An advanced network management system for regional electricity companies

This paper describes a modern integrated network management system used to remotely control HV substations and to supervise manual operations on MV distribution equipment. The system automatically processes topology and highlights de-energized feeders when devices change state after telemetry input or manually dressing. System alterations and switching schedules are prepared in advance and operations can be automatically checked against utility defined safety rules. Power analysis functions can analyze the HV subtransmission network or individual distribution feeders. One of the major benefits is that SCADA, world-map schematic diagrams, plant parameters and network connectivity are stored in one consistent system. Data is held at a variety of levels of detail to suit both high level analysis and detailed device operation. Communication between subsystems uses the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). This paper reports on the experience of migration of the business data and the day-to-day operations to such a system.