Remote MicroGrid control center case study: Large-scale integration challenges

Abstract

This paper is discussing a control center implementation from different aspects and critically focusing on the integration challenges by means of building a secure digital reporting and automation infrastructure. The control center is on top of an underlying infrastructure of devices that perform the wide range of data collection, sharing, and coordinated control actions within two categories of subsystems: power management and SCADA gateways which are the key elements of the downstream control. Primary drivers are the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of existing critical facilities power systems. In the big picture, power supply security for our GW MicroGrid scale and its reliability are correlated with high revenue/losses for critical oil and gas facilities. The centralized power control enables automated optimization of the entire electrical infrastructure between generation, transmission and distribution. Works encompasses everything from ergonomic design for the control center, substation automation, as well as related communications infrastructure and IT/OT concerns.