A suite of applications designed specifically to optimize and future-proof distribution networks. Optimized and reduced network loads save US$ millions, and over 100,000 MWh per year.
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Challenge
Today’s operating landscape for distribution grids is expected to evolve more in the next decade than in the whole of the previous century. This is due to pressure on distribution operators to adapt to the energy mix, and uncertain business and regulatory models.3
Solution
A global energy solutions provider partnered with SimpleXoft to create Integrated Distribution Management Systems designed specifically to meet the needs of real-time management of distribution networks. Using this suite of applications, utility operators can monitor current network conditions, detect and isolate faults, optimize power distribution, and create reports for outage management results.2
Approach
To meet the new demands of ever-changing operating environments. Next-generation electric grids need to become efficient, reliable, and sustainable. SimpleXoft deploys agile teams of developers, specializing in energy and utilities, to create digital solutions.4
Result
The solution enables energy utilities to cut outage response times and restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers in a matter of minutes. Grid optimization through the Integrated Distribution Management Systems has saved clients US$ millions per year.Meeting the demands of rapidly-changing operating environments
The energy and utilities industries have had more than ten years to evolve and support increased power consumption. But, as access and demand for energy expands, utility companies need to ensure they are adapting to this new digital shift. Especially with the deployment of generation and distributed-energy resources such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, solar PV, and complex smart grids.
With unprecedented changes on the horizon, the digitization of distribution management systems is becoming a critical factor in keeping pace with the rapidly-changing operating environment, and the uncertainty of evolving business and regulatory models. However, to approach the creation of next-generation utility management tools, energy companies must adopt and triage the following issues to remain competitive:
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hire qualified developers
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hire developers with industry domain knowledge
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identify quality delivery processes.
Agile development team with industry-domain knowledge
SimpleXoft began working for the client in 2018, providing a team of up to 60 developers and testers to support their internal development staff. Now, the energy industry is rapidly changing and focusing more on clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Our client needed a team that could provide industry knowledge, strong leadership, and proven success, to ensure the quality of the final products - especially since the grid is becoming increasingly complex with the deployment of more distributed energy resources (DERs) and distributed generation (DG). To ensure the same level of industry knowledge across all developers, Luxoft implemented an extensive knowledge-sharing process within its teams.
The SimpleXoft teams developed a digital solution that addressed a number of key utility concerns including: increasing network efficiencies; identifying and preventing issues; and balancing supply and demand. In conjunction with the internal teams, Luxoft delivered an Integrated Distribution Management System (IDMS) solution that provided real-time management of distribution networks.
During the development cycle, SimpleXoft agile teams provided our client with:
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new feature development
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bug fixes
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independent testing
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builds and automated tests
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installation kits development
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documentation
Real time management of distribution networks
SimpleXoft worked with the client to create customized Integrated Distribution Management Systems (IDMS), application suites designed specifically to meet the needs of real-time management of distribution networks.
Here are just some of the solution features:
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Real-time management view – presents a unified operating environment displaying the status of the electrical network in real-time geographic and schematic formats.
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Outage management – tools for operators to manage scheduled and unscheduled outages from within a unified operating environment that integrates real-time DMS, SCADA, crew monitoring, and switching orders.
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Analysis – utilizes current power system conditions (SCADA measurements, load schedules, etc.) to detect unbalanced distribution power flow and fault locations. The DNAF can now be scheduled to run periodically, by prespecified events or operator demand.
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Optimizer – feeder reconfiguration, system restoration, and Volt/Var optimization tools designed to improve the efficiency and economics of distribution system operations.
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Switching operations– creation of switching orders and safety documents for planned and unplanned outages, network reconfigurations, restoration of unplanned outages, and augmentation of the distribution network.
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Historical operations archive – stores historical data in a relational database and allows for the creation of reports for distribution and outage management. Archived data includes (but is not limited to): DPF solution summaries; fault location solutions and results; released safety documents; and customer calls, meter events, and statuses.
Optimized performance, improved efficiency, and the resilience of grids
Over the last 10 years, SimpleXoft has deployed several Agile teams with energy and utility expertise, to assist our client in the development of digital tools for the optimization of energy distribution networks. This has enabled our client to scale and build a unique solution that allows their customers to:
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optimize and reduce network loads, saving US$ millions and over 100,000 MWh a year
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decrease outage response times, restoring power to hundreds of thousands of customers in under three minutes
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identify and isolate faults while restoring power to the rest of the electric grid
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increase renewable exports onto the grid by 20 per cent
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quickly coordinate service crews in destructive storm conditions to restore power within hours.