Communication Architecture Projects

 

Recent projects performed by Xanthus staff include:

 

Network and System Management Development for Distribution Automation

Automation of certain key distribution operations is now more technologically feasible and less costly than in the past, and is thus becoming the most cost-beneficial means for utilities to meet the challenges of the future.

In the future, the reliable and cost-effective operation of the distribution power system will become increasingly reliant on an overlaying, complex information infrastructure of field equipment, communications links, integrated sets of applications, and data from other systems.

For the power system to operate reliably, this information infrastructure must also be reliable and well-managed in order for the distribution automation functions to be efficiently and effectively implemented and maintained over the long term. Indeed, only with a reliable information infrastructure can distribution automation functions come to be trusted and therefore fully utilized in distribution operations and by the distribution dispatchers.

Distribution Automation functions are more than just remote monitoring and control of distribution equipment; they are automated processes for improving distribution operations in order to meet the increasing pressures to reduce operational costs, customer demands for improved power quality, and the availability and decreasing costs of enabling information technologies that allow automation to be truly cost-beneficial.

The only way to meet the future distribution operations requirements is to design the distribution operation processes with as much automation as is cost-beneficial, and migrate toward this goal

Network and system infrastructure requirements to support DA functions include:

  • Well-managed communications infrastructure to support the increased number of field devices with extensive remote monitoring and control capabilities

  • Accurate data that is consistent across systems, validated as changes and updates are made, and well-managed through policies and tools.

  • Well-tested DA applications primarily in the control center but also distributed in field devices

  • Well-designed, well-managed, and easily updated information exchanges between the DA applications and other systems such as SCADA, GIS, OMS, CIS, etc.

  • Appropriate physical and cyber security

Xanthus staff developed the network and system management requirements for Distribution Automation for EPRI. The objectives of this project included:

·         Defining plausible future distribution automation equipment and network management environments

·         Identify the extent of field equipment deployment and scenarios for integration of that equipment

·         Identify functional requirements for managing the networks, remote equipment, data, and plausible future applications

·         Identify existing work that addresses these areas

·         Identify management technologies that are missing or are necessary to develop for and integrated management architecture for distribution automation system management

 

Client-Side Requirements for Data Acquisition and Control Subsystems for Distribution Automation Communications

Xanthus staff developed the client-side requirements for communication systems for Data Acquisition and Control (DAC) subsystems as an EPRI project. In future systems, the functions which need to interact with field end devices are becoming significantly more complex and extensive, and are therefore driving the need for new DAC capabilities, particularly data management capabilities.

Communications Technology Assessment (CTA) for Automation of Utility Operations

Xanthus staff has developed a Web-based report on CD that assesses communications technologies for the automation of utility operations. It addresses the following areas:

·      Utility Business Areas. Each business area starts with a brief description of its functions and responsibilities, and discusses the various business drivers that are affecting the automation and communication requirements of these business functions. Each of the automation systems is then described, and an assessment is made of the alternative communication configurations, system interfaces, media, and protocols required to integrate these automation systems and meet specific utility requirements.

·      Telecommunications Media. Telecommunications media that are often used by utilities are discussed, including a brief description of each medium, a summary of its characteristics, and a list of key advantages and disadvantages. Telecommunication services offered by commercial providers are also covered.

·      Communication Protocols. Communication protocols used by utility operations are discussed, covering the technical description of each protocol, how various protocols at different "layers" are integrated with each other, and what the tradeoffs are for different types of protocols.

·      Security Issues. Information security issues are discussed, covering utility risks and vulnerabilities, as well as a variety of security solutions.

·      Utility R&D Issues. Utility communication and automation issues are discussed that have been raised as questions and potential subjects for R&D - occasionally with strong recommendations; usually just with a laying out of the pros and cons.

·      Glossary. A large glossary of terms used for communications and information technologies is provided.

·      Site Map. A map of the CTA site is provided to provide an overview of the contents of the CTA site as well as direct access to specific topics.

Support for the Development of the IEC TC57 WG14 Distribution Information Exchange Model (DIEM)

Frances Cleveland of Xanthus staff is a member of the IEC TC57 WG14 whose charter is the standardization of information exchanges between systems in distribution operations. Xanthus staff is specifically tasked with chairing the development the DIEM model of information exchanges between distribution system SCADA/DMS operations and the other computerized systems, such as AM/FM, Outage Management, Work Management, Customer Information Systems, Distribution Planning, etc.

The Common Information Model (CIM) was initially conceived as a model of the transmission power system for use in exchanging power flow data. Xanthus staff is actively participating in the extension of CIM to include distribution system information exchange requirements.

UCA Device Models for San Antonio Water System (SAWS)

In collaboration with SAWS and the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF), Xanthus staff developed UCA device models for water system devices, concentrating initially on water valves. This effort is part of the expansion of UCA into other utility industries.

Utility Communication Architecture (UCA)

Xanthus staff were involved in the definition of the UCA from the very beginning, having participated in the organization of EPRI's original workshop on communications of December, 1986. It was this workshop that identified the need for a utility-wide effort to standardize communications among the various components of utility operations.

Since that time, Xanthus staff staff have been involved in several EPRI UCA projects, each of which is aimed at implementing certain aspects of the UCA. These UCA efforts, described elsewhere in their respective project descriptions, include:

1.      EPRI: UCA Device Models for Distributed Energy Resources

2.      City Public Service (CPS) of San Antonio: UCA for a Distribution Automation Project

3.      San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS): UCA Device Models for water equipment

4.      Oglethorpe Power Corporation: Distribution Management System.

5.      EPRI: UCA Data Acquisition and Control (DAC) System for acting as a gateway between UCA remote devices and legacy control center applications.