NV Energy通过Sensus提供可靠的配电

ECS-10017-01 Seizing an opportunityIn 2009, NV Energy embraced the transitionto advanced metering infrastructure(AMI), automating the process of meterdata collection for a faster and moreaccurate view of their customers’ electricityconsumption. They deployed theSensus AMI solution, using theFlexNet®Communication Networkto connect morethan 1.3 million smart electricity meters, andwon accoladesin the process.“With a coverage area that includesmountains, deserts and cities like Las Vegas,we needed a versatile network that couldcommunicate with meters across variedterrain,” said Zaccagnino. “We believed theSensus FlexNet system would provide uswith a secure and reliable network to give usa clearer view of our customers’ usage, andthat’s proven to be the case.”NV Energy went a step further to anticipatetheir customers’ needs. The team exploredother applications that could benefittheir customers focused on DistributionAutomation (DA).DA uses Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs)placed strategically across the electric gridto collect and analyze data a utility can useto optimize power distribution across thegrid. Data from DA devices can save moneyand lower rates for customers by allowingthe utility to operate devices in real time toimprove reliability and efficiency.“DA has evolved over the years,” saidZaccagnino. “At first it was a way toisolate faults on the grid network andidentify outages; today as more and moreDistributed Energy Resources (DERs) areconnected to the grid it’s a way to optimizeenergy delivery to our customers.”FlexNet provides the backboneThe key to NV Energy’s DA initiative was theexisting FlexNet system, a dedicated, two-way communication network that operateson a licensed spectrum for secure datatransmission.“The FlexNet system provided thecommunication backbone for our DAinitiative,” said Zaccagnino. “We have IEDsthat bring back current and voltage, so wefound that we could leverage these as DAassets to help improve power quality andprovide voltage support for our customers.”Paying off in spadesThe utility’s FlexNet DA effort began in 2016with a pilot deployment of 10 base stationsconcentrated primarily in the southern part“We put together a business case and, after reviewing power quality before and after the Distribution CapacitorAutomation Project (DCAP), we determined that we could deliver an average savings of $1.75 million per year,which we transfer to our customers through a reduction in fuel and purchased power.”D A N Z A C C A G N I N O ,Senior Engineer, NV Energy © 2018 Sensus8601 Six Forks Rd, Ste 700, Raleigh, NC 27615“Now it only takes a few seconds toupdate the server where it used to takeseveral minutes,” said Zaccagnino. “Whencommands are issued, it refreshes on theweb server a lot faster than it did before.”Another step on the journeyWith the full deployment of the DA solutionexpected to be completed in 2019, NVEnergy continues to look for new ways todeliver value to its customers. The utility willlook for ways to leverage the DA solutionfor initiatives such asconservation voltagereduction (CVR)andphase detection.“We want to deploy new technology toimprove reliability and service to ourcustomers, and we see DA as an opportunityto do that,” said Zaccagnino.The Sensus solution allows NV Energy to optimize powerdistribution across the smart grid. 1-800-638-3748sensus.comof the state. The initial results were sopromising that NV Energy immediatelymoved forward with a full deploymentacross their entire service area.“We put together a business case and, afterreviewing power quality before and after theDistribution Capacitor Automation Project(DCAP), we determined that we coulddeliver an average savings of $1.75 millionper year, which we transfer to our customersthrough a reduction in fuel and purchasedpower,” said Zaccagnino.In addition to the AMI system already inplace, NV Energy’s DA system includes morethan 2,400 Remote Telemetry Modules(RTMs), 2-way communication devices insidecapacitor bank controllers, and SensusAutomationControl™software for fielddevice control and network management.Using AutomationControl, NV Energy canquickly identify any equipment or systemissues from any computer, even field crewsusing tablets or smartphones. The simpleweb interface complements existingdistribution supervisory control and dataacquisition (SCADA) systems and providesadditional features for engineering,planning and operations.