International Journal of Energy Science

IJES

Design of Substation AMR and Control System with Reconfigurable Embedded System
Jaswinder Singh1, Ravinder Singh1, S.K. Aggarwal2*, L.M. Saini3
NexGEN Consultancy Pvt Ltd Noida, U.P., India 2 M.M. Engineering College Mullana, India 3 National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Haryana, India jaswinder.singh79@gmail.com, ravinder.singh16@gmail.com, vasusanjeev@yahoo.co.in, lmsaini@rediffmail.com
1

Abstract-This paper presents the design and implementation of an Automatic Meter Reading and Control System (AMRCS) using reconfigurable embedded platform in conjunction with software developed in LabView graphical programming environment. AMRCS collects data from the remote substations using General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) communication interface to provide real time information, graphical representation of electrical network on Geographical Information System (GIS), and automatic reports generation. A Control System is developed to monitor and connect/disconnect circuit breaker remotely. A custom web page is built to provide access to both real-time and historical data. LabView is more often used in laboratory environment, however in this case has been used for integrating some functions of smart grid field. It is observed that AMRCS is easy to use, reliable, and free from human error and considerably reduces the design and development integration time. The system also provides other distribution automation features such as, controlling through web application, alerts over mobile phone and email. Substation automation in emerging economies like India is at a nascent stage. In this paper, possibility of sub-station automation has been examined using an inexpensive technique with considerable success. Keywords-AMRCS, Distribution Network, GPRS, GIS, LabView, Data Acquisition

of power supply in India. The problem is mainly associated with sub-transmission and distribution networks. Accurate, sufficient, and timely data is required to assist the day-to-day decision making activities. The electrical network is huge and complex and it is quite difficult to improve the situation using the traditional approach of data collection (Palanichamy et al, 1999). Advance solutions are required to improve the present condition of electrical distribution network. Following are the key issues in the traditional systems: Highly person dependent and time consuming Data is not available in real time Accessibility of metering device in rural substation Inaccuracy in data collection Collected data cannot help in analysis Outage notification Voluminous data makes it difficult to analyse manually Remote control and monitoring No flexibility in hardware Limited hardware capabilities and functionality

NOMENCLATURE AMRCS Automatic Meter Reading and Control System API Application Program Interface FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array GPRS General Packet Radio Services GSM Global System for Mobile Computing LabView Laboratory Instrument Virtual Work Bench NI National Instruments PAC Programmable Automation Controller RIO Reconfigurable Input and Output SIM Subscriber Identity Module VI Virtual Instrumentation I. INTRODUCTION

In the present scenario, electrical distribution utilities are facing problems due to high energy losses and poor reliability

There is significant advancement in technology and techniques to measure and acquire the process data and analyze the electrical quantities. Compact Reconfigurable Input and Output (RIO) Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) of National Instruments (NI) is Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based reconfigurable embedded system designed for applications that require high performance, reliability, and real time operation. NI LabView Real-Time Module introduces some new features for NI Compact RIO hardware that reduces design complexity. Virtual Instrumentation (VI) has revolutionized the programming concepts from hardware centered instrumentation to software centered system and from text based to graphical programming. LabView offers powerful features that make it easy to connect to a wide variety of embedded systems (http://www.ni.com). Communication network plays a vital role in distribution

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International Journal of Energy Science

automation, which relies on its quality, reliability, and availability (Khalifa and Naik, 2011). Utilities require high performance communication network and it insures the cost effective quality of service, high speed, and security for consistent operation. Recent developments in communication technologies have enabled communication network to make remote metering and controlling possible. Additionally, it allows monitoring the real time condition of distribution system (Tan et al., 2007). There are many communication links that can be used as communication media in Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system, i.e. wireless, power line carrier, and telephone line posing their respective advantages (Park et al, 2002; Zaballos et al, 2009). There is significant amount of research work, which has been done to use wireless for AMR and its (wireless) capabilities have been explored (Priya and Sonali, 2011; Wu C. et al, 2004; Ferrer and Oliver, 1997; Muhammad et al, 2005). Communication over General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) offers always on, faster, cheaper, secure, high quality, and easy to use packet based service (Wu et al., 2010; Li et al., 2010). TCP/IP based data is transmitted into packets via Global System for Mobile Computing (GSM) network and at

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user end; the packets are received and then assembled into original data (Tan et al., 2007). The GPRS communication has economical benefits as its charges are based on the amount of data, which is transported; not for the time the line is reserved. The network resources are only used if there is some data to be send; hence, network capacity is used more effectively. Nowadays the service provider offers Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) with unlimited download at cheaper rate, which makes cost-effective data transfer through GPRS network. In this paper, LabView based AMRCS design and implementation has been explored, which may help utilities to access accurate, sufficient and real time data from remote substation. II. AMRCS HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE

The system hardware has four main parts, which are Data Acquisition Device (DAD), GPRS Communication Module, and Control Unit located at remote substation and server at utility control center as shown in Figure 1.

Graphical Report Communication Network ADC Serve GPRS Analysis

Monitoring and Controlling

Web

Breaker Status and Controlling Control Circuit

Energy Feeder

ModBus RS485

Email

Data Acquisition Device

Alerts/Events SMS

Substation Data Acquisition and Control System

Fig. 1 AMRCS Architecture

Utility Control Center Web Publishing

The DAD acquires processes and transmits/receives the data via GPRS modem. The control unit links circuit breaker control circuitry with DAD digital input and output channels and the server located at utility control center for running the main application. Detailed specifications and function of each module are described as below: A. Data Acquisition Device (DAD) NIs compact RIO 9004PAC, 195 MHz processor, 512 MB non-volatile storage, 64 MB DRAM memory, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port with embedded web and file servers, remotepanel user interface along with NI 9401, 8Ch, 5 V/TTL highspeed bidirectional digital I/O module and 4 slot reconfigurable embedded chassis has been used for data acquisition, monitoring and controlling1. There is a provision to extend the number of digital I/O module by connecting an expansion chassis in daisy chain, which make it more scalable.

B. GPRS Communication Module The GPRS modem, works together with the LabView FPGA to create a highly customizable and flexible communication application with DAD. The modem supports Quad GSM band, cellular class 10 data communication, and TCP/IP stack. C. Control Unit Control unit is developed to provide signal amplification and isolation between DAD digital input/output and circuit breaker control circuitry as shown in Figure 2. Control unit is positioned at substation, and its interface depends upon configuration of the circuit breaker. Each control unit receives/send the control command the breaker status from/to DAD respectively.

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International Journal of Energy Science

Rectifier Circuit Optical Isolation Amplifier Circuit Relay

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command, but only the meter corresponding to the meter address responds. The VI is scalable to configure more meters without reprogramming the complete application. A program has been developed to read the digital input and output module. MRC VI reads following parameters: Electrical parameter Temper detection Maximum demand Power quality Circuit breaker status Control commands 2) GPRS Communication Interface (GCI): A data exchange plays a crucial role for system operation, which relies on reliable communication links between remote substation and utility control center. An IP stack enabled GPRS modem is used for communication interface. The data collected from DAD is transmitted via GPRS modem using TCP/IP communication protocol. VI is developed using AT (Attention) commands to establish the interface between DAD and modem. A program is developed to detect the events related to communication failure and log the data in nonvolatile memory of DAD to prevent the loss of data; it also retrieves the stored data once the communication is established. B. Utility Control Center Application The main modules of UCC application have been explained below: 1) Automated Data Collection System (ADCS): This module uses NI TCP/IP toolkit to receive bulk data from remote substation. It verifies, manages, and eventually logs the received data. It can automatically recognize when no data is acquired for specified period and attempt to retrieve the data from DAD. Then it inserts the data into the database (SQL Server) at the control center using NI Data Base connectivity toolkit. 2) Reports and Analysis: The module is design to create reports generation in Word/Excel/PDF format, appearance, and layout. Application is connected to the database to generate the following reports based on historical data as shown in Figure 3. Graphical reports such as, load current, voltage, power factor, and active and reactive power Maximum demand reports Consumption trends report Reliability reports

Transformer 230/12 V

Control Command

Breaker Control Circuit

Logic Signal DIO NI 9401 Breaker Status

Fig. 2 Control Circuit

Relay

B r e a k e r

D. Server Utility control center has the server enabled with public IP, which is used to collect and store the data acquired from remote substation. A modem is attached to server with intent to send the SMS. Sever has the following specification: 2.66 GHz Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2 GB RAM Hard disk of 80 GB Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition 512 MBPS, Network connection with public IP 17 LCD monitor HP laser jet printer CDROM III. AMRCS SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE

The system software is divided into two parts, which are Substation Data Acquisition and Control system (SDACS) and Utility Control Center (UCC) application. The substation application consists of two main VI parts, Meter Reading and Controlling (MRC) and GPRS Communication Interface (GCI). UCC application is subdivided into four main modules; which are, Automated Data Collection System (ADCS), Reports and Analysis, Web Publishing and Alerts and Notifications as shown in Figure 1. LabView 9.0 (Professional Developer Suit), FPGA 9.0, and RT 9.0, have been used to develop AMRCS software application for this work. A. Substation Data Acquisition and Control System The main parts of SDACS have been explained below: 1) Meter Reading and Controlling: This VI collects data from network of energy meters installed at incoming and outgoing feeders in substation. VI is deployed in DAD and processes the time stamped data from network of meters having RS-485 ports, connected in daisy chain, using Modbus communication protocols (http://www.modbus.org). Modbus allows communication among many meters connected in the same network. VI sends a command to each meter intended to communicate; the command contains the address of the energy meter and functions to read, all the meters in network receive the

3) Web Publishing: In electrical distribution network, it is important to share the previous and updated information among various departments in utility, which helps in improving the service. Web application is build up to provide the interface to the users coming through the internet. Simultaneously it provides an easy, effective, and low investment means of accessing data.

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International Journal of Energy Science

Data security is vital concern for utility, as the information may give false control command, can be initiated by intruder or may be accessed by an unauthorized user. Taking these issues in consideration, security at different levels has been provided to restrict such an event.

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and AT command are executed for sending and receiving the SMS. The message contains the alert, such as high loading, breaker status with unique ID, and location code of breaker. Utility authorized personnel with valid SIM number can also acquire more information by sending a request via SMS containing valid code. The SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used to write programs that automatically send the mail along with the required data. IV. IMPLEMENTATION

The system has been tested in a 33/11KV substation to evaluate the performance in real scenario as shown in Figure 5. The system has following specification:
Fig. 3 Sample Sub-Station Report

Compact RIO 9004PAC NI 9401, 8Ch, 5 V/TTL High-Speed Bidirectional Digital I/O Module NI cRIO-9111 four-slot, reconfigurable embedded chassis Four 12V (DC) relay with 4 NO/NC contact GPRS SIM with unlimited download GRRS Modem (Wave Com Engine)

The web application is developed on Microsoft platform and data is shared through xml or web services. A user can access the main application only after successful login based on authorization, authentication, and access based security. The rights are provided at various levels to access both real time and historical data. Simultaneously all successful and failed attempts are logged. In addition, an IP based access is granted, so that the application is available to only known user. Multiple clients can view the application in monitoring and controlling mode, according to the granted access as shown in Figure 4.

User Machine Controlling and Monitoring

INTERNET
User Machine-1 Monitoring Front Panel

Fig. 5 AMRCS installed at a 33/11 kV substation

Server Machine at Control Center Main Application

User Machine-2 Monitoring Front Panel

Fig. 4 Web Publishing (Multi-Clients)

4) Alerts and Notification: The module is developed to provide vital information to the authorized person when an important event occurs. For example, status of circuit breaker or any limit is violated, abnormal condition via SMS and e-mail at remote substation. GSM modems are interfaced with server through RS-232 port

The DAD, server, control circuit, modem, and printer are provided with uninterrupted power supply. The system performance remains consistent and highly available. It is very easy to configure and to put in practice. The minimum time interval of 2 second has been achieved between two readings. The execution of control command and acknowledgement get back at server side, which takes 6-8 seconds and there is no error found yet during many test operations. The operator is facilitated with viewing metering parameter and status of breaker on web application in real time. The collected data are used to generate reports and for analysis purpose. The web application is accessed through internet only after successful login and based on that, various rights are granted to viewer and these are real time and historical data, Viewing and/or Controlling. Multiple users can access the application;

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International Journal of Energy Science

but, the controlling right is given to the single user only at a time. Authorized person receives SMS for outage, restoration, and other events between 15 to 20 seconds. Month-wise AMRCS availability rate has been shown in Table 1. The average data receive rate from DAD to server is 98.75%. So the system can be used for practical deployment.
TABLE1. OVERALL AMRCS AVAILABILITY Time 1st Month 2 Month 3rd Month 4th Month 5 Month 6th Month Average
th nd

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The obtained result is proof of the concept for the consistence of the AMRCS. However, the result still needs further analysis for improvement. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to acknowledge the support of B. L. Khameshra, Ajmer Vidut Vitran Nigam Limited, Udaipur and Sanjay Bhardwaj, CEO, NexGEN Consultancy Pvt Ltd in implementing the testing system for a 33/11KV substation. REFERENCES
[1] Palanichamy, C., Babu, N.S., Chelvan, R.K., and Nadarajan, C., Restructuring the Indian power sector with energy conservation as the motive for economic and environmental benefits, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, December 1999, Vol. 14, No. 4 , pp. 1589 1596. Khalifa, T., and Naik, K. Nayak, A survey of communication protocols for automatic meter reading applications, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, Second Quarter 2011, Vol. 13, No. 2. Tan, H.G.R., Lee, C.H.R., and Mok, V.H., Automatic power meter reading system using GSM network, International Power Engineering Conference, 2007 (IPEC-2007). Park, B.S., Hyun, D.H., and Cho, S.K., Implementation of AMR system using power line communication, IEEE-PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exhibition 2002: Asia Pacific, vol. 1, pp. 18 21. Zaballos, A., Vallejo, A., Majoral, M., and Selga, J.M., Survey and performance comparison of AMR Over PLC Standards, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 24, No. 2, 2009, pp. 604 613. Priya, S. Kamble, and Sonali, T. Bodkhe, A new approach for design and implementation of AMR in Smart Meter, International Journal of Advanced Engineering Sciences and Technologies, 2011, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 57 61. Wu, Chih-Hung, Chang, Shun-Chien, and Huang, Yu-Wei, Design of a wireless ARM-based automatic meter reading and control system, Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 6-10 June 2004, vol. 1, pp. 957-962. Ferrer, Carles, and Oliver, Miquel, Overview and Capacity of the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 1997. Available at: http://www.edicionsupc.es/ftppublic/forum/FTL00500.pdf Muhammad, Z., Anayatullah, Z. Khan, and Saleem, A., Web-Based Distributed Control using GRPS Enabled Embedded Devices, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Engineering Sciences and Technology Conference 2005, SCONEST 2005, 27 August 2005. Wu, K., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., and Xu, Y., Design and implementation of web services based GPRS automatic meter reading system, Third International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering (ICACTE 2010), Vol. 4, pp. 360-363. Li, Y., Geng, L., and Zheng, D., On remote automatic meter reading system based on GPRS technology, 29th Chinese Control Conference 2010 (CCC 2010), pp. 5731-5733. National Instruments, http://www.ni.com Modbus IDA, http://www.modbus.org

Data receive rate (%) 98.6 98.2 99 98.7 99 99 98.75

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CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

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In this paper, new embedded technology is incorporated in the field of distribution automation to design wireless AMRCS. Following are the main advantages of the system: This system helps the utilities in improving the existing electrical network condition, provides accurate, sufficient and timely data for analysis, saving the utility expenses in meter reading, savings on seals, and stationeries. It also provides the extra capabilities like, load management, improve vigilance, and faster meter reading.

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SMS based mobile alerts help the crew management team to obtain quick information about the electric network, so that remedial action can be taken. It helps in reducing the service restoration time. This system reduces the integration issue, installation, and configuration time to great extent. Improves customer service by faster outage detection, and restoration. Detection of meter tampering and theft monitoring for proper operation. Improves distribution planning service.

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IJES Vol.1 No.2 2011 PP.62-66 www.ijesci.org C World Academic Publishing ~ 66 ~