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Trusted by Utilities, Transit, and Industrial Leaders
Your Integration Partner for Complex Systems
Avista combines SCADA, automation, communications, and Industrial IoT expertise to design, integrate, and support mission-critical operations.
Our Clients
Distributed Generation/Transfer Trip
The hospital possesses two compact generation units: Solar and CHP. The objective of this undertaking involved the installation and configuration of a system designed to receive a Direct Transfer Trip command from the utility through an SEL RB link over fiber, and subsequently relay this command to the main breakers of both the CHP and Solar units. Furthermore, a metering unit was integrated to measure the power, voltage, and other relevant parameters of the CHP. All operational statuses and system data are transmitted to the utility's SCADA system via a wireless connection.
Advanced Energy Management System
We developed, implemented, and configured an Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) to gather data from all the transit authority traction power stations, providing alarm notifications and historical data storage. The system offers various reporting functionalities and web-based connections accessible to both the Engineering and Planning teams.
Gas Plant SCADA Upgrade
The client had been utilizing outdated SCADA technology for their gas system, featuring approximately 1,000 screens and over 10,000 data points. The project's primary objective was to modernize the system by transitioning it to a cluster of virtual servers. Additionally, a DRS (Disaster Recovery System) component was incorporated into the architecture. We designed a custom application to upgrade both the screens and databases, alongside the integration of a pair of redundant historian servers to establish a comprehensive reporting and tracking system. Furthermore, a one-way data communication link was established to a development system, enabling the client to thoroughly test software, operating system patches, and database changes before implementing them in the production environment.
Electric Distribution SCADA
We designed and implemented an electric SCADA system with the purpose of monitoring and controlling all of the client's assets. This system encompasses transformers, high-voltage switchgear, medium-voltage and distribution panels, as well as solar and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, transfer switches, and generators. Strategically positioned Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) are deployed throughout the facility, interconnected via a self-healing fiber ring that is governed by managed network switches. The SCADA head-end is seamlessly integrated with the Building Management System (BMS). This project follows a design-build approach, with our scope encompassing design, submittals, panel and equipment manufacturing, programming, startup, O&Ms, as well as training.
Tunnel Ventilation System
The client has been mandated to enhance the performance of their tunnel ventilation system. This pilot project aims to create, deploy, and commission a new ventilation system, covering two tunnels and an intermediary shaft. To ensure robustness, all components, including PLCs, gateways, HMIs, IOs, and data links, are designed with redundancy in mind. The PLCs are situated in the mechanical rooms of the tunnels and share IOs through redundant IO rings. A dual data network connection is established to ensure reliable data communication. Additionally, four HMIs (two located in the mechanical rooms and two in fire rooms) are integrated to facilitate system control. This project follows a design-build methodology, with our responsibilities spanning design, submittals, panel and equipment manufacturing, programming, startup, operation and maintenance, as well as training.
Load Shedding
The client's facility receives power from two utility sources and is equipped with two backup generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply to critical areas. Ensuring the reliability of power to these critical sections is of utmost importance. To achieve this, we devised a load-shedding system based on a pair of PLCs. This system communicates with the switchgear to receive signals indicating the loss of utility power and executes a load-shedding Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in coordination with the gear and Building Management System (BMS). The connection to the switchgear is established using a Modbus link and hardwired IO. Command signals are sent to the BMS through another Modbus link. Additionally, the power contactors on various floors are controlled via Modbus links transmitted over fiber optics. To manage the intricate data communication scheme, we implemented our rIoT Engine on a pair of redundant CPL410 Emerson PLCs.
Traction Power SCADA
This project falls under the State of Good Repair initiative, which is divided into several individual tasks. This particular task involves the modernization of nine tie breakers and twelve traction power stations. As part of this project, we supply RTUs, HMIs, and data trace recorder (DTR) units. These DTR units employ EtherCAT technology to efficiently capture and record current and voltage data for future analysis. Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, including design, submittals, panel and equipment manufacturing, programming, startup, operation, and maintenance, as well as training.
Wastewater Pump Station Monitoring
Our client is a small utility with limited resources in the SCADA and networking department. They are under EPA regulations to monitor their wastewater pump stations, which are spread across their territory, totaling over 27 stations. We offered a solution to gather data from their station PLCs and make it accessible through our cloud portal, SkyView. Additionally, our system is designed to send alarm notifications when necessary.
Power Automation
This ivy league university receives power from multiple sources, including a local Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and four distribution substations. To manage this power supply effectively, load-shedding PLCs monitor incoming power and follow a load-shedding table to ensure uninterrupted power to critical areas. The load-shedding commands are then transmitted to the distribution substations through dedicated fiber links using SEL remote IOs. At each substation, multiple RTAC RTUs are in place to collect data from the switchgear. A centralized and redundant SCADA system, hosted on virtual servers, is responsible for collecting and managing all this data from the RTUs. Additionally, terminal servers are utilized to support thin clients at each station, enabling technicians to access and view data, monitor alarms, and execute controls locally. We provided engineering, programming, and commissioning services to implement this system.
Lighting Control
The client is a correctional facility that is in the process of implementing an outdoor lighting control system. The connection to control the lights is established through a fiber IO ring. The central PLC unit is situated in the guard tower, which serves as the hub for three monitoring stations. To facilitate data communication to the Building Management System (BMS) and provide an HMI application at each monitoring station, we have installed our rIoT Technology on the main PLC.
Power Monitoring
This project pertains to an army hospital and health research center equipped with a set of generators designed to provide emergency power. The status of these generators' alarms was traditionally displayed on an annunciator panel located in the operator's room. As part of their ongoing initiative to upgrade their power infrastructure, they are integrating ATS switches into the system. To facilitate this enhancement, we have replaced the outdated annunciation panel with an SEL RTAC RTU. This advanced unit not only gathers data from the existing alarm contacts but also communicates with the new ATS switches and power meters via the network. Additionally, it relays data to the Building Management System (BMS) and presents system values and statuses on Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels that have been installed in various locations.
Switchgear Retrofit
A major transit authority had plans to upgrade a section of their DC traction power switchgear lineup. Our involvement included conducting a thorough survey of the existing system, mapping the control signals, reviewing the existing drawings, and engineering new drawings and products as needed. The actual modifications were carried out by the electrical contractor. We also supplied as-built drawings and documentation, collaborating closely with the electrical contractor to address any review comment from the owner and bring the project to a successful conclusion.
Syncrophasor Data Concentrator
This project is being carried out for an organization focused on enhancing electric power technology and managing assets. The project's objective is to set up a data concentrator within the company's primary data center and establish connections with three power generation facilities to gather synchrophasor data. Our responsibilities included designing a solution, furnishing redundant RTAC data concentrators, configuring and programming the data concentrators, aiding the client in resolving networking challenges to establish connections with remote sites, and providing assistance in programming these remote sites. Furthermore, we collaborated with the utility company to ensure the integrity of data transmission from the sites to the utility.
Data Gateway to the Utility
The hospital relies on several generators to ensure a steady supply of emergency power. To meet the utility's monitoring requirements, which include tracking the status, power output, voltage, amp, and other critical factors of the generators and associated breakers, we deployed an RTAC data concentrator. This device connects to the switchgear relays, gathering the necessary data and securely transmitting it to the utility through a wireless link. Additionally, the data concentrator is capable of receiving trip commands from the utility and efficiently relaying them to the corresponding relays as needed.
Ground Water Treatment Control System
This project was executed for a major transit authority. We developed a comprehensive system designed to monitor and control the operations of a groundwater treatment plant. This system included the integration of various sensors such as door sensors, level sensors, flow meters, pressure transmitters, air velocity meters, pumps, and drives, among other components. We handled the entire process, which encompassed the manufacturing, programming, and commissioning of the PLC, HMI, and auto-dialer for this project.
Generation Control and Monitoring
The township's facility houses multiple generators, each added during different expansion phases and sourced from various manufacturers and vendors. Our assignment was to devise a comprehensive solution for monitoring and controlling all the generators, along with their associated switchgear components. Our solution also involved calculating the total power generation and historizing the relevant data. To facilitate access and visualization of the system's status and values, we provided a web-based HMI (Human-Machine Interface) that displays system alerts, one-line diagrams, and tabular data for each generator, as well as the system's overall performance.
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Work beyond the spec and scope.
Avista works with all the stakeholders such as IT, process, security and management to fill the gaps.
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The right knowledge and experience.
With our skill set, Avista provides solutions for the most complex control and IIoT problems.
The right connections. Avista has partnerships and alliances with major industry players and can leverage them to benefit our clients.
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