Same Network, New Challenges
The distribution network is a huge asset, distributed over a wide area. While much of this asset hasn’t changed for decades, its use is changing very rapidly. A new paradigm shift must address growing challenges with the introduction of distributed energy resources (DERs), reduced budgets and high-performance expectations. Doing things the way they have always been done is not enough – utilities now need data more than ever to make best use of their assets – both the physical assets and the people who manage and operate them.
Introducing Smart Infrastructure Solutions (SIS)
The Dynamic Ratings ConnectGrid™ Smart Infrastructure Solution (SIS) is an agile technology stack that enhances connectivity to grid edge assets for better management. Tailor the system to meet varying security, scalability and availability requirements. Many options are available in architecture and communication technology.
The distribution system (electric power grid) represents the largest interconnected machine in the world. The ConnectGrid™ Smart Infrastructure Solution is ideal for distributed assets. It manages big data, machine to machine communications and provides much needed sophisticated analytics. The IoT platform can bridge operational technology hardware such as transformer monitors and line sensors with energy business systems such as PI. This ensures the data is securely and easily transmitted to all the stake holders within a large organization so planning, construction and maintenance and asset management can all operate seamlessly with cooperation.
Dashboard, Application and Services
Many organizations fall into the trap of analyzing technical details while losing site of how to turn the data into actionable information. Staying focused on the business’ needs helps define which dashboard solution will best meet organizational goals.
Infrastructure
Communications
Wireless communications is abundant across all industry segments. Organizations with multiple sites and distribution assets have been using various technologies to reach those end points for years. The ConnectGrid™ Industrial IoT platform takes advantage of the latest Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) communication technologies. LPWAN technologies offer decreased power usage, increased range and lower capital and operational costs than traditional communication technologies.
Connected Products
Dynamic Ratings offers several monitoring devices that natively integrate into the ConnectGrid™ IoT platform. There is also a serial gateway to integrate third party devices that support an RS 232 or R485 connection. This allows all customers to maximize the benefits of this exciting technology to improve grid edge connectivity and analytics for their entire system.
Advantages of Implementing SIS
Keep Electricity Safe
We must protect both the public and employees who live and work around electrical assets. These hazards may range from downed conductors through to wildfires that threaten property and life.
Broken Neutral Detection – detect broken or damaged conductors, including service neutrals. Identifying these issues early can save lives.
Fallen Conductors & High Impedance Faults – use real time waveform analysis and anomaly detection to detect downed conductors, high impedance faults and back-fed faults – allowing a speedy response.
Vegetation Management – detecting small repetitive faults enhances vegetation management plans and helps prevent fires.
Keep the Lights On
High reliability is demanded from the power network. Asset managers and maintenance teams can use data to improve their methods of keeping the lights on and reducing SAIDI and SAIFI.
Fault Location -Smart Fault Current Indicators can immediately provide fault location information to shorten outage times.
ADMS – ADMS needs data to rapidly switch the network to reconnect as many customers as possible after a fault.
Asset Condition Monitoring – Pole tilt, transformer temperature and conductor vibration are examples of data from around the distribution network that are being used to detect incipient faults.
Do More with Less
Everyone is driven to reduce cost and increase performance. This paradox demands new tools to help leverage our assets and teams much more efficiently. Using data-driven processes, we can do more with less.
Planning– With granular network data, planning for asset upgrades can be made with certainty and well in advance.
Network Capacity– Whether it’s network load or solar PV hosting capacity, maximize the full capabilities of the network infrastructure.
Theft Detection – Correlate billing data with measured network data to find the cracks where revenue is going missing.
Enable the Low Carbon Transition
Sustainability has never been a more important consideration than today. Electricity networks are being expected to be the backbone that makes new low-carbon and distributed resources work seamlessly.
Closed Loop Voltage Control – Substation OLTCs can be controlled using measured network voltages to reduce voltage excursions as DERs are pushing voltages up.
DER Orchestration – Remotely control inverters and other energy systems to balance the grid and keep the network stable.
Granular Demand Management – From rate limiting EV chargers to reducing AC load on a hot day, demand management is no longer a blunt instrument. Peak shave and keep customers on while deferring upgrades.