Sisipac - Substation automation & Integration systems

Based on that requirement, SEPAC offered to the electric utilities the new engineering and maintenance headquarter server: SIMPAC-SISIPAC, able to archive and to process historical data from different substations, in order to offer to the headquarters specialists tools such as: 

• real time snap shot of the equipments,
• strategies for predictive maintenance:
• On-line monitoring
• Outage planning
• Fault analysis
• Cost calculation
• Operation effectiveness analysis

The system is based in two principal events:

• The local gateway installed in each one of the substations.

The enterprise wide integration system software loaded in the headquarter servers.

The server is based on a HP workstation computer that allocates all necessary software to monitor and control substation automation systems at regional or national level.

Using a SIMPAC CIC XAR2-4 front end communication processor, information is acquired from the IEDs and then transmitted locally and/or remotely to the engineering consoles.

Local access is done typically using a LAN Ethernet.

The CIC XAR2-4’s communication capabilities allow for remote reliable access through WAN, radio or other available means.

SUBSTATION GATEWAY

In the above architecture, the CIC-XAR2-4 becomes the heart of the system. It has the capability of managing up to 32 independent RS232 channels. Each channel can handle a different communication protocol, thus making it possible to access different brands of Protection Relays, multimeters or instrumentation devices.  Another option for the basic architecture is building different communication networks. Each Network has a different communication protocol. IEDs with the same protocol can be connected on the same network in daisy chain.The CIC-XAR2-4 is also capable of accepting legacy RTUs if necessary in order to acquire digital I/O information for monitoring functions. That way, the system offers an attractive solution for the expansion of all legacy RTU’s. Taking in account that new IED are now available with Ethernet  links, the CIC XRA2-4 has been developed to offer connectivity through LAN Ethernet IEEE 802.3.

Depending on the IED´s individual connectivity capabilities, equipment from the same OEM can be in a single RS-485 network or IED´s that have the same protocol can also be on the same network.

Depending on the user´s specifications and the time responses for SCADA applications, either array is possible. The system´s flexibility is an advantage for the user, for he can choose the most convenient way of connectign the devices.

The CIC is base on Motorola computer group´s embedded boards on a PC/104 Platform: pentium single board computer @ 350 MHz, 64 MB RAM. It has RS232/485 serial port for configuration, a parallel port to support a printer, keyboard jack & optional 3" floppy drive. A typical CIC-XAR2-4 Configuration is as follows:

• Power Supply
• Pentium processor board
• Watchdog board
• LAN board
• RS232 or RS485 boards
• IRIG-B connection jack

The CIC –XAR2-4 is configured and built to each system’s specific needs or user requirements, so optimal size is achieved, avoiding unnecessary “extra” hardware costs.

SERVER SOFTWARE

The system runs either under SCO-UNIX or Windows NT.

The programming structure of the software is divided into three blocks.

Each of these blocks represents the application and function level of each software module that comprises the entire engineering station.

The system’s philosophy comprises different programming modules that act independently and perform their links to the rest of the system through a relational data base and the different routines on the operative system.

These three blocks are: 

The first block of the system constitutes the basic programming modules, fundamental for the system’s operation.

• data base
• communication module
• diagram editor
• function and report management
• system monitoring

The second block comprises the manmachine interface configuration.

• diagram creation
• report creation
• panel creation
• screen personalization
• function personalization
• logger management
• trend and statistics management

The  third  and  last  block of the

system,  is comprised by the applications that personalize and are specific to the system involved, they could be:

• operating parameters analysis
• overload cycles
• IED setting changes
• load flow
• voltage flow control
• fault information
• postmortem analysis
• IED oscillography
• downtime management
• maintenance modules
• on line monitoring

APPLICATIONS MODULES

THROUGH PORT

The Through Port function allows the user to access the protection Relay as if connecting directly with a Lap-top.

The system emulates the hyperterminal function and runs the licenced proprietary OEM software for each relay.

This function can be invoked either locally or remotely.

Setting adjustments, event register, metering, oscillography and all other information is obtained using the through port.

If the system is running under SCO-UNIX, a Windows session will be loaded. Then the proprietary software for the relay wanted will run on Windows.

The above example is the demo oscillography display for the SEL relays. All information is presented using the software developed for this use by the OEMs.

EXPOPAC: FAULT ANALYSIS SYSTEM

The ExpoPac software presents all the information available from any IED in the same format. Particulary, oscillography is displayed in a unique format, regardless of the Relay or Meter brand. This option is completely customizable as to the information that needs to be acquired.

Downloads can be done by setting a trigger if a certain variable reaches “x” value and/or by programming it on a timely basis and/or by operator request.

Also information to download is configurable. The operator can select which variables he needs to see, choosing from a wide range of different graphic displays.

AUTOMATIC SEQUENCES

This is a powerful tool for simulation    and   analysis.  The PLC ISAGraph functions allow the user to write automation sequences.

If a specific failure occurs, an automatic sequence can be written to change the settings of the protection relays parameters according to the new substation scheme. This can be done automatically or it can trigger a system alarm for a human decision.

ENERGY BALANCE

This analysis tool helps the user have an overview of the balance of energy in each substation or on the network.

This graphic environment helps visualize losses in the substation and efficiency of the  transformation process under the different circumstances analyzed.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

The sequence of events has a 1 millisecond resolution.

Event display and acquisition is configurable by the user. Information can be acquired by exception, on a timely basis and/or by operator request. The information to be acquired is also configurable.

TREND GRAPHS

Another powerful monitoring and analysis tool. The graphs are also customizable, permitting the user to select the variables that are needed, the sample frequency and amount as well as the format to present them.

PREDICTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

SEPAC has developed software for monitoring transformers and breakers. These functions acquire information from the system’s data-base and instrumentation on field to provide information on equipment status. This is a tool used for predictive and preventive maintenance. It can print work orders and reports.

For transformers, besides the mandatory electric measurements, partial discharges, oil quality, bushings contamination and over-temperature cycles are monitored. Alarms and reports are configurable according to user’s needs.For breakers, I²T is calculated, as well as remaining duty life monitored for each pole. The system is then configured to alarm and report according to user’s specification or maintenance policies.The above example is a bushing sum of currents polar graphic. Graphs are also configurable to the user’s liking.

CONCLUSIONS
Enterprise wide data integration system gives new perspectives to run safely, economically and rationally the electric sector.

The data diffusion on headquarters networks, the availability of on line data extracted from substation  automation systems,
the broadcasting of specific reports on web pages will have the following benefits:

• Improvement in safety
• Improvement in quality
• Reduction in service interruption
• Lower operation costs
• Greater maintenance focus
• Better management of assets
• Increased longevity
• Lower maintenance cost

Enterprise wide integration systems are nowadays a reality.
Electric utilities have this powerful tool available right now. Decision making and management will be better and better.

The concurrence will force sooner or later electric utilities  to use this kind of systems in order to improve security and availability, and to reduce operation and maintenance costs. 

SEPAC is proud to collaborate to this world wide effort, announcing its new engineering & maintenance  headquarter server: