Page 71 - North American Clean Energy November December 2019 Issue

archiving, sequence of events recording, alarm annunciation, alarms, trending and communications diagnostics. Customized screens could easily be built for one-line diagrams, IED faceplates, and control screens. As for HMIs, web-based systems provide a direct-to-touchscreen connection out of the box without a PC as an intermediary. Information can also be accessed by smartphone, which will bring up a substation and graphically show the faceplate of each device, complete with push buttons as if the technicians was physically there. “The HMI is served up through webpages that are easily constructed with graphic software. It’s all integrated in one package, so building an HMI is so much simpler than it used to be,” says Fanning. If there is a physical manifestation of the reduction in complexity, Fanning points to the substation. He worked in many substations that had racks or cabinets of devices with hundreds of wires and blinking lights. “Today, substation layout is much cleaner. You can probably eliminate entire writing racks and cabinets – or at least make it much smaller – depending on how you are handling your I/Os to the IEDs,” says Fanning. Caroline Fricks Wood is the Director, Corporate Communications for NovaTech, a supplier of automation and engineering solutions for electric utilities and process manufacturing industries for over 30 years. NovaTech /// www.novatechweb.com In most modern substations, microprocessor-based relays involve a proprietary protocol, so the communications processors must be able to retrieve real-time fault event data and records by speaking to the relays in their native protocol. Another standard protocol used by SCADA Master Stations, RTUs, IEDs, and also for relays, is DNP (Distributed Network Protocol). The IEC 61850, an international standard defining communication protocols for IEDs, aims to promote interoperation of IEDs from different vendors. Older IEDs may still use Modbus or other legacy protocols. According to Fanning, using a hub for all the data collection, both in collecting and interpreting, or taking action, allows the system to send that off to the control center to change setting, trip a breaker, or switch a feeder. “There is a wealth of information that is being created inside newer IEDs, microprocessor-based relays, and meters that, until recently, has been left behind because it was too challenging to collect and distribute it,” adds Fanning. “Today, you can drill down into those IEDs from a remote location using a secure connection.” One of the biggest incentives in automating the substations was reducing the driving time to remote sites – traveling between utility headquarters, home, and substations often meant a 2 to 3-hour drive. The automated system gave Fanning access to the IEDs in a substation so he could get a clear picture of what was happening. This improved overall efficiency because he knew what had to be done before making the trip and, in some cases, could delegate the work to someone in the area. Today’s open-source web-based SCADA and HMI solutions eliminate the need for a substation PC and its inherent software and cybersecurity concerns, at a fraction of the cost. In this approach, engineers can build interactive screens accessible from standard web browsers. For example, a browser can be used to view data from connected IEDs and RTUs. The software comes with pre-configured pages for data Online portal to locate distributor stock ABB now offers the new ABB eFinder portal on the Installation Products website (formerly Thomas & Betts) to enable end users to search for and purchase products from participating distributor inventory. The ABB eFinder portal simplifies the process of locating inventory from ABB’s selection of products used for connection and transmission of electrical power. Customers may now search online for ABB Installation Products and can purchase them from the distributor who has the products in stock. Once the product is located, the customer may buy it from the distributor by connecting directly to the distributor’s e-commerce page and placing the products in an online shopping cart for the final purchase transaction. The product portfolio from ABB Electrification business (Installation Products) is available on the portal. ABB eFinder provides instant access to industry-recognized brands like Ty-Rap, Blackburn, and T&B Liquidtight Systems. All products are available through the ABB distribution channel. ABB /// www.abb.com Current affairs podcast series Building on the DNV GL Talks Energy podcast, DNV GL has launched a new spin-off current affairs podcast series, Face the Facts. On a weekly basis, global energy experts will be sharing their insights on important news stories about the energy transition, responding to live news and events each week, and sharing their thoughts and opinions on the facts at the heart of the issue. The short format is designed to inform and inspire, and each episode will bring the latest information on renewable energy technologies to a senior global audience.Content will include the climate emergency, wind and solar, electric grids, electric vehicles, the power system, energy storage, management, financing, innovation, and digitalization. DNV GL /// www.dnvgl.com/facethefacts The business of energy, transformed. November 10 – 12, 2020 Metro Toronto Convention Centre | Toronto, Ontario Be first. Electricity Transformation Canada is the premier event for Canada’s renewable energy sector and is the place to connect with stakeholders from wind energy, solar energy, energy storage, and other complementary technologies – all in one place, all working towards a transformative shift in how electricity is generated, managed, used, and distributed. Electricity Transformation Canada Join us in 2020 electricitytransformation.ca Organized by North American Clean Energy 71