Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EEMag May June 2008 - Index

Taming the Data Deluge
The Key to a “Smarter” Grid
As the term ‘Smart Grid’ has entered the mainstream, it has taken on
many forms and interpretations, becoming the all-purpose utilities
buzzword of the year. At the DistribuTECH conference in January, it
seemed that practically every vendor in the Tampa convention center
was hawking their Smart Grid wares.
Smart Grid technology continues to evolve and change the utilities
industry. From automatic meter reading (AMR) and automated
vehicle location (AVL) to critical infrastructure protection and load
management, Smart Grid components are providing a way for utilities
to control and manage their environment, and the challenges that
accompany it. These “smart” or “intelligent” devices allow utilities
to enhance network performance and reliability. Combined with
communications and software applications, smart devices enable
utilities to improve operational responses, reducing the impact and
frequencies of power outages.
However, along with all of these new, “smart” technologies comes
a deluge of data, making it difficult for electric system operators to
monitor and control all of these applications and information at the
same time. Due to this overwhelming amount of data, utilities can
greatly benefit by adopting a single, integrated user interface that
provides operators with a clear, overall picture. Bringing together
all data from various devices in a way that is meaningful and easy
to understand significantly increases the value of a Smart Grid
implementation. “Smart” or “intelligent” technologies are no good
without a smart operator who is empowered to make fast, wellinformed
decisions.
Power threats
There is a clear need for an intelligent network environment within the
utilities industry. As costs rise and infrastructure ages, the demand
for reliable power is increasing. Utilities must take security threats
more seriously post 9/11. A CIA analyst reported in January that cyber
attackers had hacked into the computer systems of utility companies
in several regions outside the United States, in at least one case
causing a power outage that affected multiple cities.
Outages cost utilities money and, at the very least, create inconvenience
for their customers. Outages also cost the local and national economy.
In 000, a one-hour power outage at the Chicago Board of Trade
disrupted trading and prohibited nearly $ 0 trillion worth of trade.
34 I May-June 2008 Issue
By Jay Stinson, Intergraph Corporation
Vice President & General Manager, Utilities & Communications
Some outages cannot be prevented, such as those created by storms.
For example, hurricanes, damaging winds and ice storms can leave
homes and businesses without power for weeks. While storms cannot
be predicted, many outages are the result of aging equipment and
loading problems. In February 008, a system disturbance in south
Florida led to the loss of power to a dozen plants and transmission
lines, and cut power to millions of customers. A fault at a substation
was the starting point for the outage.
Figure 1 – Smart grid technologies include devices in the field, software
applications in the operations center and a smart communication network that
enables real-time network management and monitoring, ideally all integrated
through one central command-and-control center.
There are also growing environmental concerns that could affect
power production – whether it’s conserving water or reducing the
impact to our surroundings. For example, as a result of droughts in
007, utilities in California and the Southeast had to cut hydropower
output in half.
Regardless of the cause of an outage, customers want their service
restored as quickly as possible. Utilities effectively managing their
network and resources are in the best position to make sound
decisions and respond rapidly.
Abundance of data
Utilities must meet the obvious challenges of cost savings and
operational efficiencies. Additionally, the industry is facing demands
to become “carbon neutral,” incorporate renewable energy and limit or
eliminate new plant construction. This compels customers and energy
providers to manage power loads more effectively. Load management
is the principal goal of a Smart Grid implementation.