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RuggedCom and Siemens Energy Collaborate to Deliver Wireless Integrated Smart Grid Applications for Distribution Feeder Automat

^{Published on 2010-05-18 05:35:36 - Market Wire}
 

Solution combines RuggedCom's wide area wireless solution, RuggedMAX(TM), with SIPROTEC(R) compact relays from Siemens

CONCORD, ON, May 18 /CNW/ - RuggedCom Inc. ("RuggedCom") (TSX:RCM), and Siemens Energy, Inc. ("Siemens") have announced the availability of a wireless integrated distribution feeder automation (DFA) solution using RuggedCom's RuggedMAX(TM) broadband wireless solutions and Siemens SIPROTEC(R) Compact line/feeder protection. The combined Smart Grid DFA solution allows for optimized fault detection, isolation and restoration to minimize the extent of power outages by quickly isolating affected areas.

Siemens' distribution feeder automation solution, SDFA(TM), provides detection, isolation and restoration. "The Siemens SIPROTEC Compact 7SJ80 relays detect faults and quickly determine the faulted segment through the use of IEC 61850 generic object-oriented substation event (GOOSE) peer-to-peer communication over the RuggedMAX wireless network" said Andre Smit Marketing Manager, Protection & Substation Automation, Siemens Energy Inc. "The faulted segment is quickly isolated by the 7SJ80 relay(s) and where possible, segments at the end of a feeder have service restored through the tie-point switch. The 7SJ80 relays are "self-aware" and operate based on real-time information they have about the network, so no master is required. Once a fault has been repaired, the system can return to a normal state through a single command from the system operator or by the field crew.

"The key to the exceptional performance of the SDFA system is in its open architecture, flexibility and logic that controls fault detection, isolation and restoration," said Andre Smit, marketing manager, protection and substation automation, Siemens Energy, Inc. "This state-of-the-art system has the ability to heal a loop of switches and reclosers faster than any other solution on the market today. The communication link provides better supervisory control at the operation center, as well as fast and reliable collection of operational and non-operational data. Integration with RuggedCom's RuggedMAX wireless network is a key development since speed is of the utmost importance for real-time control and reporting," added Smit.

"The integrated system can achieve exceptional performance via the unique layer-two forwarding capability of the RuggedMAX network. This allows the 7SJ80 protection relays to use IEC 61850 GOOSE messages for quick fault isolation," explains Elik Jaeger, VP of Rugged Wireless for RuggedCom. "RuggedMAX is a standards-based solution that has been designed to meet the unique needs of the utility customer base, as such solutions implemented today using RuggedMAX will allow the utility to add additional features and functionality in the future.

Once a wide-area wireless infrastructure is in place for the distribution automation solution, the same wireless coverage footprint can be leveraged to deliver other applications such as mobile workforce to field crews, or security solutions like video surveillance, through the use of IP video cameras. Future generations of the integrated Distribution Automation solution will allow for advanced feeder automation applications such as Volt/VAR, distributed generation and distributed storage control, all integral functions of a Smart Grid."

RuggedMAX(TM) is a high-performance family of utility grade wireless devices fully compliant with the WiMAX 802.16e Wave 2 (MIMO) mobile broadband wireless standard and IEEE 1613 requirements for communications networking devices in electric power substations. RuggedMAX(TM) is designed to extend IP networks via wireless, securely over long distances to fixed and mobile users. The product family includes a variety of base stations and subscriber stations with differing output power, form factors and frequency options for use in licensed or license exempt bands. The RuggedMAX(TM) product family has gone through extensive end-to-end network interoperability testing to support multiple different ASN gateway platforms and third-party subscriber devices in order to give customers flexibility by leveraging the full WIMAX ecosystem. RuggedMAX(TM) with its compact form factor and flexible configuration is ideal for use in mission critical private networks.

The SIPROTEC Compact 7SJ80 relays can be used for line/feeder protection of high- and medium-voltage networks with grounded, low-resistance grounded, isolated or a compensated neutral point. The relays have all the required functions to be applied as a backup relay to a transformer differential relay.

The joint solution was demonstrated at the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution conference in New Orleans in April and has already garnered interest from large utility customers.

To learn more about RuggedCom, please visit [ www.RuggedCom.com ] and to learn more about Siemens Energy, please visit [ www.energy.siemens.com ].

RuggedCom is a leading provider of rugged communications networking solutions designed for mission-critical applications in harsh environments. RuggedCom's technology solutions include Ethernet switches, network routers, wireless devices, serial servers, media converters, software and professional services. RuggedCom's products are designed for use in harsh environments such as those found in electrical power substations and "Smart Grids", intelligent transportation systems, industrial process control and military applications. For further information, please visit [ www.RuggedCom.com ].

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR25.8 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR30 billion and posted a profit of EUR3.3 billion. On September 30, 2009, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 85,100. Further information is available at: [ www.siemens.com/energy ].