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6.6.2 System Integration in the Power Utility Industry: Lessons Learned
Author(s) -
Rothweiler Angela
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.2002.tb02590.x
Subject(s) - maintainability , survivability , vendor , automation , electric utility , scheduling (production processes) , popularity , electric power industry , computer science , system integration , electric power system , competitive advantage , engineering management , systems engineering , business , engineering , power (physics) , reliability engineering , operations management , electricity , marketing , software engineering , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering , psychology , physics , quantum mechanics , operating system , social psychology
The shift from regional monopolies to retail marketers has caused significant structural changes within the Power Utility Industry, such as the disintegration of the transmission sectors, the transformation from engineering management to business leadership, the reorganization of distribution operations, and the ongoing acquisitions, mergers and buy‐outs. For the past 6 years, utility companies have been seeking new economic solutions that will allow them to survive within the competitive market. One area that has gained popularity is substation automation (SA). SA entails the integration and data management of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) within the substation. This paper attempts to use systems engineering (SE) principles for the design and development of substation data concentration (SDC) systems. A collaborated effort between the designer, the utility experts, the programmers and the technical manager transform the SDC operational need into system performance parameters; integrate functional and program interfaces in a manner that optimizes the total system; and ensures reliability, maintainability and survivability to meet cost and scheduling objectives.