MicroSCADA X Distribution Management System - DMS600

Description

The traditional SCADA functionality, such as on-line network monitoring data, is complemented with an advanced DMS network database. This enables new real-time applications for improved network monitoring and outage management. You can instantaneously determine fault location along the feeder and present the exact fault location on a geographical map. You can control your process, manage your field crew and provide outstanding service to your customers with a single system. 

Reliable and relevant information is the basis of correct and fast decision making, as well as of safe operations. The MicroSCADA X SCADA/DMS system efficiently utilizes and refines data from the process, enabling you to access important information. Advanced data categorization and prioritization ensure that your operators receive the right amount of relevant information in all situations. In addition, the intelligent applications in MicroSCADA X provide refined fault data and suggest corrective actions.

MicroSCADA X can work in a redundant mode with two separate computers, one hosting the main application and the other one hosting the back-up application. All data is simultaneously updated in both computers and if the main computer fails, the back-ups will take over.

The modular MicroSCADA X is today’s investment for tomorrow. Its ability to adapt to your changing needs will always provide a path that takes you forward. Start with monitoring functionality, integrate additional functionality, such as control, reporting, redundancy and network topology, then plan system functionality upgrades in response to your future needs.  

Fault isolation and restoration (FDIR)

Fault location along feeder, in minimum the remote controllable zone where the fault is, must be determined before isolation and restoration can be planned. DMS600 can use fault indicators to determine faulted area but can also make fault distance calculation using protection IED information like fault current magnitude (A) or measured fault reactance (ohm). Most accurate fault location estimate is crucial also in later phases when field crews are searching the faulted network line or component.

The isolation and restoration planning function offers support for planning of operations needed after feeder faults. The function detects the possible operations, which can be carried out by remote control. The initial information for the function is the result of the fault location explained above. The fault isolation planning isolates the located fault as soon as possible and at the same time finds switching to restore power to the first part of the feeder.

At the next step possible control actions to restore power from neighboring feeders via normally open points are analyzed. This is often called as back-feed restoration where the maximum amount of customers will be restored from other feeder(s) before repairing the fault. This analysis is taking into account all technical limitations like loading capacities of cables and voltage drops because of more loaded lines.

In this complicated analysis the centralized intelligence in control center or at the substation gives best results:

• Works dynamically in any network situation (no pre-configuration)

• Can even handle several simultaneous faults in the area

• Technical constraints can be checked in powerful analysis utilizing network and load models

The created optimal switching sequence can then be executed by the operator or even automatically in FDIR using MicroSCADA X SYS600.

Automatic Fault Isolation and Restoration (FDIR) Isolation and restoration planning can be used to produce the switching sequence for automatic fault isolation and restoration. The function speed up the service restoration especially in the case of unmanned control center.

The administrator of the system have a possibility to set automatic fault isolation and restoration functionality on. If the functionality is not switched on fault isolation and restoration is handled by operator control actions. If the automatic functionality is turned on and the fault can be definitely located to a remote controllable zone, DMS600 generates the switching sequence and runs the automatic execution by MicroSCADA X SYS600 application. Depending on settings sequence execution can be totally automatic or an operator confirmation to run the sequence may be required.

Volt/VAr management

Coordinated management means that DMS600 can utilize available measurements from many locations along with distribution networks and can make optimal control decisions to keep voltages at a good level and to minimize losses in the network. These measurement points include primary and secondary substations, pole-mounted switches, and even smart meters providing real voltage in customer premises.

The objectives of Volt-VAr control are:

• Keeping voltages in limits

• Reducing losses by minimizing reactive power flows

• Reducing peak power by voltage reduction

The voltage reduction (conservation voltage reduction, CVR) is an own mode in the application. In that mode, separate voltage limit parameters are used. The control variables include capacitor bank status and voltage tap changer or regulator set-point or position. Controllable capacitor banks and transformer tap changers can be selected in settings and are easy to change. The application supports both direct control of tap positions and setting voltage set-points depending on the mode of the controller (automatic/manual). The mode can be read from SCADA process object.

The application can run without capable load flow calculation using real voltage measurements via SCADA communication. When good load flow results (afterload estimation) are available so-called pseudo-measurements can be defined to use the results from the load flow calculation.

Features

• Leading functionality: MicroSCADA X provides all the functionality that is expected from a modern SCADA/DMS system. This functionality is based on advanced and proven algorithms, for instance for fault location, as well as for restoration and network reconfiguration. The traditional SCADA functionality, such as on-line network monitoring data, is complemented with an advanced DMS network database. 
  
  
• Network analysis and visualization for situational awareness: Using MicroSCADA X, the operator can monitor the network state and related measurements, and then perform the control actions needed. Versatile process displays, lists and application tools for network tracing, locating components and reporting provide the necessary information for different users. Dynamic line coloring delivers information about topological connectivity, powered/un-powered network sections and about overloaded lines and voltage drops.
  The entire network can be viewed on detailed geographical maps in raster and vector formats, as well as in a schematic diagram. Zooming, panning and de-cluttering enable a clear overview and allow users to focus on a specific area to obtain detailed information. The functions are at hand via process displays, maps and schematic network views. In geographical views, several map layers can be used to provide the details needed. 
• Dependable operational safety: MicroSCADA X prevents simultaneous operation of primary equipment. It reserves the device, and verifies whether the selected object can be operated, before executing the command. Additionally, interlocking schemes prevent dangerous operations that might otherwise damage primary equipment. Only authorized users can override interlocking and other locked operations. The lock-out/tag-out function ensures that control of objects in the application or other operations are properly secured prior to and during, for example, maintenance or servicing work. 
  
  
• Operational efficiency while keeping the network safe: The switch order management function supports planning, simulation, execution and reporting of scheduled maintenance outage operations. The intelligent algorithms automatically optimize the switching sequence to minimize the number of affected customers. 
  
  
• Extensive reporting facilities: MicroSCADA X provides extensive facilities for operational and measurement reporting. This enables fast and efficient reporting of operational statistics and outages to the utility's own management and external parties, such as authorities and media. 
   
• Support for asset management: MicroSCADA X integrates versatile asset management support in the SCADA/DMS system. The detailed maintenance and component data in the relational database can be utilized when planning maintenance activities and component replacements.