Ron Smith Wed Nov 15

Reducing Energy Consumption with a Distributed SCADA System

The Adelanto Public Utility Authority in Adelanto, CA wanted to participate in the local clean power plan (CPP) that incentivizes the reduction of energy usage during periods of high grid demand. However, this was a challenge since the utility did not have a system-wide supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for its three reservoirs and 22 pumps. Thus, the utility company engaged in a project with Vertech to connect all of its sites to a central SCADA and provide controls to automatically load-shed during CPP events. 

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Vertech worked in cooperation with Power & Process Engineers to design and install a wireless network using a combination of Ubiquiti 5MHz AirFiber broadband radios as a network backbone and Ubiquiti NanoBeam radios connected at each site. Some sites were also connected using VPN connections hosted by local Internet providers.

Rockwell Automation ControlLogix programmable logic controllers (PLCs) were installed at each site for monitoring and control, and an Inductive Automation Ignition SCADA system was installed to provide visualization, alarming, and data collection. Ignition also provided the interface to a Cal-Edison GridLink appliance that provides the request to shutdown equipment. Operators can still override shutdowns to ensure delivery of water to residents if necessary.

After testing this system over a three-month period, Adelanto Public Utility Authority reduced power consumption by about 50 percent on average during CPP events. During one test where water demand was not critical, the system shed 99 percent of its load, and more than half of the events showed reductions greater than 80 percent.

Read the full case study or learn more about our work designing and implementing complex control systems for water or waste water treatment.

 

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