PSIcontrol is the top-of-the line control system for monitoring, controlling and simulating the behavior of power grids. Its modular design supports managing different grid types, for example, transmission, distribution and low voltage grids, as well as pipe-based grids for compressible (e.g., gas) and incompressible (e.g. district heating, water) media in the same system.
Grid simulation and optimization tools are available. The system supports multi-tenancy and can be installed geographically distributed.
Reliable Supply
Grid operators are obliged to ensure the transmission and distribution of electrical power to customers without interruption. Therefore the power grids belong to critical infrastructure.
Service interruptions due to external influences (e.g. weather or accidents) are undesirable yet unavoidable. Maintenance is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the grids. In any case, the impact on the customers supplied by the grid must be minimized.
In addition, energy networks are increasingly exposed to digital attacks aiming at disrupting the supply. Furthermore, legal requirements the energy transition leads to an accelerated change of rules and requirements.
This makes it all the more important for the grid operator to use a control system that keeps pace with changes and “grows” with them.
PSIcontrol is constantly developed further by young, innovative product developers and experienced project staff in dialog with energy supply practitioners making it the first choice of grid operators.
Research
Research is necessary – PSI spends a substantial share of its revenues on research. Such is executed by PSI individually or in cooperation with other relevant players in the energy markets in private or publicly funded research. This is how we ensure that PSIcontrol is more than just a state-of-the-art solution supporting and inspiring you and your employees, both now and in the future.
Advantages at a Glance
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Modular PSIcontrol's scope of functions adapt to the requirements of a project. This includes interfacing with other systems.
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Flexibility PSIcontrol grows with your requirements – both functionally as well as in data model size.
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Distributed A single PSIcontrol system may be installed at different locations. All installations form the single control system instance.
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Resilience PSIcontrol’s system design is resilient – the distributed system supports managing system faults across the complete system. The pertinent Cyber Security is of course part of the package.
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Economic PSIcontrol supports integrating multiple energies (e.g., power, gas, water, district heating) in a single system. This can be done in a single or multi-tenancy environment.
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Standard PSIcontrol is developed as a product. Updates and upgrades make the system an evergreen one meeting your requirements at any time.
Functions
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User Interface PSIcontrol’s user interface meets the specific requirements of energy control already by design. It is uncompromisingly fast and extremely flexible. It supports all necessary formats (e.g., tables, curves, lists, substation, overview and geographical displays including the typical map information such as roads, settlements, rivers, etc.). Direct user guidance avoids misinterpretation and facilitates using the sytem's functions. The output formats are independent of the underlying graphics subsystem (X1, Java and browser). The administrator may edit any symbols (Picture or Display Variables) or create new ones.
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Data Engineering The Data Engineering module provides the tools to manage the description of the controlled processes and offers comprehensive functions for data entry and maintenance. Import and export functions support integration with other data sources.
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SCADA PSIcontrol's basic modul is SCADA. It's data acquisition and control functions interacts with the process directly. It manages the dynamic process information in it's real-time database and offers large data model support and optimal dynamics. The SCADA system can be flexibly configured to meet the demands of individual customers. It also includes a program development environment for easy adaptation and extension of the system.
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Power Applications PSIcontrol offers all necessary functions to calculate the grid state. They are seamlessly integrated into the control system facilitating use by the operator or by the system (e.g., for interlock checking). PSIcontrol can be fitted with modules for power as well as compressible and incompressible media (e.g., gas, oil, water) grid state calculation. The same Data Engineering tool is used to define the required data together with the SCADA data facilitating editing and ensuring a consistent data set.
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Load Forecasting A load forecasting system is available for PSIcontrol. It forecasts the power demand in the entire as well as parts of the supply area. PSIcontrol’s load forecasting supports Neural Networks as well as classic methods such as linear regression, extrapolation or similar day search. These methods can be used in combination.
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Operator Training System PSIcontrol manages complex energy grids. The behavior of such grids depends on physical as well as technical conditions. PSIcontrol’s integrated Operator Training System (OTS) uses a comprehensive grid mode that includes the automation and protection system. This enables realistic training without extensive preparation. Additionally supported are interactive training as well as the analysis of the power grid state.
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Automatic Generation Control PSIcontrol‘s load/frequency controller maintains a stable frequency in the grid by balancing power generation, demand and tie line exchange. PSIcontrol’s data engineering system supports configur-ing, adapting and extending the controller. This provides unprecedented observability as well as flexibility of the system.
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Controlling DER PSIcontrol may include functions for controlling distributed energy resources (DER). The impact of the generators are determined according to their topological location. The seamlessly integrated functionality supports controlling large numbers of DER according to German and European rules. In cooperation with PSIsaso, predictive control and re-dispatching are supported.
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Historical Data Management PSIcontrol includes a module for acquiring, processing, storing and editing of historical data. The system is based on a real-time information storage and retrieval as well as a SQL RDBMS based solution providing the data also to external clients through a browser and a web service interface.
Modules and Application Areas
SCADA System
PSIcontrol SCADA is the basic module for all other industry specific implementations. It provides the basis for other functions. The data acquired is converted to status data and measurements, sub-jected to programmed as well as configured processing and stored in the real-time database for other applications’ use.
Application Areas
PSIcontrol is suitable for all energy sectors, regardless of grid size and voltage level. In the following, we will explain the individual areas of application in which the product is already successfully established on the market.
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Transmission System Operator
PSIcontrol supports transmission system operators with a comprehensive portfolio of functions, which can be adapted to specific requirements, if necessary. Such functions include network calculations, communication with other TSO's and the timely balancing of power supply and demand.
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Distribution System Operators
PSIcontrol is the tool designed and implemented for the specific requirements of regional distribution system operators. Comprehensive support for control room personnel in remote controlling as well as field crew operations. The simulation functions offer comprehensive grid status determination and answers to “what if” questions.
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Municipal Utilities and Multi Utility System Operators
Distribution grids in urban areas have their own specific characteristics. A high network density and integration with other energy sources (e.g., gas, district heating, water) and transportation such as tram or subway place special demands on the control system. PSIcontrol meets those and is therefore the optimal operator’s tool.
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Industry
PSIcontrol available as a control system for energy-intensive industries. The SCADA functions support the specific requirements of an industrial network. The network calculations simulate the specific network behavior correctly even if many motors are used.
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Traction Power Supply
PSIcontrol version for traction power supply for railways supports transmission as well as distribution (i.e., the traction power) grids. Additionally, standard 50/60 Hz networks supplying of train stations can also be natively integrated. The system supports the operators by a high degree of automation, particularly in the management of the complex network structures.
Typical Users
Management (e.g., head of one or more control centers)
The management requires an overview of what is happening in the grid, optimally from their office. However, they must not interfere with network operations. PSIcontrol supports information presentation via a browser user interface or the Java client. The latter is installed on the office systems and takes over the information display in accordance with the cyber security guidelines.
Q & A
Which hardware and operating systems are required for PSIcontrol?
PSIcontrol works on standard systems with 64-bit Intel or AMD architecture. PSI Software SE currently uses HP servers (19-inch rack-mount systems). A Linux distribution (Red Hat or SUSE, each in the Enterprise Edition) serves as the operating system. Typically, the servers hosts PSIcontrol under a hypervisor (currently: VMware ).
What data model sizes are supported by PSIcontrol?
PSIcontrol was designed for medium to large networks. The software technical limit is given by the 64-bit architecture of the system and therefore does not represent a real limitation of the data model. Some of the systems implemented to date include more than 20,000 telecontrol substations with corresponding data and system dynamics as well as extensive network analysis and calculation functions.
Which cyber security rules does PSIcontrol comply with?
PSIcontrol complies with the rules set by the ISO 27001 family (27002/27019). The requirements of the BDEW white paper are also met. Internationally, PSIcontrol fulfills the control system-specific requirements of NERC CIP.
How is PSIcontrol maintained and further developed?
PSIcontrol is developed as a standard product. Approximately every year PSI New releases (up-grades). Between releases, updates (i.e., bug fixes and minor adjustments) are released every six months. PSI offers maintenance contracts that ensure long-term maintenance of the installed control system.
Our company has specific, unique requirements. How can PSIcontrol support them?
PSIcontrol is developed as a standard product. Already at the design stage, PSI’s focus was and is on greatest possible flexibility and adaptability. Changes that cannot be met by configuration or parameterization are implemented on request as project-specific software using the extensive PSIcontrol basis and already existing extensions are used as a toolbox.
What certifications are available for PSIcontrol in the railroad sector?
PSIcontrol is used for traction power control in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. In these countries, the relevant authorities have issued the required licenses - in Germany the Federal Railway Authority (Eisenbahnbundesamt).
