Substation Automation
Over the past decade the electrical power industry has undergone many changes. Vertically integrated utilities have been transformed into smaller companies. Transmission and Generation systems are increasingly relying on advanced digital and computational elements for protection and control of their substation and transmission assets.
Substation automation is a major part of advanced power system management. Better control and faster performance are achieved by performing local tasks in the substation like data acquisition from the power grid via the switchgear, and the activation of changes by commands to switchgear like circuit breakers, isolators, and transformers. This automation approach provides better protection of valuable substation equipment.
Our substation automation systems accommodate any existing intelligent electronic devices (IED) and fully integrate new technologies and equipment for control, protection, disturbance recording, and condition monitoring. Our substation automation systems are fully capable of being integrated with a central system that allows utility personnel to monitor, analyze performance, or control switchgear throughout their grid.
Please browse through our featured energy projects to learn more about our experience building substation automation systems.
Electrical Distribution & Substation Automation System
Owner: Massachusetts Highway Department & Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
Location: Boston, MA
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System Description: Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel, owned by the Massachusetts Highway Department, is the largest and most complex highway project ever undertaken in an American city. The project will transform downtown Boston as the aging and overly congested elevated expressway is replaced with a new underground interstate system and a third harbor tunnel. Opened in 1995, the new Ted Williams tunnel extends the Massachusetts Turnpike under Boston Harbor to provide improved access to Logan International Airport.
Transdyn is providing the electrical distribution system for over 150 lane-miles of highway and 20 major operations, emergency response, ventilation, and electrical distribution facilities. The system is managed by Transdyn’s DYNAC® Advanced Traffic and Facilities Management software that runs on redundant servers and distributed operator workstations. Vehicle detection, video surveillance, ventilation, electronic sign, motorist advisory, communication, fire detection, security, lighting, electrical, and environmental systems are combined into an integrated control system that can be managed from a single operator workstation.
Owner: Classified
Location: Classified
System Description: The SCADA system for a large U.S. Military complex is designed to
monitor and control critical electrical power distribution substations. The primary objectives are to reduce operations and maintenance
costs, improve power reliability and quality, and to monitor and control two power generation plants located on the campus. The
system is designed to optimize the shedding of non-critical loads in the event of any main power feed failure.
The scope of work includes providing detailed design, applications engineering, systems integration, testing, training and installation.
The system is managed by Transdyn’s DYNAC® control software and is configured for power monitoring and control applications.
The SCADA system consists of dual redundant servers communicating via a redundant fiber optic counter-rotating ring topology data highway to redundant RTUs located at substations throughout the facility. Workstations are located at the main control center and at various remote locations. A GPS-generated IRIG-B
timing signal is provided to synchronize the RTU clocks for sequence of event recording purposes. Intelligent power monitors are installed
and used for the metering of individual switchgear circuit breakers, which communicate information to the local RTUs and back to the
main control center for power quality analysis.
Owner: Department of the U.S. Navy
Location: Pearl Harbor, HI
System Description: The United States Navy’s shipyard at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is one of the most recognized names and facilities in the world. Located on the state capital island of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is one of the largest and most active navy bases in the Pacific. Ships of various sizes, function and electrical need are constantly moving in and out of the facilities, needing external power connection to remain operational during port stays and refitting. Electric loads are constantly changing, requiring up to the minute status and availability information to facilities operations personnel.
Transdyn, acting as a prime contractor, was awarded a contract to upgrade, modernize, and replace the Navy’s existing Power Distribution/Substation monitoring and control SCADA system. Transdyn’s DYNAC® System allows operations personnel to look into each of the major subsections, analyze, modify or control switchgear to numerous docks and facilities within its sphere of influence.