Contents Editor’s Note While brainstorming how to better serve our readership in 2011, the editorial staff at Remote Site and Equipment Management Magazine noted we had featured less application stories in 2010 than past years. To help ramp up our coverage of successful remote monitoring and control installations, we put the word out to vendors and end-users to alert us to any new installations, and help us feature them in the magazine. The culmination of that effort can be found in our April/May 2011 issue. On page six Opto 22 has contributed a case study on a unique use for remote monitoring and control equipment for landfill and leachate management. Additionally, on page 10 the folks at
Garrettcom and South Central Indiana REMC have chronicled their switch to a more smart grid ready meter system, and the remote networking that connected it all. For anyone that is dealing power related issues at their remote site, Kentrox has penned an article about the shifting power management landscape on page 20. It does a great job covering pitfalls site managers may encounter with their onsite power system. Lastly, by the time you read this we’ll have announced the Remote Monitoring & Control 2011 preliminary conference program. Visit www.RemoteExpo.com to view the technical session lineup. Nick Depperschmidt, Associate Editor
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Editor’s Choice 3 The Best of Remote | Digi Allows Utilities to Experience the Benefits of the Smart Grid Now 5 The Best of Remote | ioBridge Releases Professional Internet of Things Platform SCADA 6
Application Feature | Leachate Management System Provides Remote, Ethernet Based
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Feature | Ten Steps to Increasing Data Center Efficiency and Availability Through Infrastructure
Control System for Landfill Operators Monitoring, by Matthew Zieg, Product Marketing Manager, Emerson Network Power
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Feature | South Central Indiana REMC Steps into the Smart Grid with IP-Based Networking by Philip Mattison, V.P. Operations, South Central Indiana REMC
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New Products & Services | CygNet Software Bolsters Gas Application Suite with Energy Load Forecasting
Networking 14
Feature | Slashing the Cost of Remote Management, Monitoring and Control by Mahesh Patel, Director of Wireless Technology, Sixnet
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New Products & Services | Tropos Introduces a High Performance Mesh Router for Distribution Automation
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New Products & Services | Carlson Wireless Launches the LongHaul ST for Wireless Microwave Connectivity
Onsite Power 20
Feature | The Shifting Power Management Landscape by Ben Stump, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Kentrox
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New Products & Services | Nextreme Introduces Thermobility Wireless Power
Security 24
New Products & Services | Axis Increases Visibility with Infrared Illuminators for Popular Outdoor Fixed Dome Network Cameras
Departments 26 30 30 2
Industry News | ISA99 Launches Cyber Threat Gap Analysis Task Group Calendar of Events | Conferences, Industry Events and Symposiums Advertiser Index | Connect with Remote Magazine’s Advertisers
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Volume 11, Issue 2 Editor & Publisher, David Webster Director of Content, Shannon Given Associate Editors, Nick Depperschmidt Heather Krier Manager of Administration & Customer Service, Marsha Grillo Fulfillment Services & Circulation Marc Vang, Ross Webster Director of Sales, Jessi Albers Advertising, Sales & Marketing Laura Mayo, Jeremy Fleming, Jennifer Graham, Sue Hannebrink, Scott Webster Production Julie Hammond, Production Manager Julie Williams, Office Manager REMOTE SITE & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT magazine (ISSN #1535-0347) is a publication of Webcom Communications Corp. Subscription price for one year (six issues) is free for qualified subscribers, $44 in the US for non-qualified subscribers; $60 in all other countries. Single copies are $20 each. Back issues are available. Payment must be made in US funds in order to process the order. Direct all subscription inquiries, orders and address changes to Fulfillment Services. Photocopy Rights: Permission to photocopy for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients is granted by REMOTE SITE & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT for users through Copyright Clearance Center, provided that the base fee of $2.50 per copy of the article, plus $1.00 per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA (508) 750-8400. For government and/ or classroom use, the Copyright Clearance Center should be contacted. The rate for this is 3 cents per page. Please specify ISSN # 1535-0347. Reprints: For reprint requests contact Webcom Communications at 800-803-9488 x.111 or
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Editor’s Choice Digi Allows Utilities to Experience the Benefits of the Smart Grid Now Digi International has introduced Smart Grid Now bundles that make it easy and cost effective for utilities to conduct an energy management pilot program and offer a range of new energy efficiency services to their customers. The Smart Grid Now bundles include the technology and infrastructure necessary to conduct a Smart Grid pilot program in areas with advanced meter reading (AMR) or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) networks in place. “Utilities are faced with numerous regulatory and internal business issues when running a smart grid pilot program,” said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. “We have tens of thousands of residential energy gateways deployed in real-world smart grid applications. Our Smart Grid Now bundles make it easy for utilities to take the next step in smart grid deployment and engage consumers in realtime energy decisions.” Smart Grid Now bundles allow utilities to offer demand-side management services with or without smart meter deployments. Two configurations are available including the Smart Energy (SE) bundle for AMI networks and the AMR Plus bundle. Both bundles include 25 ConnectPort Smart Energy Gateways, iDigi cloud service and iPhone and Android applications. The AMR Plus bundle includes an additional 25 ERT/Ethernet bridges which make real-time AMR/ERT metering data available to an energy service provider via broadband. The ERT products enable online access to gas, water and electric metering data from Itron’s widely deployed ERT meters. Smart Grid Now allows customers to create an extended grid. The extended grid then becomes the starting point for a Home Area Network (HAN) that can be joined by smart energy thermostats, load controllers, appliances, in-home displays and other devices. Consumers can access energy usage information via Google PowerMeter as well as Digi’s iPhone and Android Energy Day Trader applications. Smart thermostats can be controlled remotely via the same iPhone and Android applications.
FreeWave Technologies Introduces First Licensed Spectrum Data Radio for International Markets FreeWave Technologies has introduced its new LRS data radios for industrial wireless data connectivity using licensed spectrum outside the US. FreeWave’s family of licensed radio offerings includes the narrow band licensed frequencies of 400 MHz, 455 MHz, 700 MHz and 1.4 GHz, and are well suited for SCADA applications in oil and gas, water/wastewater, smart grid, precision agriculture and similar industrial markets. The LRS radios are designed to meet the communication standards in international markets and support the respective licensed spectrum frequencies. Already European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) certified for use in more than 27 European countries, plus Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, the LRS series radios offer increased RF link budgets through higher RF receive sensitivity, rather than increased RF output power. The resulting lower power consumption of the LRS radios makes them more suitable for remote installations using solar power. As true serial data radios, the LRS series radios provide optimum use of
the available bandwidth in narrow-band UHF channels without the protocol overhead of native-IP radios. The LRS series, including the ETSI approved radios, operates in licensed UHF frequencies (406 to 430 MHz and 435 MHz to 470 MHz) for exclusive, non-shared use of the RF spectrum, decreasing the likelihood of congestion or interference. The radios are housed inside an industrial-grade, small and rugged enclosure that offers mounting and installation versatility, including a DIN rail mounting option, with all connectors conveniently located on one side of the enclosure. “Customers who deploy these radios in remote locations that depend on battery power and solar charging will appreciate the RF receive sensitivity and performance to support longer links even without high RF output power and associated high current draw,” said Matthias van Doorn, product manager, Ethernet and licensed radio systems, FreeWave. “Unlike native-IP radios, the LRS series does not get burdened with protocol overhead for its serial data communication, resulting in better throughput, faster polling cycles and an increased number of remote radios that can be polled from the same master site.”
Smart Grid’s HAN Market to Hit $750 Million by 2015 According to New Report GTM Research forecasts the HAN and Home Energy Management market to grow nearly 90 percent from $400 million in 2011 to over $750 million in 2015. The market’s scaling potential is buoyed by the need for utilities to provide compelling consumer energy services in parallel with their projected $16.7 billion smart meter rollout over the next five years. Smart Grid HAN Strategy Report 2011: Technologies, Market Forecast and Leading Players provides in-depth investigation of smart grid HAN and Home Energy Management. It examines the utility and consumer-case for targeted investment in the home, investigates technologies and standards, and includes industry forecasts and vendor profiles. “The HAN market is emerging as the value proposition of the consumer’s smart grid,” said Chet Geschickter, report author and senior analyst, GTM Research. “Utilities need to deploy digital and networking technology to engage customers at home. Utilities that install smart meters without addressing consumer-oriented features and benefits do so at their own peril.” Prominent utilities that have learned painful lessons about the limitations of smart meters include PG&E, whose 2007 smart meter deployment in Bakersfield, Calif. resulted in a ratepayer lawsuit against the utility, and Xcel Energy, which recently faced off with the city of Boulder, Colo. over the benefits of its SmartGridCity project.
EnerSys Wi-iQ Battery Monitoring System Collects Performance Data for Peak Battery Performance The new EnerSys Wi-iQ battery monitoring system helps collect a range of battery operating data, including amp hours (AH) charged and discharged, temperature voltage and electrolyte level. This data can be uploaded via wireless communication to a computer containing the Wi-iQ reporting suite analytical software, which provides quick-glance exception reporting as well as easy to use battery operation and condition reports. “The Wi-iQ battery monitoring system will provide early warning signs of battery abuse, allowing for corrective action to occur before the battery is damaged,” said Steve Spaar, director of marketing, EnerSys. “Additionally, ongoing charge and discharge data enables operators to ensure that the batteries are performing at optimal levels.” Among the Wi-iQ battery monitoring system’s features are universal DC cable sizing for all battery types with up to 4/0 cable sizes, a temperature warning that enables the monitoring of high-temperature risks and voltage imbalance notification, which indicates possible trouble with cells before battery failure occurs. The device captures and records up to 2,555 cycles of battery data and provides wireless data downloading to a personal computer within a range of 100 feet. Remote Site & Equipment Management April/May 2011
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Editor’s Choice Canary Smart Meter Solution Provides Data Collection And Storage for Electric and Gas Smart Meters Canary Labs has released the Canary Smart Meter solution. Designed to collect, display and store trend historian data from electric and gas smart meters, the Canary Smart Meter provides a customizable data management solution with long term data management capabilities. Data can be used to generate reports, as well as web pages that provide information to consumers. The Canary Smart Meter Solution stores smart meter data via Canary Enterprise Historian technology. A time series database is specifically designed to store and retrieve data. For instance, data from 650,000 smart meters that report usage every 15 minutes would utilize 11 GB of disk space each month, which is just 1/10th the amount of disk space required by traditional SQL databases. Logging and data performance provided by the Canary Smart Meter solution is typically 10 to 100 times faster than that of traditional databases. “The increasing use of smart meters in the electric and gas industries promises to provide a variety of cost, service and environmental benefits, but also challenges related to data collection and storage,” said Gary Stem, president, Canary Labs. “The Canary Smart Meter solutions helps to solve these issues by providing time-efficient and cost-effective data management. As a result of the improved data management efficiency provided by the Canary Smart Meter solution, customers can use lower cost servers and data storage equipment.” Key features of the Canary Smart Meter solution include redundancy to protect data and increase availability, security and audit logs to enhance
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records and customized reports and charts to better suit specific application requirements. The solution facilitates long-term data management, including data validation, archiving and roll-up, while also allowing Web access to reports and charts for increased convenience.
Sixnet Enhances SixView Manager to Provide a Remote Management Solution for Wireless Router Portfolio Sixnet has introduced the SixView manager, a flexible enterprise-class remote management software designed to increase productivity and reduce costs for organizations using Sixnet industrial-grade wireless routers. SixView Manager’s web-based console enables customers to remotely access, configure and manage critical device information for several or even thousands, of Sixnet routers. Its customizable dashboard highlights alerts, providing instant visibility to potential issues. The ability to proactively access data reduces the need to deploy staff to remote sites, thereby saving time and reducing costs. Status such as signal strength and IP addresses are displayed in real-time to help simplify troubleshooting. Enhanced security measures enable administrators to easily set user-based access control parameters, upgrade firmware, configure VPNs and update firewall settings, all from a remote location. “SixView manager provides flexible monitoring and control to benefit organizations with harsh remote environments, such as power substations, public utilities and other applications where wireless connectivity and remote management of hard-to-reach devices is required to protect critical business operations,” said Mahesh Patel, director of wireless solution, Sixnet. With device-based licenses that work with Sixnet’s range of M2M wireless solutions, including the IndustrialPro and EnterprisePro routers, SixView manager provides a comprehensive real-time view of deployed wireless devices from a single server-based console.
ABB and Elster to Introduce Joint Solutions for AMI and Distribution Automation Convergence ABB and Elster have announced the integration of Elster’s ALPHAbased medium voltage (MV) AGI node monitoring and communications platform with ABB’s new SCC-125 split-core combination voltage and current sensor. The integrated product will provide remote wireless feeder monitoring at the medium voltage level. This new product offering is another example of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) convergence solutions. Utilities will not only realize the ease of installation and meteringclass accuracy offered by ABB’s SCC-125, but will also realize the benefits from Elster’s EnergyAxis-enabled ALPHA metering platform with its integrated communication options. Data gathered from medium voltage sensing points can now be combined and time-synchronized with other system-level data allowing utilities to more efficiently monitor and operate their distribution network. “At ABB, we have a long history of developing and deploying medium voltage sensing technology to utility customers throughout the world. This gives us the unique ability to work with Elster to provide reliable and accurate solutions that meet the high demands of electric utilities,” said Jon Rennie, vice president and general manager of distribution components, ABB. This offering provides utilities with a cost-effective solution for plugand-play metering of overhead medium voltage feeders. It can either be integrated into existing SCADA infrastructure or into Elster’s EnergyAxis communications system.
Editor’s Choice Laird Technologies Releases New CL400 Wireless Ethernet Bridge Laird Technologies, Inc. has released its new CL400 wireless Ethernet bridge. Based on Laird’s WISM+ 802.11 embedded module, the CL400 provides data throughput and security in a point-to-point network. It is designed for the M2M and industrial market segments by delivering a wireless Ethernet bridge that extends the range of networks beyond the reach of traditional 802.11 access points. Available with an AC power adapter, standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack and antennas, the CL400 comes prepackaged with all necessary accessories. With no configuration necessary, users can plug in their Ethernet cable to apply power and have a wireless bridge at a distance up to one mile and speeds up to 11 Mbps. Optimized for point-to-point bridge connections the CL400 starter pack come pre-configured to communicate over a WPA2-CCMP encrypted secure 802.11 RF channel. The device will optimize link speeds according to the RF conditions and distances between the units. Encased in a field proven hardened metal enclosure and capable of operating over temperatures -20°C to 70°C, it can be stored at temperatures of -40°C to 85°C. The CL400 is also FCC/IC certified.
ioBridge Releases Professional Internet of Things Platform ioBridge, Inc. has released a platform for professional Internet of Things applications, such as interactive devices, power monitoring, smart appliances, industrial automation and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) processes. The integrated platform of embedded technology and cloud services connects devices and Web services together for remote monitoring and control. Features of the platform include real-time streaming, data logging, alerts, expressions, process control, automation, location-awareness, time-based control and Web feed integration. Customers are able to get started today with the ioBridge IO-204-PRO module, the gateway to ioBridge cloudservices for sensors and actuators.
With ioBridge, customers are able to leverage an endto-end application platform to create Web applications, mobile apps, and Web services. Customers are able to get Internet-connected products and services to market faster and at a lowercost by utilizing the ioBridge platform. These products are also able to connect to social networking sites, location-based services, and weather feeds such as Twitter, ThingSpeak, Google Latitude, Foursquare and WeatherBug. “When devices are connected, you can create some really interesting products and gain a competitive advantage,” said Dr. Robert Mawrey, CEO, ioBridge. “For example, you can take a thermostat and enable it to automatically control itself based on your phone’s location.” OEMs and professionals are able to license and customize ioBridge’s Internet of Things platform for their own products and services in the cloud or on private networks. The technology behind the Web gateway hardware is available for integration as a drop-in module or embedded software at a low-cost.
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SCADA - Feature Leachate Management System Provides Remote, Ethernet-Based Control System for Landfill Operators The average person living in a developed country produces between a half a ton and one and a quarter tons of waste per year. But where does all this waste wind up? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, of the estimated 251 million tons of consumer solid waste generated each year in the US, approximately 32.5 percent is recycled or composted, 12.5 percent is burned, and the remaining 55 percent is buried in landfills. In the United Kingdom, numbers are equally staggering. Currently, the vast majority of municipal waste in the UK (over 85 percent) is sent to landfills. Local governments across the United Kingdom provide land for the establishment of landfills and the disposal of household and other types of waste. But these sites don’t remain landfills forever. Typically, landfills operate for 15 years, after which the site must be returned in good condition. This requires the collection, treatment and discharge of leachate, which is created when moisture and rain water permeate the waste deposited in a landfill. As this water mixes within the solid waste, it picks up contaminates (organic and inorganic chemicals, metals, biological wastes) and becomes leachate. Containment and treatment of leachate before it reaches groundwater or public sewer systems is critical, not only for maintaining the environmental integrity of the landfill, but also for compliance with regulatory guidelines, such as the Deposit of Poisonous Wastes Act of 1975. Failure to adhere to these guidelines usually results in substantial financial penalties. As a result, automation and control professionals working on landfill projects must treat the leachate and ensure that none is discharged outside of the established discharge parameters. Major concerns include: • Collection of leachate run-off • Control of leachate levels in remote wells • Removal of methane and ammonia from the leachate • Regulation of leachate pH levels prior to discharge into sewer systems • Alarm reporting of any critical issues • Reporting and historical data collection of all treatment activities • Enabling of remote access to the landfill’s archived data
System Devices Based in Cheshire, England, System Devices UK Ltd. provides automation systems and support to customers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company’s expertise covers automation and monitoring systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and robotics. In recent years, the company has provided control systems to landfill operators that not only meet their immediate needs, but are so flexible, they allow for future expansion without having to change hardware or software later in the system’s life cycle. According to System Devices’ Darren Weissenborn, these leachate management systems use Opto 22 SNAP PAC programmable automation controllers and I/O as the key components that let landfill operator customers connect to, continuously control and acquire data from pumps, valves and other equipment at outstations, ponds, control centers, and all over their individual sites. Specifically, at one landfill located in Lancashire, System Devices has implemented a leachate management system that uses a rackmounted PAC as its central controller. This controller is Ethernet enabled, allowing it to exist on a network that supports both wired and wireless connectivity for powerful and comprehensive monitoring and management. The system also includes approximately 128 digital and 36 analog I/O points. Digital inputs 6
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include interfaces to conductivity sensors and float switches that detect the presence and level of water across the site. Digital output points actuate ten control valves, as well as dosing pumps that disperse chemicals that treat the leachate. Analog inputs enable tracking of pH levels, chemical tank levels and pressure readings, while the analog outputs change the operating parameters of devices like feed and sludge pumps.
Pumping & Treatment Landfill sites are typically quite large and are often lined along their perimeters with some type of durable, puncture resistant synthetic plastic (such as high-density polyethylene) to ensure that any rain water that runs off the waste is collected and not allowed to contaminate surrounding land or water. Weissenborn says that at the Lancashire landfill, runoff is channeled into deep wells dotted around the site and later pumped back to a large lagoon for storage and treatment. It’s essential that the levels within these remote wells are controlled so that no overflow occurs. To accomplish this, each well has its own control panel with I/O aggregating data such as flow rates and fill levels. “The panels interface to the individual pumps associated with each well,” said Weissenborn. “They each connect to float sensors that control when and how long pumps need to run based on a level set point. We monitor temperature, level, pump status and any fault status through a wireless Ethernet link communicating via Modbu/ TCP, an application-level industrial protocol supported by both the Acromag-brand I/O and the Opto 22 hardware .” Weissenborn says that although monitoring and data acquisition is performed through the distributed control panels, all control is exercised by the central SNAP PAC located at the site control cabin. The control programs for the SNAP PAC were designed by System Devices to optimize throughput, closely regulate levels in both the lagoon and the remote wells, and automate decisions like whether or not well contents can be pumped to the lagoon. For example, the SNAP PAC provides a voltage output to inverters (aka variable speed drives) to set pump speeds. Different voltages are used to slow down or speed up the pumps based on conditions in the lagoon and remote wells. When levels are within acceptable tolerances, the control system automatically slows down processing. This not only optimizes operations, but also extends the lifespan of the landfill’s expensive pumping equipment. A brick wall designed to contain leachate in the event of overflow or spillage was constructed on the landfill site. Most of the leachate processing takes place in this area. Weissenborn says the leachate is tested for acceptable levels of ammonia and pH. The control system regulates dosing pumps that add the appropriate neutralizing agents, and pH conditioners to increase or decline the pH and otherwise treat the water in order to prevent pipe corrosion and dissolution of lead into water supplies. Once the ammonia and pH levels of the leachate are in compliance with all regulatory guidelines, it can finally be discharged into the public sewer system.
HMI and Alarming According to Weissenborn, if conditions at the landfill ever deviate out of their prescribed operating ranges, it’s important that the control system contains the fault and reports it immediately. Therefore, System Devices’ leachate management system has been configured to alarm on low chemical levels, improper valve and pump states, pump failures and dangerous pH, methane and ammonia levels. The entire system and all alarms are
SCADA viewable via HMI screens running on the site’s SCADA PC in the site control cabin. Any alarm states detected by the system are reported on the computer screen so the issue can be acknowledged and rectified. For off-site notification, the Opto 22 SNAP PAC controller sends SMS alerts (i.e., text messages) to designated individuals’ cell phones whenever the site experiences crises like power losses or electrical contactor failures. There are also alarms for pump failures and low chemical levels.
Data Archiving All well conditions are monitored 24/7 via secure wired and wireless Ethernet connections that encompass the entire site. All gathered data is logged and stored on the SCADA PC’s hard drive for historical archiving and compliance reporting. To better enable this, System Devices designed a network architecture that takes full advantage of the SNAP PAC’s dual Ethernet interfaces.
Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Opto 22 products use standard, commercially available networking and computer technologies, and have an established reputation worldwide for ease-of-use, innovation, quality, and reliability. Opto 22 products are used by automation endusers, OEMs, and information technology and operations personnel. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, Calif. Opto 22 products are available through a worldwide network of distributors and system integrators. For more information, contact Opto 22 headquarters at 951-695-3000 or find them online at www.opto22.com.
Analog and digital I/O communicated wirelessly via Modbus/TCP to a network switch that then passes acquired data to the controller.
“We’ve successfully segmented our network and use one of the controllers’ Ethernet ports exclusively for monitoring and control, and the other for communicating to PCs and databases,” says Weissenborn. “This design offers better management of network traffic and lowers risk by establishing a built-in firewall that shields and safeguards landfill operations from viruses or other threats that might creep onto the corporate network.”
Remote Access Landfill operators must be sure that their automation systems not only optimally manage the processing of leachate, but that they also aggregate data confirming that the criteria for elimination and dispersal of contaminants has been met and no discharge into the public sewer system took place during any period of non-compliance. And because landfill sites are usually far removed from most of the population, these same automation systems must offer secure, remote access to the individuals responsible for the site. To accommodate this, System Devices designed its system to notify off-site personnel of problems via SMS, and then allow remote access via ADSL broadband modem and secure virtual network computing (i.e., desktop sharing) software. This way, respondents are able to confirm problems, identify the causes and initiate corrective actions from wherever they may be. “We now have a leachate management system for which we’ve designed control programs that define the operational parameters of all field devices and equipment at our landfill,” said Weissenborn. “The system provides historical data that can be stored on computer systems for long periods of time. Perhaps best of all, it’s modular and adaptable, so we can easily customize and build variations of this system for other landfill customers.”
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SCADA - Feature Ten Steps to Increasing Data Center Efficiency and Availability Through Infrastructure Monitoring Matthew Zieg, Product Marketing Manager Liebert Monitoring Business Unit, Emerson Network Power The first decade of the 21st century was one of rapid growth and change for data centers. Data center managers were forced to react to rapid changes dictated by capacity and availability requirements, and the density of the equipment being deployed to meet those requirements. Now data centers must enter a new stage of maturity marked by a more proactive approach to management to enable increased efficiency, better planning and higher levels of service. All of this starts with the physical support systems around a data center. Achieving actionable visibility into operations requires the ability to collect, consolidate and analyze data across the entire data center infrastructure layer. That requires monitoring and control capabilities. The ten steps outlined in this article provide a systematic approach to building the foundation for data center infrastructure management. Data centers employing these steps will be well-positioned to gain operational, strategic and transformative advantages for their enterprise.
1. Sensing Temperatures One of the most significant consequences of growing data center density and complexity is the issue of heat density. As data center density has increased, cooling loads have grown and become more heterogeneous. It is no longer possible to manage temperatures on a facility level because rack densities may vary widely. Installing a network of temperature sensors across the data center helps ensure that all equipment is operating within the ASHRAE recommended temperature range (64.4°F to 80.6° F). By sensing temperatures at multiple locations the airflow and cooling capacity of the precision cooling units can be more precisely controlled, resulting in more efficient operation. Additionally, the network of sensors can reduce cooling costs by allowing safe operation closer to the upper end of the temperature range. According to an ASHRAE paper developed by Emerson Network Power, a 10° F increase in server inlet temperatures results in a 30 percent reduction in compressor power draw. Assuming the facility’s computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units are equipped with digital or unloading compressors, this reduction can translate into a 21 percent reduction in cooling energy costs. Data center cooling systems typically measure return air temperatures and, in some cases, supply air temperatures. These measurements should be supplemented with sensors that measure server inlet temperature to enable more precise control of air temperature at the server. The best practice is to attach at least one sensor on every rack. It is also acceptable to place a sensor on every other rack when racks are arranged in hot aisle/cold aisle configuration, and there is uniform loading across the row. Sensors should be located near the top of racks where temperatures are generally highest. It is also advantageous to locate sensors near the end of rows where they can detect hot air entering the cold aisle from the hot aisle.
2. Monitoring Power Usage With power densities and energy costs rising, the ability to monitor energy consumption is essential for effective data center management. Where power is measured can have an effect on how efficiency is measured. For a comprehensive picture of data center power consumption, power should be monitored at the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the room 8
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power distribution unit (PDU) and within the rack. Measurements taken at the UPS provide a base measure of data center energy consumption that can be used to calculate power usage effectiveness (PUE) and identify energy consumption trends. Monitoring the room PDU prevents overload conditions at the PDU and helps ensure power is distributed evenly across the facility. The best view of IT power consumption comes from intelligent PDUs inside racks, which feature integrated monitoring and control capabilities to enable continuous power monitoring. Because rack power consumption varies based on equipment within the rack and its load, each rack should be equipped with a PDU, two for dual bus environments, capable of monitoring power consumption to the rack PDU, as well as overload-protected receptacle groups and, where required, at the receptacle level. These systems can provide PDU, branch-level and receptacle-level monitoring of volts, kilowatts (kW), amps and kW per hour, providing the most direct measure of power consumption and supporting higher data center efficiency and availability.
3. Monitoring Rack Conditions With increasing densities, a single rack can support the same computing capacity that used to require an entire room. Visibility into conditions in racks can prevent many of the most common threats to rack-based equipment, such as accidental or malicious tampering. Rack monitoring units can be configured to trigger alarms when rack doors are opened, water or smoke is detected, or temperature or humidity thresholds are exceeded. Many units are equipped with cameras to capture video of the event. These “eyes inside the rack” can be connected to central monitoring systems where environmental data can be integrated with power data from rack PDUs, while also providing local notification by activating a beacon light or other alarm if problems are detected. They should always be deployed in high-density racks and racks containing business-critical equipment.
4. Detecting Fluid Leaks Data center leak detection has been around for decades. But as cooling is being distributed closer to the IT loads, which requires refrigerant runs above, below and around critical IT equipment, detection of fluid leaks through integrated monitoring solutions take on an even greater strategic importance. A single fluid leak can cause significant equipment damage— and result in loses in data, customer transactions and enterprise productivity. Leak detection systems use strategically located sensors to detect leaks across the data center and trigger alarms to prevent damage. Sensors should be positioned at every point fluids are present in data centers, including around water and glycol piping, humidifier supply and drain lines, condensate drains and unit drip pans. A leak detection system can be operated as a standalone system or connect into central monitoring systems to simplify alarm management.
5. Intelligent Control of Data Center Cooling Data center cooling is extremely critical and a significant consumer of energy, when used with fans, blowers and compressors. Intelligent controls integrated into room, row and rack cooling systems allow this equipment to efficiently maintain temperature, humidity and airflow control. They coordinate the operation of multiple units to allow the units to complement rather than compete with each other, as sometimes occurs when intelligent controls are not present.
SCADA Integrated control systems can also be used to enable preventive maintenance programs and speed response to system problems. Data collected by these systems enables predictive analysis of components and proactive management of system maintenance. Event logs, service history logs and spare parts lists all support more efficient service.
6. Intelligent Control of Critical Power UPS systems now include digital controls that can alter and optimize the performance of the UPS. They automatically calibrate the system and ensure the UPS is working properly. They also ensure that the UPS switches between traditional operation and bypass during overloads, protecting UPS systems and the overall power infrastructure. These controls also enable more efficient operation through energy optimization and intelligent paralleling features. Energy optimization mode increases UPS efficiency by powering the IT load from the bypass path while providing some power conditioning. Energy optimization mode can improve UPS efficiency by as much as five percentage points, but also introduces the possibility of compromising total power protection. This risk can be mitigated when the controls are designed to keep the UPS inverter “hot” while the system is in energy optimization mode, allowing faster response to utility power disturbances. Intelligent paralleling manages the load across multiple UPS modules and can automatically deactivate modules that are not required to support the load, while still ensuring that the system is providing adequate redundancy. This can improve system efficiency by up to six percent without sacrificing protection.
7. Managing Alerts and Alarms The data center infrastructure can be a complex arena of operations like cooling, UPS, PDUs, switches, circuits, gensets, fire suppression and more. Minimizing system disruption has been the traditional justification for data center infrastructure monitoring and it continues to be a powerful benefit.
The ability to view immediate status, notification of a failure, or an event that could ultimately lead to a failure, through a centralized system allows for a faster, more effective response to system problems. Equally important is a robust infrastructure management system that is optimized to manage the complexity of today’s dynamic data center environments, can prioritize alarms by criticality, to ensure most serious incidents receive priority attention. The visibility into data center infrastructure provided by a centralized system can help prevent problems before they happen.
8. Monitoring Energy Efficiency Automating collection and analysis of data from the infrastructure support systems can help reduce energy consumption while increasing IT productivity. Energy efficiency monitoring can track total data center consumption, automatically calculate and analyze PUE and optimize the use of alternative energy sources. Using real time data from the many support systems, the monitoring system can track and trend total infrastructure power utilization and compare this to capacities. For example, UPS power output determines when UPS units are running at peak efficiency, and report Level 1 (basic) PUE. Monitoring at the room or row PDU provides the ability to more efficiently load power supplies, dynamically manage cooling and automatically calculate Level 2 (intermediate) PUE. Panel board monitoring provides visibility into power consumption by non-IT systems, including lighting and generators, to ensure efficient use of those systems. Finally, rack-level monitoring provides the most accurate picture of IT equipment power consumption and can support Level 3 (advanced) PUE reporting. The ability to automate data collection, consolidation and analysis related to efficiency is essential to data center optimization and frees up data center staff to focus on strategic IT issues. Please see article continued on page 30
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Remote Site & Equipment Management April/May 2011
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SCADA - Feature South Central Indiana REMC Steps into the Smart Grid With IP-Based Networking Philip Mattison, V.P. Operations South Central Indiana REMC As their current contract with a meter reading company was coming to a close, South Central Indiana (SCI) REMC, headquartered in Martinsville, Ind., saw a major opportunity. In order to establish the basis for taking advantage of smart grid technology, SCI REMC consulted Power System Engineering to create a comprehensive advanced metering and control infrastructure. The result was an integrated Ethernet network that enabled them to not only communicate internally within the facility and substations, but also to automate meter reading at customer sites. A highly visible component of a smart grid system is a peak pricing plan, made possible by automated reading of meters at co-op members’ homes and businesses. The old contract called for monthly meter readings, which did not provide enough granularity to support the new program. Both Hoosier Energy, the coop’s electricity generation and transmission provider, and the customers need a history of service in order to determine the pricing structure and benefits of the peak pricing plan SCI REMC wanted to put into place. Prior to building out the new system, SCI REMC had experimented with daily readings utilizing the current system, Figure 1 but had unreliable results utilizing an existing analog radio system. MapleNet Wireless was selected as the contractor to build the wireless system. Within a couple of months from the time the design was complete, a new installation not only made it possible to get hourly meter reads, in preparation for time-of-use pricing, but also gain a system that provides greater bandwidth and higher throughput to support future expansion. South Central Indiana REMC is the largest distribution cooperative in Indiana with over 34,000 members in seven counties. At the time the decision was made to automate its meter reading, the company had already installed Ethernet in the office, and a 220 MHz radio system for SCADA. MapleNet Wireless worked with SCI REMC to build a comprehensive network that would not only process data from the new AMR system, but also integrate the legacy serial network at the substations into an overall network utilizing backbone towers with microwave radios. The network needed to support a transport layer that was multiprotocol. Instead of dedicated connectivity for SCADA, AMR, radio, video, reclosers, substation automation and other capabilities, the objective was to put all systems on the same transport carrier and backhaul. Industrial Ethernet and IP protocols filled the bill, while providing greater bandwidth than other solutions. The installation covered 22 substations and eight tower sites over a 980 sq. mile area. Figure 1 shows the typical substation configurations. Since the co-op anticipated even more IP-based services in the future, including video security, it was necessary to ensure that the system was scalable and reliable and that the technology would be forward- as well as backward-compatible. Additional benefits of industrial Ethernet include high reliability, and feature-rich specifications including built-in fiber for high EMI noise immunity, 48, 110, and 125 VDC operation, and extended temperature operating capabilities. MapleNet chose a series of hardened Magnum managed Ethernet switches, terminal servers, and converters from GarrettCom to provide network connectivity. The Magnum 6K32T Managed Switches were placed 10
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at the wireless towers where they offer 100 Mb/s Ethernet connections. The wireless towers supply 50Mb/s Ethernet (plus 8xT-1 capacity) and are part of the backbone. They are interconnected back to the main office using Ceragon Fibeair licensed microwave radios. Each tower site has either one or two Magnum 6K32T managed switches deployed in equipment racks. The 6K32T switches include premium MNS-6K-SECURE management software to provide a high level of cyber security for the network, and the installation is set up with ring topology to allow for rapid fault recovery utilizing GarrettCom’s patent-pending S-Ring technology which is capable of supporting large rings and long distances. At each substation, a Magnum 6K8 managed field switch is connected into a cluster management module (CMM) and then out to a 900 Mz wireless access point radio. A fiber link then interconnects the switch with a Magnum DX800 terminal server, which also provides a serial link into the existing SCADA and AMR systems. The DX800 also offers other serial copper connections into serial media converters. In some situations, a Magnum CS14 Converter Switch was used to connect directly to the wireless radios. According to Philip Mattison, VP of operations at SCI REMC, environmental hardening and reliability were two features that were important in the choice of Ethernet switches. “We didn’t want to get a system in that we were constantly toying with and replacing parts. We have better things to do with our resources,” he said. “We knew GarrettCom and knew they could do the job.” MapleNet’s National Sales Manager, Steve Carender, who was involved in the development of the network, added that GarrettCom’s modularity was an important part of the equation because as the co-op continued to move away from RS-232 and serial connectivity, the company would be able to plug in port modules to meet the new requirements rather than replace switches. GarrettCom’s wide selection of form factors was also a consideration. “There were some pretty constrained spaces where we needed to deploy switches, and GarrettCom had a selection of switches with the right degree of hardening and the right sizes to meet our needs,” said Carender. GarrettCom, Inc. is a provider of industrial networking products for specialty and stressed applications with business locations in North America, Europe and India. GarrettCom specializes in mission-critical, customizable, and durable products for extreme conditions. It offers industrial and substation-hardened networking products such as managed or unmanaged switches, multi-protocol routers, Ethernet and serial media converters, terminal servers, and serial communications. GarrettCom also offers software capabilities in the areas of cyber security, physical security, and fault-tolerance for high-availability industrial networking solutions. For more information visit www.garrettcom.com. MapleNet Wireless is a provider of wireless communications technologies. They are a full service turn-key provider of licensed and unlicensed microwave systems from manufacturers such as Ceragon, Motorola, Redline, and more. In addition, our staff erects on average more than one new tower per week for our customers. For more information please visit them online at www.maplenet-inc.com.
SCADA RemoteConnect Telemetry System Satisfies WQT05 Requirements Irrigation system managers will find that McCrometer’s RemoteConnect telemetry system, featuring 24/7 pump monitoring, notification and control capability through wireless remote communications, helps them to meet WQT05 criteria by delivering real-time crop data. WQT05 is a Water Quantity Enhancement Activity developed by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service for the CSP Program that requires remote monitoring and notification of irrigation pumping plant operation. It was initiated to help farmers and ranchers conserve irrigation water usage and energy costs and prioritize field visits. Irrigators that qualify for CSP will be able to deploy the RemoteConnect system to qualify for the WQT05 enhancement practice. As a turn-key wireless remote monitoring system with 24/7 capability, the RemoteConnect system reduces manual data collection. It features secure-access and a Web-based interface that automatically notifies operators of any changes in the irrigation system via the Internet, email, mobile phones, texting and pagers. The RemoteConnect system enables irrigators to monitor water-use quotas, set alarms to indicate high/low usage rates and track crop data. McCrometer now provides a single go-to source for automated flow measurement system hardware, software, installation, training, support and field service. The comprehensive availability of RemoteConnect flow data helps irrigators ensure accurate billing and water allocation records. Irrigators are also alerted when they are close to exceeding allocation limits, helping to reduce costs and meet conservation objectives. RemoteConnect is a cost-effective solution for farmers and ranchers whether their primary need is monitoring water quality, soil moisture, water flow or pump control.
import data and results from a separate operational system. ELF joins an expanding CygNet Gas Application suite for gas pipeline operators, which also includes functionality for gas measurement data, volume calculations and contract monitoring. ELF is a neural network-driven energy load forecasting system that returns highly accurate predictions of future gas demand. ELF keeps pipelines operating most effectively to maximize profitability, meet contractual or compliance obligations, and ensure customers are well served. By adjusting the line pack and stored gas automatically, ELF reduces variability by preparing pipelines in advance for expected demand, taking the guess work and grunt work out of daily load planning. Specific features of ELF include Neural Nets, standardized data import, forecast management and platform integration. With Neural Nets ELF employs predictive neural network technology that learns, becoming more accurate over time to commute load calculations based on user-defined variance against actual values. Neural net training can be split among servers for increased speed and better performance. With standardized data import and any standard or user-defined data input variable can be used to deliver the highest confidence data into the allocation process, including historical/forecasted weather, flow data or economic factors. With forecast management users can schedule, adjust and organize forecasts based on user-defined rules and parameters to retrain ELF automatically as conditions or import data changes. Define hierarchies for individual meters or aggregate groups for more flexible, granular forecasts of future gas demand. ELF running on CygNet EOP reduces set-up time with a single point of data configuration for EFM and SCADA, and a single view into gas operations, with all the data management and export features common to CygNet’s core platform.
CygNet Software Bolsters Gas Application Suite with Energy Load Forecasting CygNet Software has introduced Energy Load Forecasting (ELF), the newest load optimization and planning application available for natural gas pipeline operators. ELF empowers gas transporters to maximize pipeline efficiency and profitability with self-learning software that automates the complex estimation processes involved in balancing supply and demand with contractual obligations.
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