Integrating Smart Devices into Existing Power Systems

In our decades long history of on-site power generation, generator power has undergone all types of small and significant changes. Diesel generators become more efficient and clean every year, with the adoption of natural gas, advances in smart building technology, rapid development of remote monitoring of generators, and the rise of microgrids. This article delves into the fundamental knowledge of current electrical infrastructure in the power grid, showcasing the development of public utilities and software adoption, describing how smart building technology plays a role, touching on the trend of remote monitoring, and discussing how we may see artificial intelligence in the coming years.

Electrical infrastructure

The first step in integrating smart hardware and software into your building complex or architecture is to understand how basic electrical infrastructure is built. Power infrastructure can be considered as all the equipment that provides electricity to your business. Here is a simplified example of electrical infrastructure:

The power station generates electricity and transmits it through transformers

The transformer increases the voltage and transmits it to the substation through high-voltage lines

The substation uses transformers to provide the required voltage to the local power grid

Voltage is allocated to commercial and residential areas

According to relevant data statistics, some power grids have a history of several decades. In the past few decades or so, technological advancements have allowed for digital monitoring of electrical components.

Intelligent technology

The electrical company is replacing faulty equipment with smart devices. Microprocessors allow for metering, monitoring, and control, as well as capturing information on the power grid. The number of smart devices determines the degree of system automation. Advanced technologies such as Wi Fi and Bluetooth communication support remote monitoring.

This can be controlled through cloud based software solutions (SaaS). Encryption software allows connection to the cloud to access device control and monitoring programs. Hospitals, data centers, and correctional institutions are some enterprises that require critical power. These backup power systems include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Buildings without critical power needs can also benefit from adopting smart devices.

Intelligent Building Technology

The power company is installing smart devices while upgrading and replacing grid components. The production industry has been using intelligent technology for production equipment for a long time. The control and monitoring of the entire building is accomplished by an advanced system.

The power distribution center of the intelligent system includes components responsible for circuit protection and power distribution to various devices. Many large buildings receive multiple power inputs. This can be provided by public utility companies or their dedicated substations. Each input is routed to the main circuit breaker. The main circuit breaker transfers current to a separate circuit breaker. A separate circuit breaker provides protection for the system and equipment. Intelligent circuit breakers allow monitoring of single and multiple circuits.

Most industrial buildings have an auxiliary or support system. Compressed air, heat treatment machines, cooling water, grinding coolant, and polishing additives are all examples of these systems. They provide key products for production machines. Electricity is transmitted to the control panel through circuit breakers. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a commonly used method for operating and monitoring systems.

Similarly, each system is specifically designed, but the universal auxiliary system controller includes the following components:

Power Supply - Receive input power from the machine and convert it into direct current (DC) for use by the central processing unit (CPU).

The CPU brain of the control panel. Receive input, calculate and allocate output. The CPU is controlled by ladder logic software. Trapezoidal logic is an industrial programming standard that can be designed for specific systems.

Input/Output (I/O) Unit - allows the CPU to communicate with system components. The input part transmits signals from devices such as proximity, temperature, and light sensors to the CPU. The calculation is performed by the CPU and allocated to the output part of the I/O. Control signals are sent to devices such as relays, actuators, and indicators.

Relay - receives DC signals from I/O output units. Relay contacts can be open or closed, depending on the design. The contacts receive voltage from a dedicated bus within the controller and distribute or interrupt the device's current.

The power distribution system, auxiliary system, ventilation system, fire protection system, and safety system all have independent control systems. Before today's technological advancements, each system required specific operators/technicians to maintain. A ladder logic diagram is composed of thousands or tens of thousands of lines of programs, distributed across hundreds of pages of documents. Many times, engineers need to decipher complex software.

Nowadays, all systems interface with a control software, and building functions can be monitored from a workstation. Easy to understand operating software allows personnel without engineering degrees to maintain daily tasks. Technicians using equipment fault analysis software with independent control systems are more likely to conduct equipment fault analysis. When technicians can be guided to specific areas to start, a lot of time is saved.

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