OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF POWER PLANTS
For the SCADA system, M&S
Engineering selected the OrionLX system from NovaTech Automation. Te OrionLX is a communication and automation processor that can connect to nearly any substation device in its native protocol, perform advanced maths and logic, and securely present the source or calculated data to any number of clients in their own protocol. Te system can be integrated with practically any equipment, usually microprocessor-based relays, meters and other IEDs as well. It is then connected to the SCADA system. For the most economical setup, the City
of Seguin opted to install an OrionLX in each of its three substations that connect wirelessly to a browsing PC with multiple monitors, each representing a substation. Another configuration option for smaller utilities is a centralised model where an Orion is installed in the central office (taking the place of the browsing PC), where it accesses each substation OrionLX and serves up the information to connected networks. Te Orion RTU has advanced in the integration of functions previously accomplished by separate physical devices. For example, separate alarm annunciators and PCs do not have to be connected to the RTU; only a monitor, keyboard, and mouse need be connected. Te Orion Tile Annunciator is a pre-engineered product that can be set up in minutes to serve out alarm status. When combined with
IED “zoom screen” showing real time animation of feeder relay status. In this example, over 80 real time values from the relay are available on this page
sequence of events recording, relay event retrieval, IED faceplates, one-line diagrams, IED faceplates, control screens, and trending, Orion can serve as a complete substation HMI or an economical, small SCADA system. Online diagrams in the Orion HMI
Typical Orion RTU panel with Direct Video monitor, Orion I/O, and Bitronics panel metering and recording IEDs
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show the status of the entire substation at a glance. Tis enables dispatch teams to quickly tell which feeders are open and if there are voltage issues. Feeder breaker zoom screens allow more detailed information to be viewed at the office, such as: ground trip blocked, non-reclosing, max amperage, power factor, and fault currents. History of events can be accumulated, such as: breaker trips, breaker lock outs, reclosers blocked or enabled, low voltage events, high voltage events, and maximum amperage for each circuit. M&S Engineering was also asked to integrate the Orion SCADA system with Milsoft’s outage management system (OMS). OMS are efficient at identifying locations of outages and providing real-time alerts. Te systems also record the history of outages and alert customers about the status of outages and repairs. As part of the project, M&S also specified an upgrade of all electromechanical relays to microprocessor relays from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). NovaTech developed settings that allowed the SEL relays to be accessed by the OrionLX, including real- time data and fault information. “Relays keep detailed records of the electrical conditions at the time of a fault, and that information can be accessed remotely to provide technicians with
critical information on where to go and what might need to be corrected,” says Ray Wright from NovaTech. “You don’t want to have a technician going out and searching the line for miles to find the problem and then have to go back to the shop to get the needed equipment,” he adds. “Ideally, you want to say, ‘Drive to this GPS location, bring a spare fuse, and fix the [known] problem.”
MINIMISING DISPATCHES After the SCADA system, microprocessor- based relays, and other components were installed, the city could respond to issues more quickly, resulting in shorter outage times for customers. Previously, personnel would have to drive out to a substation when there was an issue with a feeder or transformer. Now, most issues are diagnosed remotely. “Now the monitoring is done from the
office,” he adds. “Te engineering team remotely logs into the substation devices to view the data, settings, sequence of events, and make changes if needed. Tey usually do not have to visit the substations in person, so the labour involved in monthly checks is significantly reduced,” says Wright. “With SCADA, they can monitor and
capture events, such as low voltage or high voltage at the bus, which helps when troubleshooting customer complaints, and enables remote manual control of voltage regulators,” adds Wright. SCADA also allows the city to monitor the power factor on individual circuits and then to switch capacitors in or out, without having to depend on other companies.
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