An architecture for integrating an expert system with NEPLAN in a DMS/EMS operational environment

During 2006-2008, the Electrical Research Institute in Me¿xico developed an on-line simulator of the electric distribution system (distribution network) for Comisio¿n Federal de Electricidad, the main electric utility in Me¿xico. The simulator was installed in a regional distribution control center in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Me¿xico. In the functional specification stage, a requirement was detected, consisting of an ¿intelligent¿ module that is inside the on-line simulator in charge of emitting on-line recommendations as to reconnection strategies, in case disturbs are found in the distribution network. Therefore, analyzing, designing, validating and integrating an expert module or expert system was necessary, in order to assure that it meets the customer´s expectations. As part of the whole project, a search was carried out, in order to define which of the commercially-available network analysis tools was the best option for the particular project. Using a formal and recursive strategy, NEPLAN by BCP was selected because it is the one which best complies with the functional requirement evaluation. In this context, one of the most important challenges of the project was to define and to validate the system architecture that allows all the software components to work in an integral and collaborative way, capable of exchanging messages with relevant information related to the distribution network in DMS/EMS operational environment, considering and including the integration of the real-time information, a connectivity to a SCADA system in order to continuously update the real operational status. This writing shows the result of the system architecture for integrating NEPLAN and the expert system in a DMS/EMS operational environment in a distribution control center in CFE.