Grid Automation

Acelerex REX DAS software ensures reliable data acquisition and processing, enabling efficient monitoring and control of your grid operations. Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) are critical for collecting, processing, and transmitting data from various sources within an energy management infrastructure. These systems ensure that accurate and reliable data is available for monitoring, control, and decision-making processes.

Key components of the REX™ DAS include:

• Made in the USA
• Private Network Human Machine Interface (HMI)
• Local Human Machine Interface (HMI)
• Real-time Private Network & Local Database
• Multi-site Controller
• Digital Twin
• User-defined data policies
• API Endpoints
• Point reconnection  
• Aging Policy 
• Observability 
• At least once delivery 
• VPN 
• Down-sampling 
• Communication Protocols 
• Compression 
• Encryption 
• Authentic
• Custom Reporting

Sample Use Case: Enhancing Data Integrity and Security in a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS)

Scenario: A utility company is managing a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) that includes multiple renewable energy sites, substations, and battery storage systems. The company needs to ensure the integrity, security, and reliability of the data collected from these sites for effective grid management and compliance reporting.

Solution Implementation:

1. Point Reconnection is used to automatically restore communication with any data points that lose connection. For example, if a sensor at a remote wind farm loses connectivity, the system will automatically attempt to reconnect, ensuring that data collection resumes without manual intervention.
2. A Real-Time Database is deployed to store the continuous stream of data coming from various sensors and devices across the DERMS. This enables immediate access to real-time data for monitoring grid conditions and making timely operational decisions.
3. The Aging Policy is configured to manage data storage efficiently. For instance, real-time operational data is kept for a limited period before being archived, while critical historical data needed for compliance or long-term analysis is retained longer.
4. Observability tools are implemented to monitor the health and performance of the data acquisition system. These tools allow operators to detect and resolve issues quickly, such as identifying and troubleshooting data dropouts or communication failures.
5. At Least Once Delivery is utilized to ensure that critical data, such as power output readings or grid frequency measurements, is delivered to the central system at least once, even in cases of network disruptions, preventing data loss.
6. VPN is employed to secure data transmission between remote sites and the central system. This ensures that sensitive operational data, such as control commands and performance metrics, is protected from unauthorized access during transmission.
7. Down-Sampling is applied to less critical data points, such as ambient temperature measurements at solar farms, reducing the frequency of data collection and transmission to conserve bandwidth and storage, while still providing sufficient information for analysis.
8. Communication Protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, or IEC 61850 are used to standardize data exchange between different devices and systems within the DERMS. This ensures that data from various manufacturers’ equipment is compatible and can be integrated into the system seamlessly.
9. Compression techniques are applied to reduce the size of data packets before transmission. This is particularly important for high-volume data streams, such as real-time video feeds from substation security cameras or high-frequency power quality measurements.
10. Encryption is used to secure all data at rest and in transit, ensuring that only authorized parties can access or interpret the data. This protects against data breaches and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
11. Authentication mechanisms are enforced to verify the identity of all devices and users accessing the data acquisition system. This prevents unauthorized access and ensures that only trusted devices and personnel can interact with the system.

By implementing these components, the utility company can ensure that its data acquisition system operates securely, efficiently, and reliably, supporting the effective management of distributed energy resources and maintaining grid stability.

Enhance your grid automation and Data Acquisition System with Acelerex. Contact us today to see how our cutting-edge software can optimize your operations.