Energy Control System An Advanced Approach for Transalta Utilities

TransAlta Utilities, the largest investor owned electric utility in Canada, is implementing an advanced energy control system to be located in Calgary, Alberta. This energy control system (ECS) consists of four large-scale processors configured as a main applications computer (MAC) and a security applications computer (SAC) with the remaining two processors in a dual redundant mode with the MAC and SAC. The system includes MMI equipment and advanced SCADA interfacing hardware which supports the sequence of events (SOE) function. The energy control system is supplied by the Leeds and Northrup Company and will replace three existing systems which were designed and constructed by TransAlta Utilities. The new system will centralize the electric system monitoring, control, and security assessment functions in the Calgary facility and allow the expansion capability needed in the rapidly growing province. This paper will provide a functional description of the overall energy control system configuration and the software provided. Major emphasis will be placed on the advanced applications which are being provided as a part of the system. These advanced applications have many unique ``state of the art´´ features which give the power system operator vastly improved capabilities in controlling and analyzing the system.