Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EE Magazine March / April 2009 - Index

Integrated SCADA/DMS/OMS: Increasing Distribution Operations Efficiency
As shown in figure 3, the DMS applications and OMS applications
utilize a common network model. The OMS applications are used
primarily in outage response. The DMS applications typically relate to
the electrical operation of the network and utilize electrical data from
the integrated DMS/OMS model, such as line and cable impedances,
equipment ratings, and customer load characteristics. The DMS/OMS
can utilize data from other distribution IT systems that collect system
data from field devices. This includes SCADA, as discussed above.
SCADA continues to expand past the distribution substation and onto
the feeders, providing improved situational awareness and control.
The increasing presence of AMI has many organizations asking how
the AMI data can be utilized for operational purposes. Interfaces
between AMI/MDM (Advanced Metering Infrastructure/Meter Data
Management) and the OMS have been provided for metering pinging,
outage notifications, and restoration notifications. The use of other
AMI data in DMS applications, such as interval demand data and
voltage violations, is being explored.
In addition, many organizations are increasing the amount of
substation automation and substation computers on their systems.
This provides increased access to the data in intelligent electronic
devices (IEDs) that are being installed in substations and distribution
system, many of which have communications capabilities. These
include “more intelligent” recloser controls, switch controls, and
voltage regulator controls.
The architecture of how data is transmitted between field devices
and the integrated operations center will vary among distribution
organizations, and there may be several approaches with a company
itself. Whatever the approach, the data can assist in increasing
operational awareness on the system.
figure 3 - Architecture for a Fully Integrated Distribution Operations Center
34 I March-April 2009 Issue
Summary
Distribution organizations are increasingly turning to integrated
distribution operations centers, including integrated SCADA/DMS/
OMS systems and associated decision support tools, to improve their
operational processes. An integrated DMS/OMS solution eliminates
redundant processes for maintaining the network model and also
improves operational efficiencies. Integration of SCADA and the
DMS/OMS permits advanced DMS applications to access data from
SCADA, analyze the real-time DMS/OMS network model, and provide
increased operator efficiencies. Integration with other systems, such
as AMI and substation automation systems, provide additional means
to leverage the available data throughout an organization.
About the Authors
Tim Taylor is the Business Development Manager - DMS for ABB
Network Management. Tim has been with ABB for almost 14 years
in a number of engineering, consulting, and business development
roles. Tim has performed distribution planning studies for companies
around the world and has developed and taught courses on distribution
planning and engineering. Tim is a Senior Member of IEEE and holds
an MS in Electrical Engineering from NC State University and an
MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Hormoz Kazemzadeh is the Director of Marketing for ABB Network
Management. He has over 18 years of experience in development,
implementation, and integration of network planning and operations
systems for the electric utility. Hormoz has held positions in system
engineering, project management, and marketing. He holds a Masters
degree in electrical engineering from the Ohio State University in
Columbus, Ohio.