Project
ADMS Migration
Client
Pacific Gas & Electric
Location
San Francisco, California
Project Overview
The SCADA to ADMS Migration project at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) aimed to modernize the utility's power distribution network by transitioning from the legacy RTSCADA system to the advanced Schneider EcoStruxure ADMS platform. This migration was part of a broader Grid Modernization effort to improve grid operations and resiliency. The project involved planning, testing, and transferring control of approximately 20,000 devices to the new system, enhancing real-time monitoring and control capabilities.
Layline's Role
Layline Automation played a crucial role in the ADMS migration project by assembling a team of experts, including systems architects, software developers, and SCADA engineers. We developed an innovative automated process to convert existing data from the legacy RTSCADA system into a format compatible with the new ADMS. This included using Python scripts and C# applications to transfer data, standardize signal naming, and create import files for the ADMS, ensuring a smooth and efficient migration.
Challenges
The migration faced significant challenges, including integrating approximately 20,000 devices into the new ADMS framework. The device definitions in the legacy system lacked uniform standards, requiring standardization prior to import into the Schneider system. Additionally, specific attributes not needed in the old system, such as phasing and signal type had to be added to the device definitions. Some devices were involved in both distribution and transmission operations, complicating their integration. Ensuring uninterrupted operations and data flow during the multi-year migration process was also a critical challenge.
Solution
The automated process developed to convert data from the legacy RTSCADA system into a format compatible with the EcoStruxure ADMS was key to the project. This involved gathering 270 RTSCADA Database files nightly, transferring them to a central location and importing them into a single MSSQL database. An application was then developed to operate against this centralized data. The application had specific rules that guided the expansion of RTSCADA points into 40+ attributes per signal, as well as standardizing signal naming for ADMS import. Layline also developed a method to automatically create virtual RTU devices for polling from ADMS via the RTSCADA system, ensuring continuous functionality and operation during the migration. This comprehensive and automated approach facilitated a smooth transition and significantly improved operational efficiency and accuracy for PG&E.
