Smart Energy Software Solutions

Transcription

1 WHITE PAPER Smart Energy Software Solutions Intelligent embedded data management for utility companies with remote processing and smart meter maintenance applications Sasan Montaseri, President & Founder, ITTIA Ryan Phillips, System Architect, ITTIA Peter Knazko, Smart Energy Segment Marketing Manager, Renesas Electronics America Inc. January 2017 Gas, electric, and water metering systems are rapidly evolving into complex smart energy networks, driven by the need for more precise and timely information about energy usage and by new technologies that allow remote, two-way communication through the utility network, as far as the grid edge. Manufacturers building these communication networks need to select the right combination of data management software and the communication capabilities to accommodate it to turn their data-driven applications into embedded decision-making machines. To absorb the quantity of data increasingly available to utility companies, advanced data management tools and techniques are required that can provide: Connection flexibility Analysis from multiple perspectives Secure communication and data storage Smart monitoring and control of the utility distribution network have many systemic benefits for dealing with the ever-increasing amount and complexity of loads that need to be managed. In addition to the demands of existing residential, commercial, and industrial users, the types of loads being grid-connected are expanding and require new infrastructure to accommodate them. For example, EV (electric vehicle) power stations, along with solar and wind generation, are being integrated along the T&D (transmission and distribution) grid, requiring sophisticated energy management capabilities. White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 1

2 An important element of this holistic energy management challenge is the smart meter, deployed both at the load (user) and within the utility network. The advantages of smart metering are now well known and accepted and include the following: Assist utility customers to better understand and control their energy resource consumption Identify and help reduce leaks and power outages in the distribution utility network Meet regulatory requirements related to energy reliability (system and customer service interruption frequency and duration) Whether to provide utility customers with usage pattern reports or to reduce risk by predicting outages, data management is vital. Aging infrastructure can increase risks and delay grid expansion. Utility companies recognize that new tools and techniques can help to manage operations data and ensure customer satisfaction that translates to positive revenue impact. Importance of Data Management Manufacturers are building data-driven devices that collect and transform volumes of raw data into information that empowers utilities to streamline their business practices. These applications load, store, and distribute data from the device to the cloud. For example, smart energy networks employ a combination of embedded systems, mobile devices, and cloud services that work together to collect, process, and deliver information to where it is needed. Smart Meters Embedded modules installed on each meter track gas, electric, and water consumption. Mesh networking enables meters to relay information and settings to minimize the number of data collectors that must be installed and maintained. Information created by these devices must be kept safe until it is saved in the central system. Data Collectors Concentrator devices provide a gateway between smart meters and the central system for meter management. Each concentrator is responsible for thousands of smart meters, a list that must be maintained carefully as the mesh network changes over time. Cloud Data Management A large volume of data is generated by sensors, smart meters, gateways, and mobile workforce employees every hour. Big data management is a central solution to improve the smart grid ecosystem. The central system can store a large amount of current and historical data in a cloud data management system, which is used to track and analyze energy consumption history from local, national, and international perspectives. Meter Installation Tablets Meter installation and maintenance workers use mobile tablets to configure and monitor smart meters, giving them a health checkup and replacing them if necessary. These devices need to securely read and modify information that originates from smart meters. In-Home Display Units An in-home display unit provides residential customers with timely feedback. With enough historical data, the display unit can predict energy usage patterns and make suggestions to help evenly distribute load on the electric grid. Consumers save money by benefiting from time-of-day billing incentives, while utility companies avoid costly over-provisioning. White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 2

3 The Smart Energy Scenario Leading-edge smart metering device manufacturers collect continuous readings that offer customers a way to monitor and manage consumption. A deployed smart meter solution coordinates between four distinct systems: 1. The smart meter infrastructure distributed throughout a city or region 2. A central head-end system managed by the metering device vendor 3. A utility system managed by the utility company 4. Smart homes and businesses that monitor their own consumption activities Smart meter infrastructure deployed in residential and commercial areas Smart meters, connected by a mesh network, communicate with data collectors through simple router devices and each other. A service provider connects collectors to the central head-end system, which is responsible for managing the current state of all smart meters. The utility company can also install routers in service trucks, which can fill holes in the network on an ad-hoc basis without resorting to reading meters manually. Meters need to be replaced periodically for maintenance or to replace module batteries. When a meter is installed or replaced at a residence or business, a mobile workforce technician can use a tablet computer to set configuration parameters. White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 3

4 Head-end system deployed by manufacturers and integrators With millions of data points captured hourly from thousands of installed sensors, smart meters, and gateway devices, the key to data management excellence lies in the selection of the right technologies and reliable professional consultants. Manufacturers implementing a solution for the smart energy market can depend on database software and expertise so they can focus on building their business logic into the system. The central head-end system collects data produced by the smart meters through the site manager component. Data is stored in a data management component, which can be accessed by the operation desk or utility companies through a utility interface on the Internet. Data from the head-end system is consumed by a cloud database to analyze the data. With big data database technology, the utility company can identify trends, discover consumption patterns, and disperse information to the mobile workforce. Utilities deploy various systems to manage customers and assets White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 4

5 Achieving technological excellence is a critical goal for utilities to achieve and enable efficient process management. Different software solutions come together to help and optimize various tasks. One example is managing meter logistics and operational services during the entire life cycle of a meter s health. At the utility company, information accumulates in a Meter Data Management System. This information is available for customer billing and meter maintenance activities. Data from distributed sensors, smart inverters, appliances, and other devices is collected, organized, managed, and analyzed alongside smart meter data for billing and other purposes. To benefit from this collected information and gain insight, utility companies must be capable of high-volume data management that transforms data into actionable insight. Home automation systems provide technological patterns for efficiency and utility cost reduction. In smart homes, device appliances manage consumption and important concerns such as security. An in-home display unit shows individual customers their energy consumption trends. This combines information both from the utility company and other monitoring devices installed in the home. For customers who charge an electric vehicle at home, the in-home display unit can help identify the best time to begin charging the vehicle. ITTIA Cloud DB With new advancements in photovoltaic solar energy, consumers are now able to generate their own power, but only at certain times. Smart home automation enables This distributed power source introduces distributed intelligence key new data sources that benefit from an interface between individual homes and the smart grid. The data continuously collected from solar power plants and inverters is necessary to adjust settings based on historical trends. Reliable database management software with a proven track record in this industry is an essential component for solar power distribution. Similar technology can also be installed in commercial and industrial businesses, especially those deploying electric vehicle charging stations. White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 5

6 Components of a Smart Meter Solution Together, these four systems interact to create a smart grid that is ready to adapt as our energy needs change in the years to come. ITTIA Solutions ITTIA DB SQL is database management software that can be embedded in devices such as smart meters, data collectors, and related hardware. It includes rich functionality designed and built to support management of large volumes of data on devices. An embedded database enables these devices to collect data, analyze those records with local SQL queries, and send the most important data to the central system to be stored in the ITTIA Cloud DB. ITTIA MSA is a tool to facilitate maintenance and processing of metering device assets. When a smart meter is removed from service, it cannot and should not communicate with the central system in the usual way, and ITTIA MSA can be used to record important meter information for maintenance purposes. ITTIA technology enables utility companies to maximize ROI on energy consumption by: Drilling down to specific time intervals; Balancing power generation and consumption in real time; Recording both real-time and historical grid meta-data; Issuing an alarm when a problem is first detected. White Paper Smart Energy Software Solutions Page 6

7 Technical benefits of ITTIA DB SQL: On-disk, in-memory, hybrid technology High performance Replication Large capacity for edge devices High reliability Relational data model design Manufacturers building device applications for smart energy or utilities increasingly demand data management expertise when outsourcing know-how to achieve smart grid goals. The complexity and experience required to design, develop, and deploy modern embedded systems is provided by ITTIA, in partnership with such companies as Renesas Electronics, who has developed the high-performance RZ/G1E microprocessor. ITTIA Professional Services offer a remarkable track record in assisting utilities to build, deploy, and maintain embedded database applications. While manufacturers and utilities lead the way with domain-specific business logic expertise, ITTIA offers core competency for data management and building the right data management foundation for smart grid devices. Renesas Solutions Renesas Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live securely and safely. The number one global supplier of microcontrollers, and a leader in Analog & Power and SoC products, Renesas provides the expertise, quality, and comprehensive solutions for a broad range of applications. Conclusion In fact, utility companies face many data management challenges when extracting assessments for actionable intelligence. ITTIA provides two different solutions for the utilities market. ITTIA DB SQL is a data management platform software for building embedded applications on devices that need to collect, store, and provide reporting and analysis capabilities, even when there is no external connection available. ITTIA MSA enables utilities to manage meter health by delivering quality service and accurate billing to customers. MSA provides technological components to streamline the maintenance and testing of gas and/or electric meters, guided by business rules that each utility company defines themselves. These may include maintenance workflow management to locate meters quickly for billing disputes; tracking meter status, including readings, test results, and condition; employee productivity reports; and integration with RF modules, such as AMR and bar code scanner and printer support Renesas Electronics America Inc. (REA). All rights reserved. Information in this document is provided solely to enable system and software implementers to use ITTIA products. No express or implied copyright license is granted hereunder to design or implement any database management system software based on the information in this document. ITTIA reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any products described herein. ITTIA makes no warranty, representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does ITTIA assume any liability arising out of the application of or use of any product, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. Statistics and parameters provided in ITTIA white papers and data sheets can and do vary in different applications and actual performance may vary over time. All operating parameters must be validated for each customer application by customer s technical experts. ITTIA and the ITTIA logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ITTIA L.L.C. in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. References in this document to ITTIA products and services do not imply that ITTIA intends to make them available in every country.