PGE upgrades smart grid timing and synchronisation technology

Portland General Electric (PGE) is deploying connectivity solution provider ADVA’s Oscilloquartz positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solution.

The new solution is being deployed as PGE upgrades to packet-based synchronisation on its grid to improve the accuracy and reliability with data timestamping and control at the edge.

ADVA’s Oscilloquartz PTP (precision time protocol) grandmaster clock technology also supports protection against global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerabilities and cyberattacks, while conforming to the February 2020 Executive Order 13905 on PNT.

The assured PNT (aPNT) platform with multi-band GNSS receivers and AI-powered threat detection is designed to maintain resilient timing, even in circumstances such as deliberate jamming and spoofing attacks. The solution also provides multi-source backup, including PTP network timing and in-device holdover oscillators for when GNSS signals are unavailable or disrupted.

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“Precise and resilient synchronisation is increasingly vital in the power industry. By harnessing new time-sensitive applications and building smarter energy infrastructure, we can offer even more to customers across our region,” says John Lozano, senior telecommunications engineer at PGE.

“ADVA’s technology supports our existing synchronisation services while also enabling packet time distribution all the way to the edge of our network.”

PGE’s new timing infrastructure will distribute stable and accurate frequency, phase and time-of-day information between its power infrastructure data points, including PMUs, IEDs and substation LAN IEC 61850 communications, supporting rapid decision-making and automated assurance.

The solution is built on the OSA 5410 and OSA 5420 Series of edgeSync+ grandmaster clocks. It features multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receivers and supports multiple PTP profiles, including substation power and core telecom backup sync, while also allowing conversion between them and supporting legacy interfaces.

The products are part of ADVA’s new aPNT platform, integrating threat detection, multi-source backup and ADVA’s intelligent Ensemble Sync Director as a new standard for PNT service assurance, control and visibility.