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Attend the Remote 2009 Conference & Expo
Managers of mission critical infrastructure assets face challenges greater than ever before. That is why the Remote 2009 Conference & Expo has packed its technical program full of sessions on finding real solutions for your organization’s needs. Do more with less as you learn about cutting edge technology for remote monitoring systems, SCADA, sites and networks, cyber and physical security, and onsite powering of automated and distributed equipment.
This event occurs only once each year and features the latest in world-class technology for infrastructure managers in utilities, water/wastewater, oil & gas, pipelines, ports and site management. Along with the educational sessions, Remote 2009 features an exhibit hall packed with technology leaders in SCADA, asset monitoring and control, satellite communications, remote network solutions, onsite and back up power, and mission critical wireless solutions.
Remote 2009 Conference & Expo
October 29th-30th, 2009
Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas www.RemoteExpo.com
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
So You Think You Are Secure? You Might Not Be Jim Libersky, VP Sales & Marketing, The Barrier Group/Barrier1
Everyone has a Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, encryption, VPN, and other individual network security solutions in place. In fact, business spends $5+ billion dollars a year protecting computer networks. So, with all of that money spent why are hackers still getting in?
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 3 key state-of-the-art technologies combined in a single compact housing:
1) Battery-power supply that provides up to 10 year battery life
Robust wireless technology to transmit and receive mission-critical data up to 3 miles
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.
Wafer-Cone Flow Meter Offers Accuracy for Natural Gas Small Line Wellhead Measurement
McCrometer has released its new Wafer-Cone flow meter that provides accuracy, versatility and low maintenance in the smaller line sizes utilized for natural gas wells. Unlike flow meters that require a straight pipe run of 10 or more diameters upstream from the meter and 0-5 diameters downstream, the Wafer-Cone is designed in such a way that only 1-3 upstream diameters and 0-1 downstream diameters of straight-run are necessary. The Wafer-Cone preconditions the flow profile to pass the cone in a uniform pattern, leading to precise gas flow readings without long straight pipe runs.
McCrometer’s advanced Wafer-Cone flow meter relies on differential pressure sensing technology. Its DP flow sensing technology is actually designed with built-in flow conditioning to achieve an accuracy of +1.0 percent, with a repeatability of +0.1 percent. It operates over a flow range of 10:1. The Wafer-Cone is designed for gas or liquid service in line sizes from 1 to 6 inches, making it well suited for natural gas wellheads, small process lines and other plant infrastructure tasks.
The Wafer-Cone conditions fluid flow to provide a stable flow profile that increases accuracy. The flow sensor‘s design features a centrally-located cone inside a tube, which interacts with the fluid flow and reshapes the velocity profile to create a lower pressure region immediately downstream.
The pressure difference, which is exhibited between the static line pressure and the low pressure created downstream of the cone, can be measured via two pressure sensing taps. One tap is placed slightly upstream of the cone and the other is located downstream of the cone. The pressure difference can then be incorporated into a derivation of the Bernoulli equation to determine the fluid flow rate.
The cone’s central position in the line optimizes the velocity of the liquid flow at the point of measurement and forms very short vortices as the flow passes the cone. These short vortices create a low amplitude, high frequency signal for excellent signal stability, resulting in a stable flow profile that is repeatable for continuous accurate measurement.
Capstone Metering Launches IntelliH2O Water Meter
Capstone Metering, LLC has launched the IntelliH2O water meter, the first intelligent water meter for residential use. This technology brings value to global water industries by effectively managing, controlling and conserving water.
The IntelliH2O features two way remote communication that eliminates hand-held or drive-by water meter readings, which saves utility companies money and manpower while reducing greenhouse emissions. This is possible with wireless networking communication that integrates the meter into the smart grid and allows homeowners to manage their water consumption. Remote turn-on and shut-off also allows the utility to shut-off a meter when a leak occurs. This provides better security and control for unknown chemicals or contaminants introduced into the water system.
The IntelliH2O is self calibrating and generates its own power. The self-calibration allows utilities to accurately measure water usage while providing them with higher revenues and the ability to save water. Self-generating power eliminates the need for routine battery replacement and provides longer meter functionality.
AutoLog WSN Radio Modems from FF Automation Provide Maximum Coverage
FF-Automation has released the AutoLog WSN radio modem series that offers a high specification data radio modem which is well suited for stand alone wireless data applications or for integration into OEM products. A discrete component RF stage is used to give better performance than would be possible using the simpler "single chip" solutions found in many other low cost designs.
VHF (138 MHz to 225 MHz), UHF (406 MHz to 512 MHz) and 869 MHz (863 MHz to 870 MHz) versions of the AutoLog WSN are available for simplex or half-duplex operation. Applications include oil and gas (complicated narrow band SCADA networks), command and control, data logging, metering, SCADA, radio telemetry, remote switching or any similar applications where serial data needs to be transmitted reliably by wireless means. Through the use of advanced DSP technology, the AutoLog WSN data radio has been optimized for reliability and low current consumption, making it particularly suitable for operation on remote sites without mains power.
The WSN radio data modem can operate transparently without packetizing the data and without adding any other overheads, thereby maximizing data throughput rates. Data is simply transmitted and received with minimal delay. Alternatively, a simple packetization option can be enabled for use with old or non tolerant protocols, where the presence of a mute (squelch) tail may cause a problem at the end of a message.
Store and forward repeater operation is possible by programming a routing table into the WSN radio at the master-station site. Routing is based on the protocol address within the message to be transmitted and the WSN currently supports repeater operation with MODBUS protocol and a number of other similar protocols where the address byte is in a known position within the message.
Cermetek Launches its Lowest Cost Embedded Modem Module
Cermetek Microelectronics, Inc. has announced the CH1724, its least expensive modem module. Cermetek achieved low cost by careful design for manufacturing efficiency, without compromising features. The CH1724 targets process control, access security, telemedicine, and remote data acquisition applications.
To suit this variety of applications requires a full-featured 2,400 bps modem, meaning Cermetek could not eliminate features to save cost. The CH1724 is a complete modem with FCC Part 68 Registration conveyed with no required external circuitry. Error correction ensures accurate transactions and the Fast Connect algorithm completes short messages quickly. The line status monitor feature prevents interference with voice calls when the modem shares the telephone line with a telephone handset.
The small size of the CH1724 keeps cost down and expands the versatility of the modem. A tiny modem, the CH1724 measures 1.6 inches by 0.8 inches and is only 0.22 inches high. This small size and leadless surface-mount attachment maximizes space utilization in the embedded system design. The designer can place the modem in its optimum position without compromise.
SEL Announces Intuitive Solutions for Grid Security
As a new part of its solutions to help make the electric power grid smarter and less vulnerable to attack, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) has introduced its SEL-3620 Ethernet Security Gateway. This new product protects site-to-site Ethernet communications as well as private networks, allowing users to maximize the benefits of a smart grid while minimizing security risk. Easy to use and tough enough for harsh environments, the SEL-3620 operates with existing IT and control systems, using a menu-driven Web interface.
SEL designed and built the Ethernet security gateway as part of a research project with the US Department of Energy (DOE), Tennessee Valley Authority and Sandia National Laboratories, among other partners.
Another element of SEL’s smart grid security solutions is the SEL-3021 serial encrypting transceiver. It protects point-to-point and multidrop data links from attacks and eavesdropping, with advanced encryption validated to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2. For wireless applications, the SEL-3022 wireless encrypting transceiver creates a cryptographically secure wireless link between a computer and remote IED serial communications port.
Sixnet and Tessco Technologies Announce Distribution Alliance
Sixnet, LLC has announced its products and solutions are now available through Tessco Technologies, Inc. distribution channels. TESSCO is a value-added provider of the product and supply chain solutions needed to design, build, run, maintain and use wireless systems.
TESSCO's customers can take advantage of solutions for industrial remote monitoring and control systems including wireless, cellular modems designed to provide simple and reliable communication and to enable M2M intelligent wireless data solutions, as well as a portfolio of industrial Ethernet switches that connect to any Ethernet device and provide the reliability and other critical features.
"This is an important announcement for Tessco as we broaden and enhance our M2M and industrial automation offering. We expect our relationship with Sixnet to further strengthen our position in the energy and transportation markets," said Jerry Garland, senior vice president of solutions development and product management, Tessco. "The addition of these products to our product portfolio will help us continue to solidify our position as a vital link to a wireless world and a total source provider of the solutions and services that make wireless work."
Washington State Public Utility Selects TWACS Power-Line Communications Technology
The Okanogan County Public Utility District (PUD), which has served the largest county in Washington State for more than 60 years, recently began a two-year advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project to deploy the Aclara Two-Way Automatic Communications System (TWACS). The PUD will use the system to collect interval data from 22,000 electric meters, perform outage management and do engineering analysis.
Okanogan County PUD shares a substation with Okanogan Electric Cooperative, a TWACS technology customer that serves about 3,000 customers. The cooperative’s positive experience with TWACS technology was also a factor in the PUD’s decision.
The primary reason the PUD moved to AMI was to move from bi-monthly to monthly billing, which will improve the utilities cash flow and prevent the large two-month winter bills for customers as well as eliminate estimated reads.
TWACS technology will read meters remotely by communicating over power lines and the fiber-optic network that was developed by the PUD to provide high-speed telecommunications to its customers. In addition to providing regular meter reading, the system will offer immediate access to information about loads, voltages, meter tampering and outages.
Okanogan is using TWACS PROasys software to pinpoint the extent of outages. The software works by signaling meters to determine which ones are working. The utility also will use iVUE software from the National Information Solutions Cooperative to help map the location of outages as well as to dispatch repair crews.
Utilizing TWACS’ interval-data collection capability, each customer meter will be checked periodically for outages, which allows the utility to immediately identify meters that have stopped working, rather than waiting to find them when the meter is physically read. In addition, the system will provide customer service representatives with information that will allow them to better handle customer inquiries. TWACS technology also will make it easier for the utility to switch accounts from one person to another.
Lockheed Martin and Black & Veatch Team up to Help Utilities Upgrade Energy Grid
Lockheed Martin and Black & Veatch have teamed to help utility clients improve the reliability, efficiency and interoperability of the electric power grid and protect it against cyber attacks. Together, the companies offer a suite of integrated technology and communication solutions to help utilities shape projects and request grants being offered by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant Program.
The Smart Grid Investment Grant Program is part of the DOE’s Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Recovery Plan, which has been allocated $4.5 billion to support the modernization of the electric grid. The companies have supported several first-round applications, and are well-positioned to continue assisting other DOE funding applications.
Black & Veatch and Lockheed Martin will focus on supporting DOE applicants’ Smart Grid initiatives for advanced metering infrastructure, substation and distribution automation, SCADA, distribution management systems and demand response projects, especially in the areas of interoperability and cyber security. Collectively, the two companies have the unique understanding of the necessary advanced communications infrastructure, electrical technology, cyber security measures and IT solutions to design and implement an efficient, reliable and sustainable utility operation.
Comit Systems and GreenPeak Team up to Provide Customized Wireless Mesh Networks
Comit Systems, Inc. has started a strategic cooperative relationship with GreenPeak Technologies to deliver customized low-cost, ultra low power wireless mesh network solutions utilizing GreenPeak’s technology. Comit Systems will deliver turnkey engineering services for integration of GreenPeak’s technology, working with end users to identify the system architecture that will deliver the best results with the lowest total cost of ownership.
With the growing importance of ZigBee as a standard for networks, this partnership allows utilities and other industries to quickly and cost-effectively install wireless sensor networks to improve their energy demand response and consumption tracking. A contributing member of the ZigBee Alliance, GreenPeak’s technology utilizes energy harvesting to facilitate battery-free operation in a totally wireless environment, without the need for either communications or power connectivity. Comit has the systems design expertise to deliver a network solution utilizing GreenPeak’s technology that co-exists with legacy networks.
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.
Stimulus funding, public/private partnerships and direct investment have ignited the smart energy sector. Both state and federal regulators are pushing through legislation that will enhance the green economy, the fastest growing industry forecast over the next five years. The myriad smart grid projects and AMI deployments are testimony to an industry that is moving faster than it has ever done before. But where do you begin to even get a grasp on the size and scale of these efforts?
Smart Energy East Coast, the only executive forum for stakeholders committed to developing energy efficiency programs supported by smart metering and smart grid initiatives. By bringing together utilities, energy regulators, technology vendors, proponents of smart buildings, and other industry experts, this exclusive event will validate the future of smart energy practices in the region.
Join than 18,000 attendees from 75 countries in Las Vegas, NV, December 8-10, 2009, for POWER-GEN International, the world’s largest power generation event.
Offering an in-depth curriculum of 14 Competitive Power College pre-conference courses covering a range of topics from beginner to advanced, Mega-Sessions, technical tours to Las Vegas-area power plants, roundtable Networking Breakfasts plus other great networking opportunities.
Featuring the world’s largest industry exhibit floor with more than 1,200 exhibiting companies from around the world, POWER-GEN International is the platform for new product launches and unveilings—a showcase for products and services such as boilers, turbines, engines, boiler water and feedwater treatment services, computer hardware and software, controls and instrumentation systems, engineering and construction services, generators, plant electrical systems, pumps, valves and valve actuators, and more. www.power-gen.com
The NATE 2010 Conference & Exposition will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida on February 15-18, 2010. For more information www.natehome.com or tel: 888-882-5865 (U.S.) or 605-882-5865
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