Network topology and geospatial network visualization as major enhancements to an existing system – Learn more about the story behind

Netze BW GmbH, located in Stuttgart, Germany, operates the gas supply of the whole region Mittlerer Neckar. The overall length of the network is 6000km and comprises all pressure levels from high pressure (3 to 60 bar) to low pressure. The gas network of EnBW supplies gas to 240 municipalities and communities as well as 12 distributors. Netze BW GmbH is thus the biggest system operator in Baden-Württemberg. More than 250 telecontrol and automation systems have been installed in power grid stations to monitor and control the networks.

Netze BW GmbH uses HIGH-LEIT to control their gas supply network. The system was introduced in 2009 and since then permanently kept up to date especially with regard to IT security andhigh availability. Furthermore, the system provides some advanced features such as, for example, dynamic gas network simulation.

This year, Netze BW decided to enhance their system and added two features – network topology and geospatial network visualization – to enable more purposeful visualization of information and quicker reactions.

The network topology depicts different supply states as well as special conditions of gas pipes, provides topological notes on interlocks and customizable colouring.

Geospatial visualization offers intuitive insight about actual locations of gas pipes and control stations.

Objective and motivation

The main objective of this enhancement was to modernize existing telecontrol, automation and grid control technology. Netze BW GmbH primarily wanted to achieve the following goals:

renovation of the existing control system of the control centre Gas and complete migration of archived data from the legacy system;
creation of a second control centre Gas as local redundancy;
construction of a redundant optic fibre connection between both control centres;
conversion of the complete telecontrol for gas during operation;
integration of all stations via the standardized protocols IEC 60870-5-104 and IEC 60870-5-101.

System structure of control centre/grid control system

The highly available control system HIGH-LEIT is used as redundant system in the control centre Gas and at the second location. Both locations are connected via redundant routes. Telecontrol as a whole is connected to both locations via redundant front-end computers (IDS 850). The following advanced features have been implemented in the grid control technology:

archive server with automated data backup (separate SAN)
data synchronization between locations
time synchronization via NTP
dynamic simulation of gas networks with
the system SIMONE
data exchange with EDM system
connection of biogas plants

System concept

IDS 640, 650 and 850 are used for telecontrol and automation, whereas HIGH LEIT is used for engineering. The systems are connected to both locations via nine loops based on default network technology. Some stations have been connected to the control center via GPRS.

Result

The project was completed on schedule and within the given budget to the customer’s complete satisfaction. The staff of Netze BW GmbH is going to integrate further grid areas and connect additional plants and installations on their own.