Discover how Altek is implementing ETAP SCADA for DMS resiliency in Stellenbosch Municipality

Objectives and methods

• Improve the visibility of the electrical network through real-time power monitoring
• Evaluate the existing network to identify areas for improvement
• Identify and implement digital and physical upgrades in a phased approach to avoid disruptions
• Plan accordingly for additional upgrades to add advanced distribution and outage management systems

The existing network was comprised of 9 substations and 40 secondary substations, with a combination of legacy and new substation equipment. The analysis by Altek recommended a phased approach. In Phase 1, a smaller group of 4 substations was selected for the case study focusing on increasing visibility of the network. Within this group, they were able to integrate both new and legacy infrastructure and existing OEM systems into the study while work was done to develop the corresponding electrical digital twin. This virtual representation of the electrical network was helpful to start to evaluate the efficiency of the existing system. During Phase 2, visibility of the electrical network was extended to all other primary and secondary substations, and additionally, control functionality and intelligent load shedding was implemented. The case study also included planning for the next phase, which will integrate geospatial analysis, an ADMS, OMS, and integrated operator training.

ETAP App – Mobile data collection and verification to support the electrical modelling of the existing system and for ongoing on site updates

ETAP Power Simulator - Comprehensive electrical network design and analysis, including:

• Unified Electrical Digital Twin – To build and analyze a virtual representation of the existing electrical network
• Load Flow Analysis  – To identify overload conditions on cables and transformers and identify areas to optimize the electrical network
• Short Circuit Analysis – To evaluate the ratings of the existing switchgear
• Protection and Relay Coordination – To check for mis-coordination in the event of a fault

ETAP eSCADA - Real-time model-driven electrical visualization and analysis and data acquisition and control hardware, including customizable HMI viewers and notification system with  alarm, event, trending and tabular views

• Comprehensive vendor-agnostic solution to support existing and new equipment
• Accurate electrical network analysis and 'what if' evaluations to identify areas for improvement
• Real-time operational visualization
• Easy to use power monitoring and control systems across multiple platforms - even for new electrical operators
• Flexible and modular network management system that can be continuously evaluated and improved while maintaining high efficiency and usability

The team’s first activity was to model the electrical network, which involved information gathering such as the careful analysis of existing facility plans, updating these plans as needed, and performing in-person substation walkthroughs to capture additional site information. With the electrical digital twin of the 4 substations completed in Phase 1, load flow, short circuit and relay protection and coordination analysis studies were able to be performed on the existing network. After this, it was possible to focus on the hardware assessment and new equipment upgrades to prepare for real-time visualization and control, using IEC Standard 61850 for IED and RTU connection of new equipment, and IEC 60870-5-104 for RTU to master station equipment. In some cases, where legacy equipment remained, to obtain communications data the IEC 104 protocol was used with modbus RTUs. Multiple manufacturer RTUs were programmed accordingly to bring them into the digitalized electrical network.

Once this was accomplished, it was possible to gain full visualization of the network in real-time to determine how to proceed by evaluation using ‘what if’ scenarios. They also prepared customized tools for operator and engineers to use to quickly identify issues with the network, including HMI viewer, web interface, and smart phone viewer. In the final stage an electrical SCADA system was deployed with multiple views for real-time operational monitoring and control.

Prevent downtime through greater operational visualizations

• Phased approach to implementation avoided disruptions to existing systems
• Much easier for the municipality to quickly identify and resolve problems
• Improved network reliability and safety
• Reduced downtime, outages and inadvertent tripping
• Easier onboarding of new operators
• System is ready for additional power system monitoring and simulation enhancements

We now have a very user friendly interface which allows beginners through advanced users to easily access the system and do what is required.
Alvin Naidoo, Managing Director, Altek Solutions