Project
RTU Reconfiguration
Client
National Grid
Location
Waltham, MA
Project Overview
National Grid initiated a grid modernization program to achieve NERC compliance by separating transmission and distribution operations within their Operational Technology (OT) systems. This initiative involved segregating their Energy Management System (EMS) and Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) telemetry at the RTU level to maintain distinct data paths for each. The project covered approximately 200 GE D20 and ACS NTX RTUs, integrating serial and Ethernet communication paths, and connecting them to Hitachi’s Network Manager ADMS.
Layline's Role
Layline Automation played a key role by deploying field engineers to conduct site surveys, document the existing RTU configurations and capture the current system setup. Based on this data, our automation engineers developed new ADMS point mappings and configured additional communication ports on the RTUs. Layline then led the commissioning process, loading and testing the updated configurations alongside the National Grid ADMS project team. Finally, we delivered as-built drawings that reflected the physical communication port modifications, ensuring accurate records for future reference.
Challenges
Layline Automation faced several challenges in executing the project for National Grid. Layline had to rapidly mobilize resources to meet the project demands, navigating a compressed timeline that required efficient allocation of skilled personnel. As the design had not been fully prototyped before our involvement, we collaborated closely with the National Grid team to define necessary standards and troubleshoot the complex network configuration changes on-site. The tight project schedule necessitated that Layline engineers develop detailed survey reports during the initial weeks of the project, establishing the foundational documents that guided subsequent work, while minimizing potential delays.
Solution
Layline Automation quickly mobilized a skilled team of field engineers, deployed to execute comprehensive site surveys and commissioning activities within a narrow project window. Recognizing the need for consistency and efficiency, Layline developed an in-house web application, designed to capture detailed survey data in a streamlined manner. This tool provided the engineers with a standardized method for collecting high-quality, consistent data across all sites, reducing variability and enabling faster data analysis. Layline also establised a highly repeatable and standardized configuration process, incorporating robust quality control measures to ensure accuracy and reliability across deployments. Over the course of the project, the team successfully conducted surveys, applied configurations, and completed commissioning on the RTUs, meeting the client’s objectives within the set timeline and ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness for National Grids ADMS integration.
