Publication:
Scada implementation of dynamic thermal circuit rating at georgia power

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Authors
Santiago-Cruz, Eduardo J.
Embargoed Until
Advisor
Palomera-García, Rogelio
College
College of Engineering
Department
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Degree Level
M.E.
Publisher
Date
2013
Abstract
This report describes a novel integration of Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Dynamic Thermal Circuit Rating (DTCR) to Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks. This integration was developed and implemented for Georgia Power’s 230KV Ashford substation and 115KV Jack McDonough substation. DTCR performs a variety of thermal rating calculations based on real-time or historical chronological files. These files contain electrical power flows, soil or weather conditions, and conductor temperature measurements. DTCR calculates real time conductor thermal capacity or ampacity and time to fail. DTCR ratings provide key information for maintenance and decision making that results in extended capacity of the equipment, improved reliability, and cost saving. A drawback with the DTCR application is its limited ability to interface with SCADA communication systems, which are used to convey information to operators and control centers. When DTCR was developed the technologies used for SCADA were not standardized and it was difficult to develop applications that could support multiple methods of communication. As a result, DTCR was designed to interface with a database which was not a viable communication option for Georgia Power. The current project developed and implemented a solution to this problem. All Georgia Power systems that were to be impacted by the implementation of DTCR were identified. With this information, a systematical assessment was applied to determine the best method of transferring data between DTCR and the SCADA network. The result was the development and implementation of a software which integrates the DTCR computer to the SCADA network. By using industry standard communication protocols the software developed in this work, called MSS, can seamlessly integrate to any SCADA substation network without the need to interface with databases. DTCR can now be installed locally in the substation, treated as any other Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) in the network and directly transfer the data to operators at a control center. It also eliminates the need to transfer large data files through the SCADA network that may be needed for calculations. The MSS software reduced cost by eliminating overhead required for the implementation. Finally, other utilities that have similar communication restrains as Georgia Power may be able to implement MSS since it was developed to meet the requirements of traditional SCADA schemes.

El siguiente trabajo describe la integración de la aplicación DTCR desarrollada por EPRI al sistema de comunicación SCADA de Georgia Power Company. Esta aplicación fue implementada en los conductores subterráneos de la subestación 230kV Ashford y 115kV McDonough-Atkinson. DTCR realiza una serie de cálculos en tiempo real, basados en datos actuales, que determinan las limitaciones verdaderas de un conductor subterráneo para conducir corriente. Entre otras aplicaciones, el operador utiliza esta información para determinar si el conductor puede tolerar más carga de la que el manufacturero permite sin que se dañe y así utilizar el equipo más eficientemente. El manufacturero utiliza normalmente el peor caso para determinar las limitaciones del conductor. Sin embargo, estas limitaciones raramente están presentes y por lo tanto hay posibilidades de utilizar la información como se ha descrito. Para que se puedan tomar decisiones los resultados de DTCR se le tienen que presentar al operador en un centro de control. En el desarrollo de DTCR EPRI intentó incorporar comunicaciones de SCADA, pero después de innumerables dificultades se decidió mejor capturar y enviar la data requerida utilizando bases de datos. Aunque este método funciona, es ineficiente y de difícil implementación. Después de desarrollar un método sistemático para evaluar la posibilidad de incorporar DTCR a la comunicación de SCADA en Georgia Power se determino que habría grandes dificultades. En consecuencia, este proyecto se desarrolló, logrando realizar un programa que le permite a DTCR incorporarse fácilmente a SCADA. El programa fue diseñado utilizando tecnologías y estándares que permiten una incorporación a SCADA mas fácil, disminuye el envolvimiento de otros departamentos y asimila más el tipo de incorporación a SCADA que acostumbran ver los empleados que trabajan con dicha comunicación. Este programa puede ser utilizado por otras compañías que no deseen implementar el método basado en bases de datos.
Keywords
Cite
Santiago-Cruz, E. J. (2013). Scada implementation of dynamic thermal circuit rating at georgia power [Project Report]. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/2278