection and measurement, deployment methods, dashboards and security features. This paper gives measure understanding of cloud technologies and their features like services (SaaS), deployment methods, security and ability to reduce overhead cost, downtime, and automate business processes with 360 degree review and analysis. It consolidates data in one system with volumes of analog and interval data which facilitates new customer with offering and effective program. Also it maximizes return on investments and protects revenue through comprehensive exception management.
Analytics is being used in data centers, buildings, and municipalities to provide streamlined, proactive services. The deeper understanding of daily operations that analytics provides enables companies and governments to address problems that stretch across their systems, and makes it easier for them to simplify infrastructures and reduce costs.
This draft paper throws light on data center technology trends of 2016. This paper also suggest ways to enhance the competitiveness of Data Center. We have tried to carve out a strategy that can help decision makers to decide whether a technology adoption will prove beneficial for them or they will end up spending more without any significant ROI.
More Electric:
Our world is becoming More Electric. Almost everything we interact with today is either already electric or becoming electric. Think about it. From the time you start your day in the morning to the time you finish your day – your home, your car, your work, your devices, your entertainment – almost everything is electric. Imagine the energy needed to power this. Electricity consumption will increase by 80% in next 25 years
More Connected: Our lives are also becoming more connected. The Internet has already transformed the way we live, work and play. Now the Connected Things is going to take this to a brand new level. 50 billion things connected in the next 5 years.
More Distributed: With such a widespread electrification and connectivity, energy models need rethinking as well. Which is why the generation of power needs to be closer to users. Distributed Energy is rapidly evolving globally. This is positive energy – renewable. In 2014 , Renewables overtook fossil fuels in investment value, with $295bn invested in renewables compared to $289bn invested in fossil fuels. And it is getting cheaper to do this.
More Efficient: When our world is more electric, more connected and more distributed, new opportunities emerge and allows us to tap into even more efficiency – in industrial processes, in the energy value chain, in buildings, in transportation, in the global supply chain and even in the comfort and peace-of-mind of our homes.
With more than $18 billion in M&A activity in the first half of last year alone, the colocation industry is riding the bubble of rapid growth. Colocation data center providers are being evaluated by a wide range of investors, with varying experience and perspectives. Understanding the evaluation criteria is a critical competency for attracting the right type of investor and financial commitment for your colocation business and this is why we have invited today’s speaker to present.
Steve Wallage Steve Wallage is Managing Director of BroadGroup Consulting. Steve brings 25 years of industry experience, holding senior roles at Gartner Group, IDC, CGI and IBM before joining BroadGroup 10 years ago. In his responsibilities at BroadGroup Steve has led many due diligence projects for investors evaluating colocation companies.
In this briefing we explore the Phaseo power supplies and transformers offer presentation and application samples.
For more details:
Industrial%20Automation%20and%20Control&parent-category-id=4500&parent-subcategory-id=4510
We’ve all been hearing about how robust the market for data center space is, but a presentation by an investment banker who has his finger on the pulse on the market day in and day out gave me a new appreciation for how great the opportunity really is.
Herb May is a partner and managing director with DH Capital, an investment bank founded 15 years ago in New York that is focused on the Internet infrastructure space. His company has been involved in close to 100 deals, representing almost $20 billion in value. Most of DH Capital’s work is as a mergers and acquisitions advisor, but raising capital is a growing percentage of its business. The point is, the company understands the financials behind data centers and colocation companies inside and out.
At Schneider Electric, in the IT Division, our core business has always been focused on delivering the highest level of availability to critical technologies, systems and processes. We’ve done this through our award winning, industry-leading and highest quality products and solutions, including UPS, Cooling, Rack Systems, DCIM and Services.
In this new digital era, we see a world that is always-on.
Always on to meet the needs of the highest notion of “access” to goods and services
Always on to be the solid, reliable foundation of digital transformation for businesses
Our mission is: To empower the digital transformation of our customers by ensuring their critical network, systems and processes are highly available and resilient.
In this briefing we explore the Magelis Basic HMI offer presentation and application samples.
For more details:
https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-range/61054-magelis#search
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For more details:
http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-range/529-zelio-time?parent-category-id=2800&parent-subcategory-id=2810&filter=business-1-industrial-automation-and-control
Spacial, Thalassa, ClimaSys Universal enclosures BriefingSchneider Electric
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For more information:
http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-category/5800-enclosures-and-accessories/?filter=business-1-industrial-automation-and-control
Learn more about "what is a solid state relay", key features and targeted applications.
For more details:
http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-range/60278-zelio-relays?parent-category-id=2800&filter=business-1-Industrial%20Automation%20and%20Control
Learn more about what an HMI does and the main components and a look at a typical HMI.
Further details:
http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-category/2100-HMI%20(Terminals%20and%20Industrial%20PC)?filter=business-1-Industrial%20Automation%20and%20Control
Where will the next 80% improvement in data center performance come from?Schneider Electric
Rick Puskar, Head of Marketing for Schneider Electric's IT Division presents at the Gartner Symposium in Barcelona November 8th, 2017. In this presentation Rick discusses where the next 80% improvement in data center performance will come from with a focus on the speed, availability and reliability of data. Learn how a cloud-based data center infrastructure management as a service architecture like Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure IT can drive such aggressive goals around data center performance.
Learn how EcoStruxure is digitizing industry with IIoT to increase end-to-end operational efficiency with more dynamic control for better business results.
Learn more about our System Integrator Alliance Program - A global partnership transforming industry and infrastructure by helping them make the most of their processes, the most of their assets and the most of their energy.
EcoStruxure, IIoT-enabled architecture, delivering value in key segments.Schneider Electric
As presented during the Alliance 2017 event, learn how to deliver integrated solutions based on EcoStruxure, our IIoT-enabled architecture for Wastewater, Food and Beverage and Mining, Minerals and Metals.
A Practical Guide to Ensuring Business Continuity and High Performance in Hea...Schneider Electric
Within healthcare facilities, high availability of systems is a key influencer of revenue and patient safety and satisfaction. Three important critical success factors need to be addressed in order to achieve safety and availability goals. These include exceeding the facility’s level of regulatory compliance, a linking of business benefits to the maintenance of a safe and an “always on” power and ventilation environment, and a sensible approach to technology upgrades that includes new strategies for “selling” technological improvements to executives. This reference guide offers recommendations for identifying and addressing each of these issues.
Connected Services Study – Facility Managers Respond to IoTSchneider Electric
According to a new 2017 study commissioned by Schneider Electric, facility managers are increasingly looking to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) by implementing new digital technologies like intelligent analytics to improve maintenance decisions and operations. Explore the full results on how facility managers are reacting to IoT when it comes to facility maintenance.
Learn more about cabling and accessories and the complete ranges available featuring 3 types of cable to suit the envirionment. For more details: http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-subcategory/88035-cordset-and-connectors/?filter=business-1-industrial-automation-and-control&parent-category-id=4900
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A world-class global brand offering a comprehensive line of Limit Switches complying with international standards: IEC, UL, CSA, CCC, GOST. For more details: http://www.tesensors.com/global/en/product/limit-switches/xc-standard/?cat_id=BU_AUT_520_L4&conf=sensors&el_typ=node&nod_id=0000000002&prev_nod_id=0000000001&scp_id=Z000
Communications Mining Series - Zero to Hero - Session 1DianaGray10
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• Communication Mining Overview
• Why is it important?
• How can it help today’s business and the benefits
• Phases in Communication Mining
• Demo on Platform overview
• Q/A
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
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GraphRAG is All You need? LLM & Knowledge GraphGuy Korland
Guy Korland, CEO and Co-founder of FalkorDB, will review two articles on the integration of language models with knowledge graphs.
1. Unifying Large Language Models and Knowledge Graphs: A Roadmap.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.08302
2. Microsoft Research's GraphRAG paper and a review paper on various uses of knowledge graphs:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/graphrag-unlocking-llm-discovery-on-narrative-private-data/
Why You Should Replace Windows 11 with Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 for enhanced perfor...SOFTTECHHUB
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One such alternative that has garnered significant attention and acclaim is Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, a sleek, powerful, and user-friendly Linux distribution that promises to redefine the way we interact with our devices. With its focus on performance, security, and customization, Nitrux Linux presents a compelling case for those seeking to break free from the constraints of proprietary software and embrace the freedom and flexibility of open-source computing.
Elevating Tactical DDD Patterns Through Object CalisthenicsDorra BARTAGUIZ
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Climate Impact of Software Testing at Nordic Testing DaysKari Kakkonen
My slides at Nordic Testing Days 6.6.2024
Climate impact / sustainability of software testing discussed on the talk. ICT and testing must carry their part of global responsibility to help with the climat warming. We can minimize the carbon footprint but we can also have a carbon handprint, a positive impact on the climate. Quality characteristics can be added with sustainability, and then measured continuously. Test environments can be used less, and in smaller scale and on demand. Test techniques can be used in optimizing or minimizing number of tests. Test automation can be used to speed up testing.
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...BookNet Canada
The publishing industry has been selling digital audiobooks and ebooks for over a decade and has found its groove. What’s changed? What has stayed the same? Where do we go from here? Join a group of leading sales peers from across the industry for a conversation about the lessons learned since the popularization of digital books, best practices, digital book supply chain management, and more.
Link to video recording: https://bnctechforum.ca/sessions/selling-digital-books-in-2024-insights-from-industry-leaders/
Presented by BookNet Canada on May 28, 2024, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
GraphSummit Singapore | The Art of the Possible with Graph - Q2 2024Neo4j
Neha Bajwa, Vice President of Product Marketing, Neo4j
Join us as we explore breakthrough innovations enabled by interconnected data and AI. Discover firsthand how organizations use relationships in data to uncover contextual insights and solve our most pressing challenges – from optimizing supply chains, detecting fraud, and improving customer experiences to accelerating drug discoveries.
PHP Frameworks: I want to break free (IPC Berlin 2024)Ralf Eggert
In this presentation, we examine the challenges and limitations of relying too heavily on PHP frameworks in web development. We discuss the history of PHP and its frameworks to understand how this dependence has evolved. The focus will be on providing concrete tips and strategies to reduce reliance on these frameworks, based on real-world examples and practical considerations. The goal is to equip developers with the skills and knowledge to create more flexible and future-proof web applications. We'll explore the importance of maintaining autonomy in a rapidly changing tech landscape and how to make informed decisions in PHP development.
This talk is aimed at encouraging a more independent approach to using PHP frameworks, moving towards a more flexible and future-proof approach to PHP development.
GraphSummit Singapore | The Future of Agility: Supercharging Digital Transfor...Neo4j
Leonard Jayamohan, Partner & Generative AI Lead, Deloitte
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Sudheer Mechineni, Head of Application Frameworks, Standard Chartered Bank
Discover how Standard Chartered Bank harnessed the power of Neo4j to transform complex data access challenges into a dynamic, scalable graph database solution. This keynote will cover their journey from initial adoption to deploying a fully automated, enterprise-grade causal cluster, highlighting key strategies for modelling organisational changes and ensuring robust disaster recovery. Learn how these innovations have not only enhanced Standard Chartered Bank’s data infrastructure but also positioned them as pioneers in the banking sector’s adoption of graph technology.
Essentials of Automations: The Art of Triggers and Actions in FMESafe Software
In this second installment of our Essentials of Automations webinar series, we’ll explore the landscape of triggers and actions, guiding you through the nuances of authoring and adapting workspaces for seamless automations. Gain an understanding of the full spectrum of triggers and actions available in FME, empowering you to enhance your workspaces for efficient automation.
We’ll kick things off by showcasing the most commonly used event-based triggers, introducing you to various automation workflows like manual triggers, schedules, directory watchers, and more. Plus, see how these elements play out in real scenarios.
Whether you’re tweaking your current setup or building from the ground up, this session will arm you with the tools and insights needed to transform your FME usage into a powerhouse of productivity. Join us to discover effective strategies that simplify complex processes, enhancing your productivity and transforming your data management practices with FME. Let’s turn complexity into clarity and make your workspaces work wonders!
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
A tale of scale & speed: How the US Navy is enabling software delivery from l...sonjaschweigert1
Rapid and secure feature delivery is a goal across every application team and every branch of the DoD. The Navy’s DevSecOps platform, Party Barge, has achieved:
- Reduction in onboarding time from 5 weeks to 1 day
- Improved developer experience and productivity through actionable findings and reduction of false positives
- Maintenance of superior security standards and inherent policy enforcement with Authorization to Operate (ATO)
Development teams can ship efficiently and ensure applications are cyber ready for Navy Authorizing Officials (AOs). In this webinar, Sigma Defense and Anchore will give attendees a look behind the scenes and demo secure pipeline automation and security artifacts that speed up application ATO and time to production.
We will cover:
- How to remove silos in DevSecOps
- How to build efficient development pipeline roles and component templates
- How to deliver security artifacts that matter for ATO’s (SBOMs, vulnerability reports, and policy evidence)
- How to streamline operations with automated policy checks on container images
A tale of scale & speed: How the US Navy is enabling software delivery from l...
Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
1. Preparing for the Future: How
Asset Management Will Evolve in
the Age of the Smart Grid
Executive summary
Most utilities struggle to organize information about their
distribution network assets. Operations, engineering,
accounting, and other business functions all use
different tools and systems, forcing grid operators to
synchronize separate databases. This paper presents an
improved approach to managing grid assets by
establishing a ‘single source of the truth,’ eliminating
special-purpose databases, utilizing spatial databases,
and incorporating a workflow management tool to
support database updates.
998-2095-05-28-12AR0
2. Summary
Executive Summary . ................................................................................... p 1
Introduction ................................................................................................. p 2
The State of Asset Management in Utilities Today ........................................ p 4
The Advent of Smart Grid ............................................................................ p 6
Smart Asset (Information) Management ....................................................... p 7
Conclusion................................................................................................... p 9
3. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
Executive summary
Asset information is critical to the efficient and safe operation of the grid. But
utilities have struggled to organize information involving the wide variety of assets
that support operations, engineering, accounting and other business processes.
With asset management functionality spread across several software applications,
grid owners have been forced to maintain multiple databases and synchronize
them.
Further, utilities often try to adapt asset management systems initially intended for
power stations to management of the grid, which is geographically distributed,
where the topology of the network can change frequently, and where a vast
amount of asset information is being added each day through meters, home
automation devices, sensors and other hardware.
Efficient and effective distribution network asset management can be realized by
unifying asset data and seamlessly integrating data systems and applications to
create, in effect, ‘a single version of the truth’. Reducing the versions of asset data
reduces process complexity, the potential for data errors and the costs associated
with database duplications. Incorporating spatial and workflow technologies
furthers smart grid benefits by empowering the utility to use its asset data to
support a wide variety of operational and engineering requirements and enterprise
business processes.
White paper | 01
4. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
Introduction
As the cost of plant operations escalates, utilities are increasingly focused on
managing their assets for efficiency and effectiveness. With many approaches
and technologies available for asset management, most grid companies utilize a
variety of software applications and business processes for this purpose. Now, as
Smart Grid operation becomes a sustainability goal, asset management is entering
a new phase; new types of enabling assets are being added to the network and
the definition of critical assets is expanding and changing. At the same time, the
high cost of asset maintenance and replacement, and the new capabilities for
using information to optimize asset use are contributing to the evolution in asset
operations and maintenance.
In this paper, we briefly analyze the tools and practices in place today and examine
the requirements imposed by the impending Smart Grid asset revolution. We
present a concept for improving asset management by streamlining IT operations,
integrating systems, and interfacing these operations with the business processes
associated with asset management. The business benefits of improved asset
management are especially attractive in the Smart Grid era, enabling grid owners
and operators to manage and leverage traditional plants and incorporate new,
innovative and intelligent devices for optimal performance.
White paper | 02
5. Preparing for the Future: How
Asset Management Will Evolve
in the Age of Smart Grid
6. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
The State of Asset Management in
Utilities Today
Electricity utilities have a variety of software tools
available to manage their assets, ranging from
Asset/Work Management Systems — often called
Enterprise Asset Management, or EAM systems —
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Planning
Systems, System Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) systems, Distribution Management Systems
(DMS), and Fixed Asset Accounting Systems —
often called Plant Accounting or Continuing Property
Records, or CPR, systems. Each of these tools has a
particular business application:
• sset/Work Management Systems – These
A
systems, which have been available for more than
two decades, enable engineering recordkeeping;
the creation and tracking of maintenance
schedules; supplier information, in some instances;
• CADA – These systems maintain sufficient asset
S
and related project/work order information that
information to enable dispatchers to operate the
chronicles the history of the asset, from initial
network. This information includes operational
construction/assembly through retirement.
characteristics, connectivity to other devices, and
telemetry information regarding the load on those
• IS – These systems are used primarily to track
G
devices. SCADA systems use real-time information
the location of assets once they are installed
telemetered from the electricity network within a
and operational. They also can be used to track
second of actual occurrence in the field.
connectivity of electrical devices, that is, to
determine network topology. GIS is often seen
• MS – The Distribution Management System adds
D
as a software application on its own; in fact, it is
a layer of modeling and computation onto the
a technology enabler for asset information and
real-time depiction of the network to realize analysis
various computations regarding assets.
and optimization. DMS asset models require moredetailed electrical parameters and less physical
• lanning Systems – Planning software solutions
P
asset information.
contain a mathematical construct of the network,
based on the asset configuration and the demand
• ixed Asset Accounting – Fixed asset systems
F
at each network ’node‘. These planning systems
manage the property records of the business.
use a model of the assets, which generally is
These records are used in computing depreciation
built separately from the asset management/GIS
values; rates, via a regulatory process; and property
systems at the utility.
values in case of loss or replacement. Assets are
added to the fixed asset ledgers when initially
assembled or constructed and then removed at
retirement.
White paper | 04
7. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
Utilities have struggled with managing these disparate
systems, often implemented independently from
each other and by different parts of the organization
to meet different business needs. For example,
engineers generally implement asset management
and GIS systems, accountants implement fixed
asset systems, and system operations organizations
implement SCADA/DMS. The systems are generally
acquired from a variety of suppliers, sometimes
each from a unique supplier. They might be based
on different programming languages, databases and
human interface formats.
Because all of these application software systems
have been used for several years, the individual
systems are mature and often have a large user
base. Some have been integrated by utilities to
But adoption of standard models, messaging
create a stronger asset management framework,
frameworks and architectures has been slow, for a
but virtually all of these interfaces are ’project-ware’
number of reasons. The maturity of asset system
and not integration products that are supported and
software packages, including all implementation
upgraded by the respective software developers.
project-ware, is a barrier. Vendor compliance and
alignment with standards has been spotty. Most
Nearly all stakeholders involved will admit that assets
importantly, asset management systems applied to
are duplicated in these disparate systems, resulting
the distribution side of the business have been as
in redundant effort, conflicting values and higher
diverse as the business practices used to operate
cost. The industry has responded by collaborating
them. In fact, the industry has generally not paid
to develop ‘standard’ data models, such as the
the same amount of attention to distribution asset
Common Information Model (CIM) of EPRI/IEC, and
information as it has to the data involved with
common integration standards for exchange of asset
transmission and generation assets. However, with
information, including the IEC 61968 and MultiSpeak
the advent of the Smart Grid, that inconsistency must
standards. More recently, development of standard
change.
®
integration architectures such as the Microsoft
®
Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA) have
added to the tools for integrating asset systems.
White paper | 05
8. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
The Advent of Smart Grid
The underlying business drivers for a smarter grid
have forced utilities to recognize the need to manage
distribution grids more effectively. Some of the most
important factors include:
• emand patterns are changing. Electricity
D
consumers are adding new kinds of appliances and
other devices, including electric vehicles, to the grid
at growing rates, changing the previously reliable
consumption patterns. In addition to devices that
directly attach to the grid and consume energy,
electric vehicles can also connect through charging
stations, creating a different business relationship
for the customer with the utility. While electric
throughout the world as a result of environmental
vehicles are a significant element in the change
concerns about large fossil fuel plants contributing
that is occurring within the distribution system,
to global warming. While some of these new
there is no doubt that consumers of all types
distributed generators, such as large wind farms,
are increasingly relying on electricity in their daily
are linked to the transmission grid, they also are
routines.
connected on the distribution network to provide
• dditional telemetry devices are being
A
deployed on the distribution network. These
devices — including meters, smart home devices
and others — are generally used for sensing and
data telemetry. A large number of new assets
power to local consumers. This development
adds more complexity to the distribution network
and operation of those assets in a reliable and
sustainable manner.
• dditional smart switches are being added
A
associated with the distribution network are
to the distribution network. There is a strong
being added, including the end-devices and the
movement to add intelligent switching to the
telecommunications systems that telemeter data to
distribution network to support self-healing
the utility’s IT systems.
operations, balance load and resolve outages more
• here is an added requirement to understand
T
quickly.
the topology of the distribution network. Utilities
As a result of these developments, there are
that have paid limited attention to the real-time
additional assets in the distribution network with
understanding of their distribution networks are
additional attributes not typically involved before. In
finding that, in the era of Smart Grid, it is important
this environment, the use of disparate technology
to manage that network topology more precisely.
systems with large numbers of interfaces and
This network management is needed to extend
multiple versions of assets that require constant
the asset life and to provide reliable service
synchronization becomes even less viable. To achieve
downstream.
Smart Grid operation, utilities must move in the other
• eneration is becoming more distributed.
G
Distributed, ‘green’ generation is growing
direction — towards ‘a single version of the truth’ for
their asset-intensive software applications.
White paper | 06
9. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
Smart Asset (Information) Management
In parallel with implementing a smarter grid,
3. Establishment of spatial databases to manage
stakeholders must also implement a smarter
smart grid asset information. Today’s database
approach to managing the assets of that grid. In
technology manages today’s asset information
broad terms, there are four important steps to
reasonably well, but the needs of the Smart Grid
realizing efficient and effective asset information
suggest that data maintained in a spatial context
management in the age of the Smart Grid:
will be more useful in managing the topology of
the network that is based on manually entered
1. stablishment of a ‘single version of the truth’.
E
or telemetered data. Further, it is easier to create
Utilities need to target the future and take the
reports, charts and graphs from spatial information
steps necessary to improve data integrity related
than it is to create maps from traditional asset
to distribution assets. With a ‘single version of the
databases. Connectivity and network topology are
truth’ and a strong workflow, data is entered once.
far more easily represented and maintained in a
Then, this data can be shared across all platforms
spatial database context.
that need it if they are based on standard models,
integration techniques and reference architectures
In addition, spatial databases support more than
provided by industry vendors who recognize this
map creation and performing simple geographic
critical need.
analyses. With software applications added to the
basic GIS, the utility can manage the topology
‘A single version of the truth’ does not mean that
of its electric grid based on information sourced
all assets must be modeled in a single physical
from both human input and telemetry. Once the
database. With all of the software applications
topology is known, the spatial information can be
involved, consolidation at that level is not
used to compute a topology model of the grid
foreseeable in the near term. Instead, the utility
which then allows study of potential outages,
should reduce the number of physical databases
contingencies and the identification of other
and make certain its business processes update
problems such as voltage issues. Finally, mobile
data as new information is received in a manner
GIS, or GIS in the field, enables data capture
that assures data integrity across the enterprise.
where the changes are happening and reduces the
cost and potential error of updating the database,
2. limination of the use of special purpose
E
after the fact, from marked-up paper maps. Data
databases for smart grid assets. Utilities should
collected in the field is more timely and supports
consider using the same asset management
the ‘single version of the truth’ concept.
software used for power equipment to manage
the additional assets associated with Smart
4. Establishment of a workflow management tool
Grid implementation — the smart devices,
to support database updates. Utilities have yet
communications equipment and the equipment
to make extensive use of workflow software in
needed to manage distributed generation.
their IT environments. Instead, business processes
Reducing the number of systems involved in
are more directly and manually programmed
managing assets of any kind will greatly simplify
into applications software. For many reasons,
the IT environment.
most utilities have operated in a vertical, or silo,
White paper | 07
10. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
configuration, where experts in an area manage
the business functions in that area. Business
processes within those verticals tend to be very
strong but lose that strength when crossing
boundaries from one vertical area to the other.
WorkFlow Management software connects multiple
software applications to support robust and
successful cross-vertical business processes.
The utility using such workflow tools is assured
that a single change in an asset is replicated
across other databases that contain the same
asset. For example, when a pole is replaced, the
update to the spatial database will also update the
asset management and fixed asset accounting
systems, and, if desired, the planning and SCADA
systems as well. Similarly, when a normally-open
switch is closed, the network configuration is
changed immediately, and software evaluating the
state of the distribution network based on the new
configuration is initiated.
White paper | 8
11. Preparing for the Future: How Asset Management Will Evolve in the Age of Smart Grid
Conclusion
Smart Grid implementation involves more than adding smart meters, smart line
devices and customer-owned assets to utility infrastructure. The Smart Grid also
challenges existing asset management norms and is prompting utilities to streamline
the management of asset data and the processes involved in updating that data —
to adopt ‘a single version of the truth’. Leveraging standard integration tools and
architectures, as well as spatial and workflow technologies, will allow the seamless
management of network assets that supports a Smart Grid-level of functionality —
and the resulting benefits — for utilities.
White paper | 9