Transmission & Distribution Technology
capability of electrical grids to meet demand, which is predicted to continue growing for many years. Options for a large-scale rebuilding
of the power delivery infrastructure are limited; instead, innovative new technologies that convert existing grids into smart fl exible solutions that can be implemented over time seem to be the way forward. T e partner companies are addressing
this requirement by creating a complete microgrid control solution, based on NI CompactRIO hardware. T e software runs on embedded controllers deployed in key points in the grid, distributing intelligence and decentralised decision- making out to the remote devices and distributed energy resources. T e objective is to create a platform
for securely managing power fl ow, peak load, distributed generation and other energy assets using real-time data collection, analytics and control on a distributed intelligence network, pushing the decision-making out into the network, increasing the system’s fault- tolerance. T is solution is in fact a scalable architecture, which can be deployed on both large and small grids, and is able to grow (or contract) with the needs of the operator.
Each device deployed to the network exhibits certain key features including high-speed data capture, high-speed logging, event detection, protocol translation (including Modbus, DNP3, IEC61850 and other custom protocols), custom control processing, custom control algorithm deployment processing, built-in security and remote device management. In addition, the open architecture
allows expansion of the system and ensures interoperability. Fundamental to the design is embedded database technology. T e core of the solution is a secure distributed data management system, in which each remote device stores its own local data in an internal encrypted database. T e data from each device can be confi gured to fl ow up to a higher storage capacity device installed in a substation, operations centre, or other major node within the grid. As the technology is based on NI CompactRIO embedded controllers, it is natural to use NI LabVIEW software for most of the embedded development
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to be deployed on VxWorks and Linux- based operating systems. Further, many grid operators run Windows, so there is a need for a cross-platform, highly fl exible database solution that also supports encryption. For this, an embedded database with a native LabVIEW API–Raima Database API for LabVIEW, implemented with RDM Embedded 12, is used. T is provides a database management solution, specifi cally designed for applications deployed on NI CompactRIO and NI Single-Board RIO devices. Standalone operation is therefore possible because the database resides in the LabVIEW data directory. It off ers extended functionality to share data between multiple targets – whether sharing information between NI CompactRIO devices or outside computers.
E
lectrical supply grids are having to become smarter so that they can self-optimise and improve their
overall effi ciency.
T e Raima Database API for LabVIEW provides programmers with a way to quickly and easily design data management functionality into their applications, using an intuitive and easy-to-use programming interface that is familiar to them. Rugged and reliable, with fast, high
performance, Raima Database API for LabVIEW is available on the LabVIEW Tools Network and is the fi rst database to deliver relational data management locally, on real-time NI CompactRIO devices. One or more NI CompactRIO or NI Single-Board RIO devices may store and share data without requiring connectivity to external database servers. Events may be logged and queried, streams may be captured and confi gurations may be shared through Raima functions. T e database technology supports
VxWorks and support for the NI Linux Real-Time targeted platforms is now available, which was important for LocalGrid. Furthermore, its small footprint means it can run on a variety of embedded systems in fi eld devices that may have very limited resources. ●
Steinar Sande is CEO of database technology specialist company, Raima, based in Seattle, USA.
www.raima.com
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