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These IT tools make it possible to supervise and monitor energy consumption and supply, contributing to energy efficiency and optimizing the operation of solar and wind energy plants, among other functions.
In literal terms, software is like a light that guides the electrical industry toward progress. They are like sparks of innovation that make life easier for the industry, improving performance and efficiency in many aspects.
The Grid Automation sales manager at Hitachi Energy Latam, José Antonio Beas Reyes, points out that these solutions in the electricity sector, “make it possible to supervise and monitor energy consumption and supply, detect outages, record event and take decisions in face of planned and unplanned events. At a field level, they are capable of monitoring critical assets in a prescriptive and forecasting mode to prevent unwanted errors and maintain operational continuity”.
Also, he states that with the emergence of machine learning technology, new powerful platforms have been developed, which, through data management and collection “make it possible to generate models that can forecast specific scenarios which can anticipate corrective actions, preventing catastrophic situations”. An example is software used for vegetation control on transmission and distribution lines which allow, thanks to the development of advanced algorithms, to supervise in an effective and proactive manner the growth of trees over said lines”.
Additionally, these tools “can include within the same suite as the early detection of fires, the growth of unauthorized settlements below the line and connect, for example, with weather forecasting systems. This, for example, is to face climate change which is currently causing a considerably negative effect on the electricity supply”.
Other functions
Software also contributes to energy efficiency in the power industry. Schneider Electric has proven this with solutions such as EcoStruxure and Aveva, which range from automation and energy management to advanced simulation and optimization of operations, “integrating forecasting analysis that helps to reduce energy waste, extend the durability of equipment and minimize unplanned interruptions”, explains the director of the company Industry Automation, Gabriel Estay.
Specifically, the company has made important contributions to electrical substations and data centers through solutions such as System Platform and Aveva’s electrical design software. In the facilities, they have optimized energy efficiency, control, and reliability of operations. “And there is still great potential in electric smart network management and cybersecurity, assures the expert.
“Our greatest contribution has in the area of software towards the supervision of consumption and output of energy, and for the management of critical assets that must operate 24/7/365”, mentions José Antonio Beas Reyes, sales manager of Hitachi Energy Latam.
Providing precise wind and solar generation forecasts through artificial intelligence is another of the great functionalities offered by the software. Suncast offers forecasting services for 3.5 GW of installed capacity in Chile, representing about 20% of the country's solar and wind capacity.
“This optimizes the operational schedules of power plants, providing critical information for decision-making and greater stability to the national electricity matrix. The forecasts are sent directly to the Coordinador Eléctrico Nacional, which complies with the required regulations in force” says Pedro Correa, Correa, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), of the firm.
Diversified offer
In regards to Suncast's Web Platform, which is designed to optimize the operation of solar and wind power plants, the specialist explains that “it provides detailed energy forecasts accompanied by key meteorological variables, which allow operators to have a clear overview of future energy generation. It includes a record of outages such as maintenance or malfunction of specific equipment, automatically adjusting the forecasts to show the actual operational availability of the power plants.
Also, Hitachi Energy is a supplier of Scada ADMS, OMS and EMS systems for the correct supervision of the demand and supply of energy at a level of coordinators and operators, “enabling improvements in quality indexes and quick recovery in the event of catastrophic events”, reassures Beas.
Additionally, it is a relevant aspect in the MicroScadas field for reliable and secure visibility and supervision of electrical substations, with a synchronized connection to industrial consumers and operators-coordinators. Scalable technology solutions for critical asset management mode to avoid unplanned outages are also offered.
Recently, the company added to its portfolio machine learning and satellite vision solutions for vegetation control, early fire detection, settlement control and asset correction, all in synchronization with the weather forecasting platforms and ERP systems.
In this regard, Beas explains that the technological tools provided by Hitachi Energy “are a concept whose mission is intended to accompany our clients during the entire cycle of their operations, allowing them to access disruptive digital technologies that are intuitive, scalable and user-friendly. Their focus is to increase the operational availability and efficiency based on full visibility of all aspects associated with energy consumption and demand”, he explains.
Schneider Electric emphasizes that its software solutions have been designed to improve the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of electrical operations. “Advanced characteristics such as real-time monitoring, process automation and analysis forecasting, these tools allow companies in the electricity sector to optimize their energy management, reduce operating costs and increase the security of their facilities,” says Gabriel Estay.
“We will continue to progress with AI tools and data analytics, facilitating better-informed decisions to maximize energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint of industrial operations,” director of Industry Automation at Schneider Electric, Gabriel Estay.
Towards hydroelectricity
In addition to its advanced generation forecasts, Suncast features a new unavailability logging tool, which was recently added to the company’s web platform.
“The purpose of this functionality is to register the precision of all the events that can affect the availability of the park, such as the maintenance of inverters or wind turbines, partial or total malfunction of equipment, and even limitations at an entire substation level. Using this detailed information, we can adjust our forecasts more precise and in line with operational reality”, explains Pedro Correa.
The company is eager to expand into hydroelectricity, especially for forecasting run-of-river power plant flows, where hydraulic resources are directly dependent on climate variability. “The ability to anticipate stream flows more accurately would allow these plants to optimize their operation and respond more effectively to fluctuations in water availability,” states the specialist.
“The integration with the Coordinador Eléctrico Nacional guarantees the automated and reliable delivery of real-time forecasts as required by current regulations,” Pedro Correa, CTO of Suncast.
B2B Media Group. 2024. Edition 295 of Revista Electricidad, October 2024.