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NTSI Software and Systems Services

NTSI Special Technical Services

NTSI Specializes In :

•SCADA Systems

•Data Systems

•Data Concentrators

•Custom Software

•Controls Design

•Commissioning

•Computer Systems

•IT Services

•Documentation

•Technical Manuals

•PLC Programming

•GIS Systems

New Schweitzer Automation:

Below is the new Schweitzer Automation controller, NTSI is using this system as a RTU & Data Concentrator PLC.

Consisting of the 2241 Real time Automation controller (RTAC),Dual 2243 Power Coupler , Utilizing EtherCAT for additional nodes communications, and discrete I/O .

Analog Modules will be released April 2012 including 4-20ma / 0-10 volt.

Picture below shows NTSI lab testing with the RTAC and GE EPM 6000 modbus communications.

This lab testing allows fine tuning of the SCADA system software prior to commissioning at our customers sites . 

Schweitzer and GE EPM 6000 testing.

Engineering Communications Networks Considerations:

Engineering communications networks to communicate from several devices in a power plant and remote facilities. In some cases this requires several different communications protocols, conversion devices and media.

Strong attention must always be in the forefront to the latest industry specifications and design criteria.

With this being the case older instrumentation will not have the capability to be upgraded to the latest communications capabilities.

NTSI not only provides complete communications network engineering,NTSI can specify and install upgrades and or replacement devices for outdated incompatible instruments.

Device inaccessibility:

As an example the SBS battery charging unit below, is located in the basement of one of our customers sites.

The face plate data was not easily seen so that in abnormal conditions, the charging currents or alarms would be noticed .

NTSI installed communications cable, SBS communications adapter card and added programming to one of our RTU nodes to display the charging unit data on our SCADA screens.

The customer requested that we add the SBS data to the plant daily readings automatic report printouts .

(Select the link below to open one example of automatic daily report printout showing charging unit data.)

24 Hour daily Plant Reading Automatic Printout

The plant operators and supervisors can now identify problems with the SBS battery system more easily. This can now be done by viewing live SBS screen data and automatic report printouts.

Automation Solutions and Technical Services Authorities Since 2001

(Below are some of our current Projects)

Municipal Power Plant SCADA Systems

Example below : Complete SCADA System @ Delano Municipal Utility - Delano Minnesota. The system below is a multi computer SCADA system engineered ,specified and programmed by NTSI.

Including a windows 2008 Enterprise MSSQL based Master server -(lower left) Which provides for master data concentration for the entire power plant. The data is collected from facilities concentrated instrument locations over various networks. This Master server also provides several automatic data printouts of plant data collected. The various automatic reports were developed and customized based on the customer requests.

The secondary windows 2008 Standard server (lower middle) is located in the engineering office and acts as a plant systems interface for technical personnel , this computer provides a direct data connection to the main server for purposes of viewing live plant data, generation , historical trending and reporting.

This secondary server also controls multi channel video controller that displays 4 quadrants of data on a 60" HDTV monitor in the facilities managers office. (Photos to follow)The four quadrants of video consist of Power Plant SCADA, GIS, AMR and Facilities Managers desktop computer . Any of the 4 quadrants can be zoomed to full 60 inch view for analysis .

The (lower right) shows a Schweitzer 3351 located at the remote substation building this computer is configured to provide data to the master server , This computer is configured to extract information from two 8700 series XCEL energy meters at the Substation Transformers, some of the data polled are MW, Volts, Amperage, KVA. This Schweitzer also provides communications to other substation devices and makes this data available to the master scada.

Master Server 2008R2 Enterprise - Slave Server 2008R2 - Remote Data Concentrator

Example Below : Complete SCADA System @ Springfield Municipal Utility - Springfield Minnesota. The system below is a multi computer SCADA system provided by NTSI. The Master server (lower left) is located at the main power plant which provides several automatic data printouts of plant wide and remote location data collected.

The remote concentrator and control (lower right) is located at the remote substation building - Including Schweitzer 3354 Computer with direct communications to the Schweitzer 734 advanced metering system. The 734 was provided by Western Area Power (WAPA). Springfield is now able to accurately collect and historically record substation load data ,record and monitor overall generation , recloser data and other important substation information.

The remote substation communications also includes provisions for surveillance video of the substation yard , live video data can be viewed at the power plant main Scada System server . Also on the right in cabinet 1 is a printer (Not shown) this will enable the operator to print historical logging information directly related to any faults produced at the remote substation.

 

Windows Server 2008 Master & Windows XP Client Station.- Remote Substation Data Concentrator using Schweitzer 3354 Computer .

Municipal Power Plant Meter Upgrades and SCADA Communications Integration

NTSI Specializes in engineering and design of instrument communications networks so that important facilities and power plant data can be communicated to SCADA computer systems. The devices can range from high voltage feeder metering, transformer tap position, generator kw, substations load, generator fuel supplies, generation time or remote sub stations Schweitzer instrumentation interface.

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Power Plant Data Concentrator Nodes and Devices

Below are some examples of Power Plant Data Concentrators provided by NTSI. The primary purpose of these PLCs and RTUs is to monitor instruments throughout the facilities and remote sites. Negotiating individual device communication protocols, performing data manipulation and making data available for SCADA Systems or Subsystems.

                                                   (Select Images to Enlarge)

Delano Municipal Utility          Springfield Municipal Utility     Janesville Municipal Utility

Below XCEL Energy allowed NTSI to connect to their meters at Delano Municipal Utility. NTSI setup communications using Ethernet from the meters to a Schweitzer 3351 located in the substation building console enclosure.

NTSI configured the master SCADA computer in the main plant to historically log specific meter information to data base at various time increments. This data was then available on the SCADA master reports. In addition live meter data is displayed on the SCADA systems screens.

The logged meter information proved to be very helpful with utility interconnect usage billing and statements evaluation.

 

(More to Come)

Remote Substation Automation Device Interface using the Schweitzer 3354 Computer Platform , Delivering Substation Data to main Plant SCADA .

Windows XP Client for Reporting,ESRI ArcGIS Data Entry and Utility Mapping.

Windows

The Master SCADA computer , Windows Server 2008 R2 with MSSQL 2008 Standard Database Engine for Custom Reporting.

Municipal Utility SCADA Systems. Power Plant Performance and Evaluation using Special Communications and Software.
This Schweitzer 3351 Located in Remote Substation acts as a data concentrator computer for all cubicle instrumentation Interface.
Windows Server 2008R2 Standard , Located in Engineering Office , Specifically for Power Plant Data Reporting and Live Data.
The Master SCADA Computer ,Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with MSSQL 2008 Standard Database Engine for Custom Data Reporting.