Remote - Fall 2015 - (Page 22)

SCADA - Products & Services SEL Introduces Reliable and Secure Microgrid Control System Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) have released a line of microgrid control system solutions. The microgrid control system builds on the design and capabilities of SEL's PowerMax Power Management and Control System. At the heart of SEL's solution is a microgrid controller that is able to respond to external data, such as real-time pricing signals and fast-changing system dynamics. This capability enables the microgrid controller to optimize the system configuration based on the system user's priorities and real-time data. Priorities can be assigned to various user-defined scenarios, like economic dispatch, carbon footprint minimization, renewable integration and system resiliency. The fast, deterministic controller can operate in as little as half a cycle, allowing it to reliably balance load with available generation. "Microgrids have low inertia, which means they need relay-speed SEL microgrid controllers," said Bob Morris, SEL vice president of national operations. "SEL microgrid solutions combine dependable computing and communications to provide high-performance microgrid control, including adaptive relaying, synchrophasors, and cybersecurity." SEL's microgrid control system solutions use SEL's layered cyber security hierarchy. This hardened security approach ensures that all data remains secure, allowing the system to operate continuously without threat of interruptions. Each microgrid system is unique and depends on variables such as the type of distributed energy resources, system owner operation priorities, project drivers and utility interconnection requirements. The SEL microgrid controller is both flexible and customizable to ensure interoperability with all system components and drivers. SEL is also capable of providing frontend engineering and design for microgrid preproject planning purposes. Quest Controls Introduces the RSC 1000 to Intelligently Monitor and Control HVAC Systems in Remote Shelters Quest Controls, Inc. has introduced the RSC 1000 to provide HVAC control and alarm monitoring for remote shelters and small buildings with two HVAC systems. It is designed to manage the entire remote facility. The RSC 1000 enables end users to shrink energy consumption, improve quality, reduce maintenance costs, and boost productivity through intelligent remote management of the facility. The RSC 1000 deploys sophisticated control algorithms to reduce energy consumption by directly controlling HVAC economizers for free cooling. The RSC 1000 graphical, color touch screen interface provides simple yet sophisticated onsite management of the sites HVAC systems, allowing total control of the individual AC units. It also improves the way users interact with the RSC 1000 making the controller more intuitive and easier to use. Configuring the RSC 1000 with new installations, troubleshooting problems and scheduling maintenance are all easily managed through the touch screen. In addition, the end-user can manage peripheral systems such as power meters and generators connected via Modbus protocol. Viewing the interactive touch screen enables the end-user to confirm operation of the controlled and monitored equipment, thereby ensuring proper operation and configuration as well as displaying current and historical alarms. The RSC 1000 uses Ethernet for remote communciations and has a builtin Web Server using the same graphical representation of data as the front 22 www.RemoteMagazine.com panel. The RSC 1000 uses SNMP for remote interrogation and integration into NMS software such as Quest's OspreyFMS. The system will generate alarm conditions using SNMP Traps/Informs and Email to notify personnel of problems at the site. In addition the RSC 1000 offers alarm relay outputs to interface to the network system equipment or other alarm panels, which include high and low temperature, smoke/fire, HVAC unit power failure, compressor lockout, generator running, and controller failure. The RSC 1000 controls up to two air conditioning units for cooling, heating, vent and economizer. It supports single stage, two stage cooling and heat pumps. In addition, it provides analog outputs for variable speed control of supply fans and for controlling the economizer dampers. Intelligent lead/lag control of the two air conditioning units provides for precise temperature control and adjusts for programmable changeover operation time as well as automatic changeover if there is an HVAC failure. Additional standard features include exhaust fan control to purge the facility when gas is present or there is a high temperature condition. It also provides automatic HVAC shutdown when smoke or fire is detected. Control and alarm setpoints are programmable and offer built-in limits to prevent personnel from adjusting the settings out of range. The RSC 1000 also offers redundant power feeds from both 24 VAC from the HVAC systems and DC power from the sites power plant. It also provides data logging to monitor performance of HVAC systems including compressor runtime and cycles, indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, supply and mixed air temperatures, energy consumption and much more. Software Development Kit Integrates Custom Applications with SNAP PAC Control Systems Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has rleased its .NET Controller Software Development Kit (SDK) for writing custom Microsoft Windows software applications that communicate directly with Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers. This SDK is well suited for machine builders, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and others who integrate custom applications with Opto 22 control systems. The .NET Controller SDK for SNAP PAC supports modern .NET frameworks and Visual Studio environments, which reduces the time and cost of software development and testing. Developers use the .NET Controller SDK for SNAP PAC to build software applications that directly access the control program, or "strategy," running on a SNAP PAC controller. Applications can read from and write to integer, float, and string variables and tables, as well as analog and discrete input and output points. Steve Grudzinski, electronic systems engineer at optical components manufacturer Optiforms, uses the .NET Controller SDK in a precise plating process that must be tailored for each part. A Visual Basic software application accomplishes this by exchanging data between an inventory system, a SQL database, and a SNAP PAC control system. In the process, individually barcoded parts are first identified using laser scanners. For each part, plating requirements and corresponding equipment settings are pulled from the SQL database. Equipment settings are then sent to the SNAP PAC control system which adjusts the plating equipment as required. The .NET Controller SDK for SNAP PAC joins another Opto 22 resource for developers, the .NET OptoMMP SDK for SNAP I/O, which lets developers quickly create custom applications for use with Opto 22 I/O products such as SNAP Ethernet I/O. Applications built with the .NET OptoMMP SDK provide direct I/O communications with SNAP I/O "brains" (I/O processors) that support the OptoMMP protocol, while the .NET Controller SDK can directly access a strategy or control program running on a SNAP PAC controller. The .NET Controller SDK for SNAP PAC is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit & 64-bit), Windows 8.1 Professional (32- http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Fall 2015

Editor's Choice
Industrial Internet Solutions Improve Operational Efficiency for Fleet Operators
Driving Down Your Costs with Wireless Automation
Create a Better Remote HMI Mobile User Experience
Site Knowledge + Predictive Analytics = Maximum Availability and Business Continuity
How Can Remote Applications Grow with the Internet of Things?
IoT Can Change How Remote Sites and Assets Are Managed, But Only if Devices are Secure
Remote Monitoring and Predictive Diagnostics of Remote Power Systems
CCVT for Reliable Remote Applications
SCADA
Networking
Security
Onsite Power
Enclosures
Industry News

Remote - Fall 2015