Energy-efficiency automated monitoring center for residential and public utilities

D.A. Shnayder

Under current discussion we consider actuality, functions, specifics and experience of realization of automated monitoring and dispatching control systems for energy consumption by residential utilities within the frame of High-priority program "Energy-saving in social sector", led by South Ural State University (national research university).

An energy efficiency monitoring and dispatch center for residential and public utilities

D.A. Shnayder

A computerized energy use monitoring and dispatch center for residential and public utilities is considered. A case study of the South Ural State University Energy conservation program is discussed.

Today, within the Federal law, dated from 11.23.2009 N 261-FЗ «Concerning energy-saving and increasing energy-efficiency index…», the problem of use of meters for energy-consumption metering in public utilities sphere is being actively solved. For instance, there are more than 1000 similar metering devices in Chelyabinsk city. The devices are used in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, educational and establishments. The next step is residential properties.

Organization of calculations, taken from registering meters, requires great deal of financial expenses, and it refers not only to the installation of the meters, but also to its operation. Indeed, if we consider the quantity of whole-house meters only, their total number will amount to tens of thousands items for Chelyabinsk city alone. The quantity of apartment meters could be even bigger. Thus, it means, that the operation of such registering devices on city-scale is nearly impossible without the automation equipment.

Another actual task for energy-saving in residential utilities sector is reliable fail-safe operation of systems and networks, quick response and elimination of emergencies, automated dispatching control and automatic regulation of energy-consumption for every object.

For the purpose of perfecting the procedure of fulfilling the main objectives within the frame of high-priority program «Energy-saving in social sector», led by South Ural State University (national research university), the pilot project of energy-efficiency automated monitoring center (EEAM) for residential utilities is being implemented, under which the automated information and measuring control system for parameters of heat, water, energy supply and lighting in the group of the South Urals State University buildings has been introduced. This system is built on the basis of «PoliTER» software and hardware complex.

The main goal of EAMC is the analysis of efficiency and regulating reduction of consumption of fuel and energy resources, minimization of breakdowns in utility networks and estimation of energy-saving potential of residential and public utilities. The development of this pilot project can lead to implementation of energy-efficiency automated monitoring situational center for residential and public utilities of Chelyabinsk city and others municipalities of Russian Federation.

In order to fulfill the aim of the current pilot project, the following problems are being solved:

• immediate access to information, concerning actual energy consumption and power resources quality indices;
• analysis of energy-efficiency of residential utilities on the basis of utilities models, normative and actual fuel and energy resources consumption data on a real time basis;
• effective control of working efficiency of registering meters and regulated consumption of fuel and energy resources, identification emergency situations;
• dispatching control and optimization of functioning modes of engineering systems and residential utilities networks on the basis of energy-efficiency;
• generation and implementation of common database of technical characteristics and operational documentation, concerning fuel and energy resources consumption.

The general structure of energy-efficiency monitoring system on city-scale comprises several levels, connected by information computer network. The structure incorporates various groups and categories of users: energy suppliers, engineering and technical and emergency services, city administration, managing companies, end consumers. In the core of this system lies the distributed system of data storage. Its components are connected by high-speed computer networks. Due to the intensity of data flow of registering devices, it is planned to use South Urals State University's super computer processing power in order to process and analyze this data.

The basics for data collection and control command shaping is automated supervisory control system (ASCS), which combines lower field level of metering and regulating devices, database server and automated user work station. In terms of functionality, the structure of ASCS is divided into subsystems of effective dispatching control and commercial record of fuel and energy resources. “PoliTER” ASCS software is used within the frame of realized project, and it has proved to be successful in various objects of Chelyabinsk city and its district.

"PoliTER" ASCS software supports open standard integrations, for instant MODBUS protocols, GOST R IEC 61107-2001, HTTP, OPC data exchange technologies. The line of supported controllers and metering devices of third party manufacturers, used in residential utilities systems, is being constantly expanded. It is possible to produce unconventional data exchange protocols in case of using rare equipment. In the core of data storage system lies a reliable scale adjustable data base control system Oracle.

The unique feature "PoliTER" ASCS software is the built-in instrument of real-time on-line-analysis. It includes control of deviations over fixed limits of all measured parameters, detection of leakages in pipelines, calculations of standard values of technological parameters (temperature charts, water flow and etc.) and energy consumption volume. The system effectively determines deviations with regard to tolerance limit, implements diagnostics of successful performance of registering devices and controllers. Moreover, the most important feature of the software is its program module "Meter ID", which allows input, storage and process of ID data, concerning house and equipment of metering unit information.

The experience of operation of automated systems of monitoring and control in utilities managing companies of Chelyabinsk city and Chelyabinsk district shows that heat power saving potential amounts to average of 20-25%, energy - 40%, operational expenses are reduce by 2 and more times.