Software

TIS/PowerNIS: Technical Information System

Public utilities (power, water, gas, ...) are more and more confronted to new operational conditions such as privatisation, free markets, increased competition, free wheeling energy, environmental considerations, budgetary restrictions, etc. Staying in business requires therefore rapid reaction to new market conditions and maximum quality of service at minimal cost. Facing these challenges calls for intelligent and efficient system operation, supported by specialised state-of-the-art Information Technology tools.

PowerNIS is a total IT solution aiming at integrated information management and processing as required for optimal operation of distribution networks.

PowerNIS - An integrated solution

Information management and processing supporting optimal operation of distribution systems is actually composed of:

A central database containing:

• Graphic data (geographic maps, network maps, schemas of substations, ...)
• Technical data: technical parameters describing the network components
• Operations data, such as measurements of flows, voltages, descriptions of service interruptions, etc.

An integrated suite of application tools

These are, on one hand, the tools necessary to enter, actualise and analyse the types of data listed above. On the other hand are the specialised calculation tools that use these data in order to produce results to support optimal decision making in network operation.

All these components are integrated in PowerNIS. They are made available on all workstation through a unique powerful user interface.

PowerNIS covers all technical data of the various types of distribution networks: power, water, gas, cable TV.

Graphic data

• Specific functions for processing various types of objects: graphical objects, topological objects, schemas of substations and network equipment,
• An object oriented organisation guarantying consistency of data,
• Hybrid representation and processing of vector data ans raster data obtained by scanning of maps,
• Specialised tools to enter and actualise graphic data using available data supports: scanning, digitalisation tablets,
• Fllexible and user-friendly interface for searching and visualisting graphic data on all workstations.

Technical data

• Object oriented data organisation ensuring proper consistency between graphical and technical data.
• Data structure and nomenclature can be customised.
• User friendly interface to enter, actualise and analyse all the information in the database.
• Open system providing for interfaces with other information systems such as SCADA, administrative and Customer applications.

Operations data

• Historical information of recorded data such as flow measurements, voltages, consumption, descriptions of service interruptions, etc.
• Data structure and nomenclature adaptable to customer specifics.
• Links with other technical, administrative or commercial databases.
• Data acquisition, actualisation and verification modules customised according to the available sources of information.

Applications

Data processing

PowerNIS offers a complete set of user-friendly functions for acquisition, actualisation and analysis of all graphical and technical data. Those functions can be adapted, if needed, to cope with specific customer organisation or procedures. In addition to pure searching and visualisation of information, PowerNIS also comprises a set of tools calculating derived information such as statistics, quality of service indices etc. These calculations can also be adapted to specific customer requirements.

Calculation programs

PowerNIS comprises a library of decision making tools to support optimal operation of distribution networks: Load Flow program, Short Circuit program, security analysis (n-1),...). All these programs access the central database to obtain the required graphical and technical data, and therefore do not need any additional data preparation effort.

PowerNIS highlights

• Modern, object-oriented, client-server information technology.
• User-friendly, intuitive and flexible Windows-oriented user interface.
• Access protection Procedures for data security.
• Integration of all graphical, technical and operations data, together with the software tools for their acquisition and maintenance and with the application programs..
• Company-wide standardisation for data and calculation procedures for all applications.

Computer platform

• Typical PC-network (LAN, Intranet)
• Windows NT
• ORACLE Database