eNewsletter

May 2009

Integrated Data Acquisition and Control Trends in Oil and Gas Pipelines
Robert Jackson, National Instruments

Discovering and extracting oil is becoming increasingly challenging, and technology is rapidly evolving so engineers can better address the challenges of drilling, transporting and producing oil. Currently, two important trends are occurring: PC-based data acquisition and PLC-based control systems are merging, resulting in hardware systems commonly referred to as programmable automation controllers (PACs), and new graphical system design software languages are allowing control engineers to target real-time operating systems and embedded hardware. 

Continue this Article in PDF format HERE

The Evolution of Remote Product Service and the Emergence of Smart Services
In the current economy, service excellence is not solely measured on the grounds of operational metrics such as mean time to repair and first-time fix. Today's service organization achieves Best-in-Class status on the grounds of profitability generated through cost control, customer retention, and revenue creation. These objectives have not only led to the increased adoption of Remote Product Service (RPS) or remote device management tools, but have also facilitated evolutionary uses of the technology class. RPS tools are no longer just considered to be the enablers of service delivery efficiency and predictive service, but also as the facilitators of intelligence-based smart services. Benchmark data indicates that firms have slashed nearly one-half million dollars of service costs and added an average of $1million in service revenues from the adoption and use of RPS tools.

Download a copy of the new Aberdeen report to unearth some of the Best Practices leveraged by leading companies in the fields of service and asset management. This complimentary copy is available exclusive to readers of Remote Site and Equipment for a limited time.

Click HERE to download your complimentary copy

Banner DX99: Battery-Powered, Intrinsically Safe Wireless Transceiver

Collect analog, digital and temperature information in hazardous areas with Banner DX99 FlexPower Nodes - a combination of wireless RF communication, battery technology and intrinsically safe electronics.

The DX99 Battery-Powered Node is a revolutionary combination of three key state-of-the-art technologies combined in a single compact housing:
1) Battery-power supply that provides up to 10 year battery life
2) Robust wireless technology to transmit and receive mission-critical data up to 3 miles
3) Intrinsically safe operation that provides a cost-effective method of data collection, monitoring and transmission in hazardous classified locations

Technical Points of the DX99:

• Available in rugged polycarbonate or metal housing; both are intrinsically safe and rated IP67
• Polycarbonate housing models certified for use in Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, D; Class I, Zone 0, Group IIC; and Group IIC, Zone 0
• Metal housing models certified for use in Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, D; Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, G; Class III, Division 1; Class I, Zone 0, Group IIC; Group IIC, Zone 0; and Dust, Zone 20
• DX99 FlexPower Nodes provide intrinsically-safe power for 4-20mA and Namur sensors
• Input types include RTD, thermocouple, 4-20mA, 0-10V dc and discrete

About Banner. Banner Engineering is the world’s leading manufacturer of wireless networks, photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, vision sensors, electronic machine guarding systems, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.

Learn more at: www.bannerengineering.com/DX99is

ICP DAS USA Debuts uPAC-7186EX-FD and uPAC-7186EX-FD-X305B 
ICP DAS USA has released its uPAC-7186EX-FD micro programmable automation controller. uPAC comes equipped with a 80 MHz CPU, 64 MB of flash memory (10^5 erase/write cycles), one 10/100 Base T Ethernet port and three serial ports. It communicates well with networks because it supports a variety of TCP/IP features.

All of its processing and memory capability make the unit well suited for both data logging and a range of control applications from the plant floor to the space age lab including equipment testing, water treatment and machine control. With its built-in RS 485 the uPAC unit communicates with up to 255 remote I/O modules.

The architecture of the controller is optimized for low power consumption, which allows integration with solar powered systems. The device is ready for action with a fast-booting operating system called MiniOS7, and its combination of computing strength, port variety and design allows it to strike a balance between thrifty specification and adaptive versatility.

Added capacities come with an expansion board (included in the X305B version), allowing for both numerical control and data acquisition in a single machine. It is designed for rugged industrial environments being both structurally robust and capable of withstanding temperatures between -25°C to 75°C. The micro controller is ROHS compliant and meets environmental standards.

Data Flow Systems' Symphony SCADA Technique Slashes Energy Consumption
Data Flow Systems has introduced Symphony Harmonious Pump and Flow Management, a patent-pending technology, to their selection of SCADA features. Symphony uses SCADA to coordinate the activities of wastewater pump stations operating on a common force main.  Symphony replaces pump stations' random controls with an elegant synchronization scheme that prevents pump stations from working against each other.

Typically, pump stations operate arbitrarily, on the basis of local controls. That is, when the wet well reaches a certain level, the pumps are engaged. Therefore, since most collection systems experience several daily flow peaks, it is not unusual for many pump stations to operate simultaneously. As a result of increased main pressures, pumps work harder and take longer to complete their pump-down cycles, resulting in increased energy consumption and more wear and tear on the pumps.

Symphony manipulates pump stations into an orderly progression that coordinates their operations. This results in a reduction in force main pressures. When pumps are not fighting high head pressures, they accomplish their jobs more quickly and operate at maximum efficiency.  Pump run times can reduce by as much as 34 percent, extending pump life, reducing wear and tear and cutting maintenance costs. Pump power consumptions can also be lowered by up to 42 percent. 

Symphony can also help level the extreme peaks in a collection system's diurnal flows. The process effectively expands the collection system's capacity and allows the wastewater treatment plant to deal with a steadier, more regular inflow, which favors the biological treatment process.  When peak inflows are controlled, the risk of head works overflows is reduced and the need for peak surge storage structures is delayed or eliminated.

New “Turbo” Serial-Over-IP Converter Supports Teleprotection in Power Utilities  
Typically about four times faster than a standard serial-over-IP converter, the new eight-port Turbo-Serial Converter from TC Communications is specially designed to meet stringent real time requirements for protective relay communications in the power utility industry.

The model TC3847-3 “Turbo” serial-to-IP converter performs at less than three msec. latency, end-to-end, through a Layer 2/3 Ethernet network. This extremely low latency is tested through the Mirror-Bit protocol of SEL relays, but is generally transparent to any protocol used in protective relays. It transports four channels of RS-232 and four channels of RS-422/RS-485 data and is available as an interface card for the JumboSwitch, TC Communication’s industrial gigabit modular Ethernet switch.

Key features include QoS, VLAN, traffic monitoring and statistics, network time server, remote firmware upgrade, temperature and power consumption monitoring. Power supply options are 12 VDC, 24 VDC, -48 VDC or 115/230 VAC.  Standard operating temperature is -20°C to 70°C and the extreme temperature version is -40°C to 80°C. Typical applications include extending RS-232/RS-422/ RS-485 signals from one protection relay to another across Layer 2/Layer 3 Ethernet Networks. 

The JumboSwitch provides hot-swappable universal interface card slots for modular interfaces to convert voice, T1/E1 or Primary ISDN circuits and serial data, with IP PBX, near-Stratum II clock precision and demanding Teleprotection speeds.  It is also an economical and future-proof alternative to SONET/SDH.

ReliOn’s New Eco-200T Offers Smaller Clean Power Solution 
ReliOn has released a new product in its portfolio, the Eco-200T.  The Eco-200T fuel cell system is designed around ReliOn's patented technology and provides power for smaller scale power applications. The product is a compact complete fuel cell system housed in a 2U rack-mountable package. 

Emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water, and the Eco-200T is exempt from the most stringent air quality standards, such as those set by the California Air Resources Board.  Designed to be an economical small scale backup power solution, the Eco-200T can affordably provide hundreds of hours of runtime and many years of service for critical equipment. The product will be commercially available in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The Eco-200T joins ReliOn's current product line, which provide backup power solutions between 500 W and 12 kW. The company has delivered more than 2 megawatts of product at over 600 commercial customer sites in 18 countries. While many of ReliOn's customers are wireless telecommunication providers, the company also serves markets including wireline telecommunications, government, security and utility communications and transportation networks.

ReliOn products can be used for backup power and site hardening in both traditional configurations and as part of a clean technology system integrated with solar and wind power.

Colby Systems Releases New Cellular Security Cameras 
Colby Systems Corp. has released a new product line of low cost cellular security cameras that detect human motion, takes a photo and sends it through the cell system to the owner's cell phone and/or email address. These units start at under $400 and have no monthly monitoring fee like you have with security systems such as ADT.

The cameras are available in four versions: the standard version, (model LXW), a low cost version (Model LXWL), a covert tamper proof version, (Model LXBT) and a covert tamper proof/water proof version (Model LXBTO). The camera line requires no wires to hook up and sends photos through the cellular system. To configure the unit, users simply insert a cellular sim card that they get at a local cell provider. Once setup, users need only to disegnate what number the camera will call when it detects motion and the unit will send the photos to that number. As long as it detects motion, it keeps taking pictures and sending them to your cell phone. Users can also call it up and have it take pictures without anyone near the camera.

All four models feature IR LEDs that illuminate the secure area. There are several versions of the unit including a waterproof unit for mounting out doors and two covert units that do not look like a camera.

One big advantage of these units is if you have more than two or three false alarms, the police department will not respond unless you tell them to. The Colby Cell Cams also do not require a high speed internet connection of AC power, so if an intruder cut either the system will still work for 14 hours via an internal battery. There is also a solar power option for more remote locations.

New HART Test System Plays Key Role in Ensuring Device Interoperability of Wired and Wireless HART Devices 
The new HART test system  recently released by the HART Communication Foundation plays a key role in ensuring device interoperability of both wired and wireless HART-enabled devices. The system automates device testing and verifies compliance to all revisions of the HART Protocol standard.
 
“The HART test system is an integral part in the HART Device Registration program. The system helps to assure the interoperability of devices produced to the HART standard regardless of the device manufacturer. So, users can buy with confidence a device that is HART registered, knowing it will work with the devices already installed in their plant,” said Ed Ladd, HCF director of Technology Programs.  
 
The HART test system has the capability to work with wired HART devices or through WirelessHART gateways that support the standardized HART UDP interface. The new system is a complete testing tool produced on the Linux operating system that includes the test automation, application layer and analysis software for the verification of a device’s conformance to the HART Communication standard.

Landis+Gyr Signs Advanced Metering Contract with PHI
Landis+Gyr, has announced a contract with Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) to supply the major portion of the smart meters for use in the deployment of PHI’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in the state of Delaware, with flexibility to expand usage of the smart meters in other areas of PHI’s service territory.

Under the agreement, the Washington D.C. based utility plans to deploy the technology-rich Landis+Gyr FOCUS family of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meters for residential, industrial and commercial customers throughout Delaware. Smart metering solutions provide a two-way flow of data between customer meters and utility back-end systems. With this two-way data flow, utilities will be able to offer customers a broad array of new pricing, demand response and energy automation options that enhance the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid. 

Landis+Gyr’s electric meter contract is part of PHI’s smart meter rollout which is designed to first bring advanced metering technology to its entire Delaware customer base. Regulatory approval has already been secured. PHI is also currently undergoing regulatory review for further AMI deployment in Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. Landis+Gyr will work on this project with partner Silver Spring Networks, provider of the communications solution. Smart meters typically account for a significant portion of the total cost of a typical AMI rollout.

Deloitte and Axeda Form Alliance to Deliver Asset Intelligence Platform 
Deloitte and Axeda have formed a strategic alliance agreement to provide services and a total end-to-end solution to help organizations create the ability to connect with any asset, anywhere into the enterprise through a highly scalable asset intelligence platform for fixed and mobile assets.

Organizations will use Deloitte's Live Intelligence Platform to connect assets into a single unified solution as opposed to the piecemeal point solutions approach. By combining Deloitte's systems development consulting capabilities and deep knowledge of enterprise demand, strategic application and full enterprise integration, with Axeda's on-demand remote service software, this alliance will deliver capabilities to help organizations across all industry sectors in their efforts to unlock value.

A patchwork of point solutions for asset connectivity can contribute to operational inefficiencies and adoption roadblocks. It can also make them difficult to use and expensive to manage. As such, Deloitte and Axeda see a high demand for a neutral and unifying platform solution for distributed asset intelligence.

Globecomm Systems Awarded Service Contract Valued at up to $6 Million
Globecomm Systems, Inc. was awarded a contract by a global services contractor in support of the missions of various US government agencies valued at up to $6 million. Globecomm will provide satellite based Internet and voice services to support various locations. The contract term covers the remainder of calendar year 2009 valued at approximately $2 million, with two customer option years valued at approximately $4 million. Installations are expected to begin in the company’s fourth quarter ending June 30, 2009.
“This project will utilize Globecomm’s teleports in New York and in Maryland in tandem to satisfy both the satellite and terrestrial requirements of the project, and leverage our comprehensive lifecycle support capabilities to install and maintain the network,” said Tom Fullerton, senior director, Sales Technical Solutions. 

Operon Systems Partners with Kepware as Their Primary Supplier Of Plant Floor Device Connectivity
Kepware Technologies has been selected as the primary supplier of communications between Operon Systems “Red Hawk” data collection and manufacturing productivity monitoring solutions and devices (PLCs, I/O and other plant floor controllers).

Operon Systems is a part of the Dunsirn Partners, LLC portfolio of companies. Started and based out of Appleton, Wisc., Operon Systems has been manufacturing and selling RedHawk to manufacturing companies looking to increase the productivity of its current operations since 2003. Kepware’s KEPServerEX solution offers Operon Systems all the connectivity they require, for data collection from the manufacturing plant floor.

“Operon Systems has identified a valuable niche that they will excel in with their product portfolio and they have focused on a partnership with Kepware to deliver the device communications they needed under the core competency that they deliver,” said Roy Kok, VP of sales and marketing, Kepware Technologies. “Our joint customers can install these solutions with the knowledge that Operon Systems and Kepware will work together to deliver a leading and supported end to end solution, even though we are two separate companies.”

Remote 2009 Conference & Expo IEC 61850/61400-25, DNP3 Workshop
The reality of the world-wide retiring process of the most valuable assets (the senior engineers in the utilities), the aging systems, the companies tightening budgets and lowering sales expectations - could bring some great opportunities for everyone involved in information management of local and remote devices and processes. Less people means less proprietary solutions could be supported. This is the time for a single, internationally standardized and accepted solution: IEC 61850.

In this comprehensive two-day workshop students learn the fundamental concepts and vision of the IEC 61850 standard series. Students compare traditional solutions like DNP3 and the new OPC UA to IEC 61850 and discuss the strength each method offers. All the IEC 61850 standards, their extensions, and many application domains are briefly discussed and the class delves into IEC 61850 real-time and client/server solutions.

Added Attendee Benefits:
Attendees will also receive access to Remote 2009 Conference & Expo morning keynote sessions, networking breaks, lunches, cocktail reception, and the show's expo hall.  

Learn More HERE

May 2009
4-6, OMAC/WBF 2009, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Contact www.wbf.org

4-7, Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Houston, Texas. Contact www.otcnet.org

10-13, BICSI Spring, Baltimore, MD. Contact www.bicsi.org

11-12, 2nd Annaul Europe Upstream, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Contact http://petro21.com

11-13, T&D Summit EMEA, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Contact www.td-summit.com

12-14, Electric Power Conference & Expo, Chicago, Ill. Contact www.electricpowerexpo.com

17-19, MCAA Industry Forum, Orlando, Fla. Contact www.measure.org

17-21, Interop, Las Vegas, Contact www.interop.com

19-20, Revolutionizing the Smart Grid, San Deigo, Calif. Contact www.gridwise.org

ISCe 2009
SATCOM for Security – Recovery – Victory
June 2–4, 2009
San Diego, Calif.

ISCe'09 focuses on SATCOM solutions for homeland security, disaster recovery, and support for warfighters in the pursuit of victory.  ISCe'09 gives attendees unprecedented access to key military and civil agency decision makers. Keynote speakers include Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré (Ret), former commander of the Joint Task Force Katrina, and the Honorable Matthew Bettenhausen, Acting Cabinet Secretary, California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), as well as many senior Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy officers. ISCe '09 is a must-attend event for every branch of the military as well as civil emergency managers and the agencies defending security at home. Panels provide insight on new SATCOM and related technologies, current and advanced MILSATCOM systems, and the Obama administration's priorities for addressing the threats facing the nation, giving attendees a running start on the changes in Washington and around the globe. ISCe '09 kicks off with two cutting-edge workshops: Communications for Disaster Relief and Emergency Management (from the International Association on Emergency Management), and Satellite Technology and Networks (presented by UCLA Extension and ATSI). Returning to ISCe on the last day is the 3rd Annual Navy Commercial SATCOM Workshop (organized by the US Navy/SPAWAR and the Satellite Industry Association).

Connectivity Week
June 8-11, 2009
Santa Clara, Ca.

As we enter a new era in the 21st century,  an era of change and action upon a background of challenging economic times around the world,  the need for efficiency has never been so critical. As the challenges of energy supply are now realized as a major factor in world economics,  politics and security,  the control and managewment of energy sourcing,  transmission and consumption become the subjects that are prime for Information Technology.

Please link to www.ConnectivityWeek.com

West Coast Energy Management Congress – EMC
June 10-11, 2009
Long Beach, Ca.

The Association of Energy Engineers is proud to present the largest energy conference and technology expo held in the west coast specifically for business, industrial, governmental, and institutional energy users. The West Coast Energy Management Congress 2009 is designed to help end users, business leaders, and energy managers find solutions to control their energy costs, improve power reliability, upgrade existing systems and equipment, explore renewable energy options, and leverage financing and performance contracting options to implement new and retrofit projects. At the West Coast EMC 2009 you can explore an array of technologies showcased in the expo hall by leading companies and talk with experts face to face to discuss your unique application needs. The concurrent multi-track conference and lineup of seminars offer you an unparalleled training opportunity to stay current on industry trends and to enhance your skill knowledge base.

Featured topics this year include:• Strategic Energy Planning • Landfill • Cogeneration • Profiting from Energy Management • Geothermal •Energy Efficient Buildings • Solar • Absorption Chillers. This year, we have added a lineup of complimentary workshops held on the expo floor to help attendees further explore real-world case studies, success stories, energy and facilities management strategies, and more.

View complete details at www.energyevent.com

American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference & Exposition
June 14-18
San Diego, Calif.

Register now for the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE09) in San Diego, CA – June 14-18 at the San Diego Convention Center. ACE09 will feature 17 interactive workshops and more than 100 technical sessions, most offering CEUs. Tuesday, June 16 is Operators’ Day at ACE09 and includes full access to technical sessions and the exhibit hall for a special discounted rate for water or wastewater operators. AWWA will also be offering two of its certificate programs at ACE09—Public Officials and High-Tech Operator. Get a hands-on understanding of new products and solutions offered by more than 500 exhibiting companies.

Visit www.awwa.org/ace09 for more information and to register for the conference.

6th Annual Remote Device Monitoring & Management Summit
June 22-24, 2009
Boston, MA

The 6th Annual Remote Device Monitoring & Management Summit is taking place June 22-24, 2009 in Boston, MA. With the status of the current economy, we know that you are facing even greater demands to increase customer satisfaction, service delivery and increased sales performance. The good news however, is that Remote Device Monitoring is continuing to bring about increased opportunity despite a very difficult economic environment. To capitalize on the many benefits including: a strong ROI, enhanced product offerings, greater customer satisfaction and loyalty, and environmentally sound opportunities, you need to know how to optimize processes in order to extract the largest value that will deliver the greatest benefit to your overall organization.

Let the 6th Annual Remote Device Monitoring & Management Summit help you reach your key performance indicators for success.

Autovation 2009: The International Smart Metering Conference and Exposition
September 13-16, 2009
Denver, Colorado

Don't miss Autovation 2009 - the only major industry conference dedicated exclusively to smart metering technologies. Learn from gas, water and electric utility professionals how to efficiently and cost-effectively deploy the latest innovative technologies. Autovation® provides outstanding educational content, networking opportunities and access to leading manufacturers and services relevant to all cross-functional areas of the utility industry. Visit www.utilimetrics.org for more information.

Autovation is sponsored by Utilimetrics, the association for smart metering and innovative technologies.  Its more than 1400 members represent hundreds of utilities and corporations in gas, water and electric industries around the world.  Find out more at www.utilimetrics.org 

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