Online Monitoring
For optimization of the electricity generation and the capacity utilization of the supply network, energy providers are highly interested in real-time data concerning their power plants and transformer stations. The converters inside these facilities transmit analog or digital data – often via GPRS - to a central office where applications provide the data for a LAN or WAN. Furthermore, selected information is updated every minute and is used for the control of analog and digital interfaces.
The Online Monitoring System is based on a Real-time system by National Instruments, which is combined with a server PC. This way, a strict separation of the real-time tasks, covered with a Compact FieldPoint System, and the inquires of the users received via network can be implemented.
The Compact FieldPoint System is synchronized via a DCF77 clock and sends data to the server that has been acquired every minute. The server formats the data and provides them via network in a visualized way. The software of the server PC uses Remote Panel for allowing access to these data via network.
Remote Panels allow the definition of several views with the following characteristics:
On the server it can be configured which graphs and characteristics each user may access. Users can choose from a list of characteristics which item they want to display on their Remote Panel. Dedicated users are allowed to send forecast data to the server which is presented graphically and side-by-side with the real-time data. This kind of view is an important feature for optimization.
The server PC stores data for 60 days. Therefore, it is possible to display the latest data using the ‘Current Mode’ but it is possible to view past data using the ‘History Mode’ as well.
In both modes it is possible to vary the period of visualization at fixed time intervals, ranging from one hour to two months. Within this interval it is possible to view mean values for minutes, quarters or hours.
For editing the data by means of other software packages, it is possible to export visualized data as an ACSII file.
The Online Monitoring System is based on a Real-time system by National Instruments, which is combined with a server PC. This way, a strict separation of the real-time tasks, covered with a Compact FieldPoint System, and the inquires of the users received via network can be implemented.
The Compact FieldPoint System is synchronized via a DCF77 clock and sends data to the server that has been acquired every minute. The server formats the data and provides them via network in a visualized way. The software of the server PC uses Remote Panel for allowing access to these data via network.
Remote Panels allow the definition of several views with the following characteristics:
- Cursorposition:Choose the visible part of the measurement and forecast data
- Modus:Choose the behaviour of the indicator when new data is received
- Visible interval:Data can be displayed for a period ranging from one hour to two months
- Resolution:Mean values can be displayed for every minute, quarter or hour
On the server it can be configured which graphs and characteristics each user may access. Users can choose from a list of characteristics which item they want to display on their Remote Panel. Dedicated users are allowed to send forecast data to the server which is presented graphically and side-by-side with the real-time data. This kind of view is an important feature for optimization.
The server PC stores data for 60 days. Therefore, it is possible to display the latest data using the ‘Current Mode’ but it is possible to view past data using the ‘History Mode’ as well.
In both modes it is possible to vary the period of visualization at fixed time intervals, ranging from one hour to two months. Within this interval it is possible to view mean values for minutes, quarters or hours.
For editing the data by means of other software packages, it is possible to export visualized data as an ACSII file.
Advantages
- Data packets contain time stamps and are treated independently of the time of their arrival. They include an identifier for their completeness and validity.
- Visualization is realized via network by means of standard protocols (LAN/WAN)
- Definable user groups with selectable access levels
- Selected data can be exported as an ASCII file, where timeframe and characteristics for export can be configured at runtime
- Indicators with analog or digital interfaces are supported
- Updating of the visualization is done automatically when new data arrives
- Data is stored for 60 days or even more.
- Support and configuration of forecast data
- Modification of the system’s configuration without restart
- Data from converters is stored with a time reference
- Outside temperature can be visualized within a separate graph
- Data security is awarded highest priority
Conclusion
The Online Monitoring System is an excellent platform for graphical presentation of measurement and forecast data originating from analog or digital signals or test files. It is not restricted to energy providers but can also be used by any industrial enterprise dealing with a large amount of real-time data.
Systems for the visualization of measurement data for the energy management have been in use for a long time. Because of its great functionality and its ability to offer real-time data the Online Monitoring System is very different from such conventional systems and sets new standards.