SGRwin PRIME BPL and interoperability
Image credit: PRIME Alliance
The SGRwin network management system (NMS) offers monitoring capability, providing an agnostic solution to track, manage and optimise the functionality of broadband over powerline (BPL) networks.
Traditionally, data transmission and communication services for electricity companies were left to traditional, separate IT infrastructure and relied on the internet for larger-scale connectivity. However, the paradigm has shifted significantly over the years.
Today, data can be transmitted over non-traditional channels like electric power lines, leveraging the already existent electricity infrastructure to deliver data and communication services.
With the advent of smart energy solutions such as broadband over powerline, data can now be transmitted over the existing electrical power grid. This innovation represents a step forward in optimising grid management, enhancing smart meter capabilities and enabling more efficient control and monitoring within smart grid systems.
Every technology requires standardisation, and BPL is no exception. PRIME Alliance (Powerline Intelligent Metering Evolution) has clearly identified the need for bigger bandwidth and the potential role broadband powerline can play.
For this reason, the BPL Taskforce was generated. This group is actively working to define an interoperable (basic for PRIME) solution based on the ITU’s G.hn standard to allow for cost-effective and reliable high speed communication across smart grids. As efforts to decarbonise the globe increase, so does the complexity of managing electrical grids.
First PRIME BPL’s standardised solution is for the smart meter gateway which provides much needed intelligence at the edge. Besides interoperability, it provides security and scalability, offering distribution companies the ability to manage millions of interconnected OT, IT and IoT devices including renewable energy sources, electrical systems and so on.
While standardising BPLs is important, it’s equally essential to keep in mind that these smart technologies will require continuous monitoring. The SGRwin NMS delivers real-time visibility, proactive monitoring and seamless integration across grid infrastructures.
SGRwin’s cluster based device mapping allows users to visualise BPL devices and their connections using each device’s MAC address from the MIB.
The device viewer provides full visibility into network elements, including device statistics and device properties for improved monitoring. With advanced statistics, SGRwin offers accurate real-time data, on signal quality, speed and network performance.
The effective monitoring feature allows customised monitoring frequencies, with real-time or maintenance modes to prevent network overload. To ensure optimum security, SGRwin integrates with main systems that use authentication and access control for internal and external users alike.
These powerful features make SGRwin a vital tool for improving critical networks visibility and management.
It’s understood that head-end systems should manage smart meters. Integrating these systems with each company’s MDMs can generate a status based on the success of the acquisition of readings, load profiles and execution of work orders.
To the extent that the systems show the linkage of smart meters to the BPLs (end points, masters), SGRwin can use the communication status and functionality of BPLs to deliver a combined status of both measurement and communication functionalities.
From an operational and maintenance point of view, this approach would allow us to identify whether the issue lies with the head-end system, the secondary substation communications, the communications concentrator, the BPLs or the smart meter. This precise identification allows us to generate targeted work orders that are specific to the identified problem.
Above all, we believe that the functionalities of the NMS, head-end system, and MDM should remain distinct, with each performing its specific role. However, it is essential to develop integrations that enable seamless information exchange between them.
To learn more about how SGRwin NMS can optimise your smart grid management, visit www.sgrwin.com for a personalised demo or more information on its capabilities.
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About CIC
CIC is an engineering and IT projects development company. In 1990 it began working in Spain and today is present in more than 30 countries worldwide. Its workforce of over 350 professionals is their most important asset. SGRwin is its main software product to manage and monitor critical networks worldwide for different sectors (utilities, railways, oil and gas & telecoms).
