Smart Grid Research Consortium Conference Austin, Texas Mark Ponder President ElectSolve Technology Solutions and Services, Inc. (877) November
Smart Grid Communications/Interoperability Issues
3Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 Mark Ponder: President ElectSolve Technology Solutions and Services, Inc. Company: I/T Professional Services Company with 10+ Year Proven Track Record Focused on Utility Systems Development, Integration & Support Market Focus: Electric Distribution Cooperatives and Electric G & T Cooperatives Municipal and Small Investor Owned Utilities (electric, water and gas) Deregulated Electric Market Participants across US & Canada About ElectSolve
4Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Solutions Meter/Operational Data Management Customer Energy Portal Line Loss Analysis & Reporting System Complex Power Billing Module Demand Response/Load Control Energy Settlement & Market Reporting Utility I/T Support and Systems Integration Technology Roadmaps & Project Mgmt ProductService
5Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid SmartGRID – The new buzzword
6Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid SmartGRID – The new buzzword We hear everyone talking about it
7Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid SmartGRID – The new buzzword We hear everyone talking about it Most of us agree that it makes sense
8Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid SmartGRID – The new buzzword We hear everyone talking about it….. Most of us agree that this makes a lot of sense…. And we’re all attending a lot of conferences like this one today to learn more about it and how this will help your utility and your customers…. But…….
9Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ?
10Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ?
11Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems….
12Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc
13Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc Utilities utilize intelligent RTUs and IEDs
14Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc Utilities utilize intelligent RTUs and IEDs Utilities have smarter switches that collect analog data, collect statistics, etc
15Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc Utilities utilize intelligent RTUs and IEDs Utilities have smarter switches that collect analog data, collect statistics, etc Utilities have fault recorders, relays, etc
16Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc Utilities utilize intelligent RTUs and IEDs Utilities have smarter switches that collect analog data, collect statistics, etc Utilities have fault recorders, relays, etc Utilities have AMR and AMI
17Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid But isn’t the grid already SMART ? Utilities have SCADA systems…. Utilities maintain network frequency, capacity, voltage, reliability, etc Utilities utilize intelligent RTUs and IEDs Utilities have smarter switches that collect analog data, collect statistics, etc Utilities have fault recorders, relays, etc Utilities have AMR and AMI Utilities have all kinds of SMART “stuff”
18Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what are we really talking about when we talk about a SmartGrid?
19Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid We’re really talking about making the grid “SMARTER” !
20Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Making the grid “SMARTER” ! How ?
21Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Making the grid “SMARTER” ! How ? By using the technology and data we already have in “SMARTER” ways…
22Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Making the grid “SMARTER” ! How ? By using the technology and data we already have in “SMARTER” ways… By making SMART decisions about new technologies to make it “SMARTER”
23Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what makes a grid SMARTER ?
24Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what makes a grid SMARTER ? Improved Communications To be smarter you have to know more about what’s going on and you need to know it faster. More information faster…..
25Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what makes a grid SMARTER ? Improved Communications To be smarter you have to know more about what’s going on and you need to know it faster. More information faster….. Improved Interoperability To be smarter, you have to use the information more effectively between your systems and your organization.
26Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications
27Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications Utilities need to be able to communicate and collect more information from more devices faster.
28Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications Utilities need to be able to communicate and collect more information from more devices faster. Utilities need to consider a hybrid communications approach leveraging multiple technologies to fully cover the data collection needs to have a SMARTER grid….. Power Line Carrier (ex. rural AMI) Mesh (ex. urban AMI) Line of Sight (ex. rural-urban AMI, Substation to Substation, etc) Wireless public networks 3G, 4G(ex. rural-urban AMI, IEDs, RTUs, substation to substation, etc) Public Switch Network, dialup, leased circuits (IED’s, RTU’s, Load Recorders, etc)
29Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications Utilities need to communicate more effectively with their meter devices Metrum, SmartSynch are examples of public wireless AMI technologies that can collect more data, faster than most other AMI technologies.
30Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications Utilities need to communicate more effectively with their meter devices Metrum, SmartSynch are examples of public wireless AMI technologies that can collect more data, faster than most other AMI technologies. Aclara, Yukon, Turtle are PLC based AMI technologies that are more cost effective in rural settings.
31Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Communications Utilities need to communicate more effectively with their meter devices Metrum, SmartSynch are examples of public wireless AMI technologies that can collect more data, faster than most other AMI technologies. Aclara, Yukon, Turtle are PLC based AMI technologies that are more cost effective in rural settings. Elster, Eka, Sensus, Tantalus and several others are Mesh based AMI technologies that are more cost effective in urban settings.
32Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Improving Systems Interoperability
33Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Improving Systems Interoperability Utilities need to use information more effectively
34Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Improving Systems Interoperability Utilities need to use information more effectively Utilities need improved data integration, data management and operational reporting.
35Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what are we talking about when we refer to “Interoperability” ?
36Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what are we talking about when we refer to “Interoperability” ? Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together (inter-operate).
37Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid So what are we talking about when we refer to “Interoperability” ? Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together (inter-operate). So we’re really talking about integration of the data and the organization so they can inter-operate more effectively to operate SMARTER, more efficiently and more effectively.
38Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Utilities need to address a number of challenges to achieve interoperability
39Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Utilities need to address a number of challenges to achieve interoperability Improved Integration of existing systems.
40Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Utilities need to address a number of challenges to achieve interoperability Improved Integration of existing systems. Address the need for Centralized Data Management
41Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Utilities need to address a number of challenges to achieve interoperability Improved Integration between existing systems. Address the need for Centralized Data Management for operational reporting and systems analysis. Recognize the need for Organizational improvements
42Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid.
43Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid. To create a “SMARTER” grid:
44Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid. To create a “SMARTER” grid Utilities should consider the value to both the utility and the customer. Is it really worth it ?
45Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid. To create a “SMARTER” grid Utilities should consider the value to both the utility and the customer. Is it really worth it ? Agree on the need to take action based on the overall value proposition,
46Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid. To create a “SMARTER” grid Utilities should consider the value to both the utility and the customer. Is it really worth it ? Agree on the need to take action, Plan effectively and
47Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Moving forward with a “SMARTER” grid. To create a “SMARTER” grid Utilities should consider the value to both the utility and the customer. Is it really worth it ? Agree on the need to take action, Plan effectively and Be deliberate about moving forward.
48Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions……..
49Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions…….. Don’t underestimate the value of formal project planning and project management
50Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions…….. Don’t underestimate the value of formal project planning and project management Invest in a Technology Plan and Technology Roadmap
51Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions…….. Don’t underestimate the value of formal project planning and project management Invest in a Technology Plan and Technology Roadmap Leverage external services to assist internal staff with projects
52Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions…….. Don’t underestimate the value of formal project planning and project management Invest in a Technology Plan and Technology Roadmap Leverage external services to assist internal staff with projects Get everyone involved, this is a utility wide effort
53Copyright © ElectSolve All Rights Reserved. v5.14 SmartGrid Suggestions…….. Don’t underestimate the value of formal project planning and project management Invest in a Technology Plan and Technology Roadmap Leverage external services to assist internal staff with projects Get everyone involved, this is a utility wide effort And last but not least, get your customers involved, this is all about them…
Smart Grid Communications/Interoperability Issues Conclusion……..