PowerOn™ Control - Distribution Management System

Digital Energy

imagination at work

PowerOn

™

Control

Distribution Management System

Smart Distribution Management for Increased Operational Efficiency

With today’s technology, a utility can derive greater benefits from a PowerOn Control Distribution

Management System (DMS) than ever before. Examples of such advances are the installation of grid

modernization technologies and the developments in telecommunications that provide better and broader

communication with field devices. Using the PowerOn Control DMS to operate their distribution network

permits utilities to obtain significant improvements in operational and financial efficiency.

As utilities invest in grid improvement solutions, including both modern communications infrastructure

and Distribution Automation, PowerOn Control makes full use of these investments to improve customer

reliability and reduce operational costs. Through its advanced applications, the PowerOn Control enables

utilities to proactively manage their distribution networks, and at the same time, provides the tools

and means to deal with unplanned events and outages. Smart Grid technology is heavily influencing

operational systems and will continue to push technology limits as utilities gear up for more automation.

The PowerOn Control product vision therefore targets ongoing evolution of tools to update and maintain

network data, refinement and expansion of network operation applications and expanded interoperability.

Key Benefits

• Significantly improved situational awareness and reliability: The PowerOn Control core Distribution

Network Analysis functions increase situational awareness of users and operators well beyond

available SCADA telemetry, detecting potentially unsecure conditions and automatically warning the

user of undesirable or dangerous effects of proposed switching actions via Pre-switching Validation.

• Dramatically reduced outage restoration times: The Fault Detection, Isolation and Service

Restoration (FDIR) function automatically determines the location of faults using both fault data

available from modern relays and fault detectors to recommend switching steps to isolate the fault

and restore customers within seconds.

• Reduced peak demand: The Integrated Volt-Var Control (IVVC) application utilizes available telemetry,

including flows and voltages, to accurately target voltage reduction to decrease load in periods of high

demand or reduce energy consumption and losses around the clock.

• Increased network efficiency: PowerOn Control improves the utilization of network assets by

providing recommendations on how to reconfigure the network to improve the network state.

• Flexibility: Platform independence adapts to specific corporate standards. Support for de-facto

standards and legacy protocols ensure compatibility with existing systems.

• Scalability: The highly scalable architecture is designed for reliability and security. The PowerOn

Control can support networks comprised of millions of devices, delivering the same exceptional

performance regardless of the network size.

• Cyber Security: PowerOn Control provides the tools to perform system lock-down and a complete set

of reporting capabilities required to demonstrate compliance to Cyber Security standards, such as

NERC

CIP 002–009.

GE’s Distribution

Management Systems

With, PowerOn Control GE’s Digital Energy

business is pleased to present a powerful DMS

solution that enables utilities to achieve their

objectives. PowerOn Control has a complete set

of applications and features that allow reliable

and high-quality power delivery, while helping to

ensure the safety of field crews and the public.

This, plus operational efficiency and optimal

asset utilization, results in improved customer

satisfaction.

The PowerOn Control DMS system offers many key

features:

• A single, fully integrated user interface

environment with advanced and intuitive

navigation designed to help users focus their

attention where it is needed. This UI maximizes

productivity by offering easy-to-use tools and

interfaces.

• A field-proven, highly scalable SCADA able to

interface to field equipment directly or to other

SCADA systems already in place.

• Powerful modelling and analysis capabilities for

distribution networks, including a smart grid-

ready set of advanced applications to improve

network reliability and optimal asset utilization.

• Fully integrated planned and emergency

switching management capability created with

safety and user efficiency as its principal design

drivers.

• A sophisticated training environment allowing

full simulation of realistic scenarios.

• A highly scalable architecture designed for

reliability and security, including disaster

recovery solutions with or without real-time

data transfers.

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

OPTIMAL ASSET UTILIZATION

IMPROVED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

PowerOn Control DMS Software Suite

Overview

PowerOn Control is a complete software suite that addresses the operational

and control needs of Distribution utilities. All PowerOn Control SCADA and

DMS applications are fully integrated into a secure platform based on the

most advanced technologies and as such offer features that assist users in

meeting the utility’s security, reliability and financial objectives.

PowerOn Control systems alert users to important events affecting the

network. This allows users to react quickly to control the network, minimize

outages, protect network assets and ensure public safety. The built-in

decision support tools and automated control functions improve utility

performance at all levels, reducing operating costs and meeting regulatory

and corporate objectives.

PowerOn Control includes grid modernization applications that improve

distribution reliability, reduce network operating costs and maximize

the investments in measurement, metering, control and communication

infrastructures.

PowerOn Control includes an advanced SCADA integrated platform that

fits seamlessly into IT and control center infrastructures using any of the

standard interfaces available today such as SOA, EAI, ICCP, DNP, IEC

, ODBC,

SQL and others.

The PowerOn Control SCADA integrated platform is designed with the highest

standards for reliability, security and performance, and is used in many of the

world’s largest and most secure utilities. Offering a throughput of 1 million-

plus SCADA points with near zero data latency, this platform is a leader in

the industry. With a wide selection of on- and off-site backup processes,

any operational environment will be secure with reliability levels in excess

of 99.98%.

The SCADA platform supports a wide range of standard and legacy protocols

and will interface with any commercially-available RTU.

The PowerOn Control DMS provides utilities with a comprehensive suite of

tools for efficient, reliable and cost-effective management of distribution

networks. For this, the PowerOn Control includes one of the most

comprehensive collections of modules available on the market today,

including:

• Unbalanced three-phase Load Flow to add a high-level of visibility to the

network state, even where there is no SCADA telemetry.

• Power Analysis tools to identify opportunities for network improvements,

including Fault Level Calculations, Loss Calculations and Network

Optimization.

• Distribution Automation tools to self-heal problematic network conditions,

including FDIR, Contingency Load Transfer (Overload Reduction), IVVC and

Load Shedding.

• Intelligent Switching Management tools and processes including automatic

determination of optimum switching steps for effecting planned outages.

All of these SCADA and DMS modules are integrated into a common platform

and work in a fully-synchronized manner. The DMS Model Management tools

are a highlighted feature, supporting full and incremental model updates

from commercial GIS products, ensuring that the DMS network model is

always current.

The PowerOn Control DMS provides a complete Remote Access solution, from

Web-based interfaces for read-only data access to fully privileged, secure

remote consoles for standard operation, control and data interchange.

In addition to its functional capabilities, PowerOn Control provides standard

interfaces to GE’s PowerOn Restore OMS and Smallworld Electric Office™.

PowerOn Control also includes an Operator Training Simulator (OTS) for

conducting tailored training using real network conditions, accurate network

data and real RTU responses in a “safe mode” environment.

PowerOn Control Functional Components

INTERFACES

TO EXTERNAL

SYSTEMS

Advanced DMS Apps

• Fault Detection, Isolation and

Service Restoration

• Integrated Volt-Var Control

• Optimal Feeder Reconfiguration

• Switching Advisor

• Fault Level Analysis

SECURE OPERATION

SYSTEM MONITORING

Switching Management

• Planned Switching

• Emergency Switching

Network Operations Management

• Alarm Management

• Automatic Process Control

• Historical Data Management

• Real-time Calculation Engine

• Tag Management

Data Acquisition and Control

• RTU Communications

(DNP3, 60870-5-101/104, etc.)

• ICCP

(TASE 2 ICCP, Secure ICCP)

• Remote Front-end

Processors

Core DMS Apps

• Connectivity Analysis

• Distribution Load Flow

• Distribution State Estimation

• Pre-switching Validation

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

PowerOn Control SCADA

Utilities are continuously searching for a

quality control system-something robust,

reliable, secure; something easy-to-use

and easy-to-maintain. The PowerOn

Control SCADA is that quality choice.

The PowerOn Control SCADA derives

from more than 40 years of experience

in energy control systems. Users of the

PowerOn Control SCADA agree that the

product is unique in its features, allowing

them a solid base for operations. This

sophisticated base allows users to feel at

ease in stormy weather and to gain and share information through flexible

communication interfaces.

The PowerOn Control SCADA protects assets with its advanced security

features. Highly scalable, it runs on today’s most popular platforms.

Whatever the specific needs, its extreme flexibility can help utilities meet

them. The PowerOn Control SCADA is seamlessly integrated with PowerOn

Control DMS high-level applications to form a base for reliable and high-

performance Distribution Management System.

The main strength of the PowerOn Control SCADA is that it is based on

field-proven, standard features and is easily modifiable to accommodate

particular configurations. Whenever a more complex arrangement is

required, its open architecture facilitates low-impact, cost-effective

customization, allowing utilities to take advantage of previous investments

by using legacy assets.

Feature-rich, Flexible Solution

PowerOn Control SCADA includes an impressive array of features, designed

to meet a wide variety of general and specific customer needs:

For RTU and field equipment communications, the PowerOn Control SCADA

system supports a wide range of protocols, including the industry-standard

DNP3 in both serial and TCP/IP versions, IEC

-60870-5-101/104, Telegyr

8979, Conitel 2020/2025 and MODBUS

. A variety of legacy protocols are

also supported. The PowerOn Control SCADA system can be configured to

support the specific protocol needs of any utility. Front-end processors are

LAN-based and can be geographically located anywhere on the corporate

LAN/WAN.

Inter Control Center communications allow utilities to securely share data

with other utilities. The PowerOn Control SCADA system supports several

industry-standard data link protocols including ICCP and Secure ICCP.

As a result of its optimized Alarm Management functions, the PowerOn

Control SCADA is perfectly equipped to handle hundreds of alarms per

minute without affecting performance. It gives users the ability to set

a virtually unlimited number of alarm summary windows with various

contents, according to immediate needs and preferences. The summaries

include active and historical data, and powerful re-configurable on-the-fly

filters. Additionally, the entire layout can be saved for further reference

on a user and console pair basis. Selected alarms, if so configured, are

automatically sent to SMS or e-mail servers and from there, to pagers or

targeted mailboxes. From the alarm summary to the one-line diagram and

back, the user is just one click away with the advanced Locate feature that

make operations more efficient and keep operators focused on the actual

work.

The PowerOn Control SCADA features an Automatic Process Control

functionality, allowing users to write complex, multi-step sequences of

supervisory control commands including logical decisions based on the

state and quality of other telemetered points. Designed to execute any

coordinated sequence of operations, this package is typically used to

implement sequential switching lists and automatic process control scripts.

The execution of these sequences can be automatically triggered by a single

event, by user request or as a remote procedure call from an application.

Validation functions are available to verify that the script is error free and to

ensure no invalid sequences are executed.

Through its Historical Data Management functions, PowerOn Control

supports the collection, storage and calculation of time-dependent data

and provides user-friendly tools to view and modify this data. Tools include

tabular and graphical viewers and editors, Oracle

relational database

technology, detection and storage of disturbance data and an account

editor. For customers who are considering or who already have existing

historical data management functionalities from OSISoft

Inc. PI Historian,

PowerOn Control SCADA has a standard, fully functional interface with

complete support of automatic tag creation, edit and deletion.

PowerOn Control SCADA’s Real-time Calculation Engine fully supports

a rich set of calculations based on other SCADA points. Both logic and

mathematical calculations may be defined. Expressions that determine

calculated point values as a function of other real-time point values may

invoke complex relations between SCADA telemetry, user entered data,

other calculation results, SCADA points quality status and numerical

constants. Calculated points are processed conventionally and treated

exactly as telemetered points in all respects. Calculated points provide the

flexibility to both display and manipulate data in complex manners without

the need to write software. PowerOn Control includes a package of pre-

defined calculations and a powerful define-and-configure tool that allows a

very large number of logical and mathematical operators.

PowerOn Control SCADA fully implements Role Based Access Control;

this is enforced by assigning privileges (which globally define the actions

that can be executed by defined user roles) and by the console’s Area of

Jurisdiction (AoJ), which defines the extent of data and functions available

for visualization and execution on that console). PowerOn Control allows for

the definition of thousands of AoJs for increased flexibility.

A fully configurable Tag Management function allows the definition, addition,

modification and removal of device tags, also known as safety tags or work

tags. Tags are normally used to notify users of safety conditions or work-in-

progress on a device. Tag definition is fully configurable and allows PowerOn

Control to adapt to the utility’s current practices and procedures.

The PowerOn Control Active Alarm Browser

The PowerOn Control Active Alarm Browser.

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

PowerOn Control Distribution

Management

PowerOn Control DMS and the Smart Grid

GE is avant-garde in its implementation of Smart Grid principles in its

applications. Our flagship FDIR application, first deployed in 2003, is a key

component of a self-healing network. It includes an automatic detection and

location of faults and an automatic execution of upstream and downstream

restoration switching. This means that more customers are restored more

rapidly, reducing outage minutes and improving Quality of Service Indices.

Another example of a Smart Grid solution within PowerOn Control include

achieving network optimization via IVVC or load transfers and supporting

distributed generation within PowerOn Control. At GE, we recognize the

potential of grid improvement initiatives and are committed to providing its

benefits to our customers.

Effective User Interface Maximizing Productivity

The PowerOn Control DMS user interface is designed to:

• Allow users to quickly assess the state of the network. This means

different things to different types of users, but the unifying theme is to

help focus their attention where needed.

• Give users the necessary feedback, for example in terms of potential

consequences, ensuring that they can make intelligent and informed

decisions.

• Assist users in performing daily tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible

and automating routines, while still giving them the necessary control.

• Ensure that users can investigate emergency situations quickly to assess

the extent of problems, evaluate options and take action.

The user interface offers very rich graphical display capabilities, including

geographic displays and automatically generated schematics. These

graphical displays can present results of Connectivity Analysis and Load

Flow as well as for the advanced applications-including location and extent

of faults-and identify the faulted device. These displays are complemented

by a set of tabular displays that present application results in an intuitive

fashion. PowerOn Control supports full navigation between tabular,

graphical and schematic displays.

Load Flow and State Estimation: Distribution

Network Visibility

The Load Flow and State Estimation application tremendously improves

the users’ visibility of the distribution network, allowing them to protect

against critical performance, reliability and security risks, without extensive

investment in expensive remote monitoring equipment.

As a result of the high-infrastructure costs for remote monitoring, the

network visibility offered to users by SCADA systems is generally limited

to the equipment inside the substation and to selected locations on

the feeders. The Load Flow and State Estimation calculation module

significantly improves this visibility. These applications use the estimated

load profiles at customer distribution points as well as voltages and flow

SCADA measurements-within the substation and anywhere along the

feeder-to compute individual phase voltages, currents and losses on the

entire distribution network. The enhanced visibility offers benefits such as

improved detection of system problems including voltage violations and

accurate assessment of system losses. The advanced State Estimation

algorithm will automatically correct the network state, and even network

parameters, to match calculated and measured quantities.

Load Flow and State Estimation produces a real-time, unbalanced single-,

two- and three-phase solution that is presented within system displays

providing a high-level of visibility to the system beyond that normally available

by SCADA. These accurate Load Flow calculations also provide the information

needed by other PowerOn Control DMS advanced functions.

PowerOn Control supports a Pre-switching Validation (PSV) function that

automatically evaluates in advance the consequences of every switching

action initiated by a user that will open or close a switch or apply a cut or

jumper. PSV determines the expected result of that action by automatically

executing connectivity and load flow analyses in the background and

advises the user of any undesirable consequences of the proposed action.

The operator is given options to either cancel the attempted action or to

proceed in spite of the existence of warning messages.

Examples of the determined conditions include:

• Number and priority of customers to be de-energized.

• Possible overloading of a device and/or voltage limit violations, or attempts

to open a switch where the current flow exceeds its interruption capacity.

• Connection of an energized section of the network to a grounded section.

• Changes in network configuration such as introducing or removing

abnormal network loop or parallel.

The PowerOn Control graphical user interface is capable of displaying information

from a variety of real-time sources for enhanced situational awareness.

Load Flow calculations can be presented as permanent results on Feeder

displays or by simply hovering over a selected device.

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

FDIR: Reduce Outage Impact

GE’s FDIR application is a key building block for any utility’s Smart Grid

solution. FDIR enables utilities to significantly improve their distribution

network reliability and reap economic benefits resulting in considerable cost

savings.

This application automatically determines, within seconds of detecting a fault,

the location of the fault using both fault data available from modern relays

and fault detectors. It then proposes switching steps to isolate the fault and

restore the distribution feeder upstream and downstream of the isolated fault

thereby rapidly reducing the number of outaged customers and dropping the

total outage minutes. On approval by the user, PowerOn Control translates

these switching instructions into a full-fledged Emergency Switching Order

that includes procedural steps such as issuing tags and safety documents, in

order to meet the operating standards of the utility.

FDIR offers:

• Minimized outage areas: Intelligent algorithms restore the maximum

number of customers after fault occurrences.

• Minimized outage duration: An optimized restoration algorithm ensures

minimized outage periods as well as the efficient use of field crews.

• All safety precautions and rules are followed: For example, opened

switches and grounding network sections under work are automatically

tagged. As a result, FDIR promotes a safer working environment for field

crews.

• All available equipment information and field data are considered when

analyzing faults: FDIR can carry out complex network configurations that

would be difficult to do manually.

• Feasible solutions: Implemented recommendations will not adversely

affect the network, e.g., will not cause equipment overload or voltage

violations.

The fault detection mechanism makes use of available SCADA circuit

breaker and fault detector statuses. In addition, it accounts for any relevant

devices along the fault path, such as reclosure relays, when evaluating

network conditions. Suspect fault conditions are highlighted on graphical

network displays.

Users can set configuration options directly impacting the proposed

recommendations, such as specifying that only SCADA-controllable switches

are to be considered in the proposed isolation and restoration steps.

IVVC: Integrated Volt-Var Control

The IVVC application recommends optimal control of shunt capacitor

banks on feeders and in the substation, transformer and line regulator tap

positions and/or their automatic voltage regulator set points.

IVVC’s main objectives are the following:

• Conservation Voltage Reduction, which uses voltage reduction to

minimize total energy consumption or to shave off the load peaks during

periods of high demand. This minimization is achieved via feeder voltage

reduction without violating customer voltage limits and other constraints

such as maximum number of device operations per day. The application

automatically takes into account abnormal network topologies.

• Loss Minimization minimizes technical losses by switching capacitors to

minimize Var flows on feeders and respecting power factor limits set by

transmission operations.

IVVC recommendations can be issued automatically and directly to control

field equipment.

On-line Fault Level Analysis

The Fault Level Analysis application can interactively calculate fault currents

at an operator’s specified location in the network. This flexible and easy to

use application is able to calculate the three-phase fault currents as well

as the post-fault voltages. It can also compare the fault current magnitude

against the interruption capacity of breakers in the fault current path and

provides a display listing the breakers whose post-fault current flow is

greater than their current-interrupting capacity of those switches, alerting

the operator of potential problems before they occur.

The model used for this application is the same as for the rest of the DMS

applications and computation can be done using the actual network state

as pre-fault condition.

Optimal Feeder Reconfiguration:

Making Better Use of Distribution Network Assets

The Optimal Feeder Reconfiguration application analyzes the distribution

network and proposes switching actions that will result in better utilization

of the distribution assets. Its two modes of operation look to reduce system

losses and improve voltage profiles or to reduce overloads.

• Loss Minimization through Feeder Reconfiguration: This mode seeks

to minimize system losses by providing recommendations for branch

exchange, i.e., closing one switch and opening another. It identifies what

the optimal tie point is between feeders resulting in minimal losses and

which avoids loading or voltage violation.

• Contingency Load Transfer (Overload Reduction): In this mode, the

application provides the operator with switching recommendations for a

network re-configuration-transferring load from one feeder to another-

which will reduce overload on a particular device.

Graphical highlighting of affected equipment.

IVVC Recommendations Display

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

Switching Advisor and SMS:

Planned Switching Made Easy

PowerOn Control’s Planned Switching Advisor determines and proposes

switching operations in order to safely isolate a piece of equipment or

portion of the distribution network as part of a work order.

A typical context for a Work Order that requires switching involves the need

to isolate field equipment for maintenance. The Switching Advisor is capable

of proposed switching to completely isolate the device, while minimizing

the number of de-energized customers, without affecting any if possible.

Further, the proposed switching is validated so that it does not introduce

any overload or under-voltage conditions. The Switching Advisor uses real-

time connectivity information to trace through the network, so the network

model is always up-to-date. It also makes use of the powerful Load Flow

application as a means of checking the impact of the proposed actions.

The user can review the list of proposed switching and view the affected

switches highlighted on a graphical display.

Once the user is satisfied with the proposed switching, a single click

initiates the translation of the proposed switching steps into the Switching

Management Subsystem (SMS) for the creation of a Planned Switching Order.

This automatically generated list of Switching Order instructions will include

a number of additional steps, such as:

• Tagging (e.g., Do-Not-Operate tags are placed on the isolating switches).

• Actions, such as disabling of on-load tap changers, in the event that the

proposed switching involves creating a temporary parallel.

• Tracing the affected circuits and locating and disabling reclosing relays.

• Procedural steps defined by the client and configured to correspond to

the utility practices and processes.

The SMS provides users with an integrated environment for preparing,

validating, approving and executing planned and emergency switching orders.

Emergency Switching: Fast and Secure

SMS also supports the definition and life cycle activities of Emergency

Switching Orders, that in conjunction with FDIR dramatically improve the

response to unplanned events and emergencies.

Switching Order steps can be created manually, recorded from graphical

operations or created automatically by the advanced applications. The

automated switching order method produced by the Switching Advisor

ensures certain constraints, such as no resulting violations and proper

tagging, are respected.

SMS supports the archival of completed switching orders, as well as the

restoration and viewing of previously archived switching orders.

Access to all switching management functions is controlled via the

mechanism of user roles and privileges. This approach enables individual

utilities to assign responsibilities associated with the various functions to

different user types.

SMS maintains a detailed chronological audit trail that records and highlights

all changes made to a switching order after approval.

Data Management: Critical to DMS Success

The single most important factor that determines that the utility is getting

the most out of a DMS is effective and efficient data management. The GIS

Gateway can interface to a wide variety of Geographic Information Systems,

and will help streamline the process of keeping DMS data up-to-date,

both during initial build of the DMS network and through highly optimized

incremental imports. GE has a great deal of experience in helping utilities put

practical data management systems in place.

Advanced Architecture:

The Basis for Superior Performance

PowerOn Control has been designed to meet the functional, performance,

availability and expandability requirements of modern utilities. As a result,

PowerOn Control is based on a distributed client/server architecture

designed to internationally recognized standards. The use of appropriate

third-party hardware and software has been maximized in order to provide

the most convenient means of system expansion and integration with

corporate and legacy systems. System data is organized in databases

managed by commercially available industry-standard relational database

management systems (RDBMS). The data collected and processed by the

system is easily accessed by corporate applications such as Microsoft

Excel

, Microsoft Access

or corporate web applications using standard

ODBC drivers.

The Switching Order Editor showing the audit trail feature.

SMS Browser presenting a graphical overview of switching tasks.

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control

Storage Area

Network

Long-term

Storage

Operational LAN

SCADA LAN

Maintenance LAN

Operator Workstation(s)

RTUs

Oracle

Servers

Remote Access

Server(s)

Access Security

Servers

DMS/APP

Servers

SCADA

Servers

Web Server(s)

DMZ LAN

DMZ

Printer(s)

Terminal Servers/Modems

GPS Clock

Dev Workstation

GIS Gateway

Server

Dev

Server

Dev/Test Environment

Enterprise WAN

PowerOn Control Main Control Center

Firewall/

Router

Firewall/

Router

OMSGIS

External

System

By virtue of its distributed configuration, functions are allocated to

processing units based on the function/data modularity principle that

locates related groups of functions as closely as possible to the data they

frequently access. This avoids communication bottlenecks in the process of

distributing functionality.

In order to achieve the high availabilities required for any mission critical

system, fully redundant system components are provided. Fast, user-

transparent failovers give rise to an enhanced availability of critical

functions-an essential property of a mission-critical system.

PowerOn Control is capable of increasing its computing power via the

addition of further computing elements, such as additional memory,

processors, servers or workstations. In addition, PowerOn Control is designed

such that component failures are promptly detected and redundant

components are brought into use without operator intervention and without

causing degradation of functionality or performance.

Further, redundant elements are continuously monitored to avoid build-up

of hidden faults. Remote devices are monitored for malfunction and can be

readily removed from service when any such malfunction is detected.

PowerOn Control also supports a Hot-standby Backup Control Center with

optional full redundancy. This allows operations to transfer to a remote

location in the event of a disaster affecting the main control system.

PowerOn Control as Part of Your

Utility’s SmartGrid Strategy

GIS Interface: Leveraging Corporate Investments

in GIS Technology

The PowerOn Control GIS-Gateway interfaces the utility’s data residing in a

corporate GIS system or similar asset management systems with PowerOn

Control. This allows the integration between the GIS and PowerOn Control

data management.

The GIS Gateway by default accepts data exported in CIM/XML format as

defined by IEC 61968/61970 standard for network model data attributes,

and GML format for network graphical representations. If the utility already

has or is considering GE’s Smallworld Electric Office GIS, a productized

interface based on the same standards ensures seamless integration with

minimal efforts.

Where the GIS product used by a utility does not offer the capability to

export its data and graphics into CIM/XML and GML formats, specialized

services can be offered to implement utility-specific GIS data extraction

utilities compatible with the GIS-Gateway.

It is possible to categorize the incremental GIS network modifications based

on the complexity of the change. PowerOn Control can then automatically

apply changes categorized as simple all the way to the production system

without requiring user intervention. For changes categorized as complex,

PowerOn Control allows users to selectively review and approve changes

before application.

External Database Access

PowerOn Control offers a uniform and user-transparent mechanism for

accessing data stored in the various databases within the PowerOn Control

product. An advanced Application Programming Interface (API) provides the

client applications with a set of services to globally access data.

External applications can also access historical data through its standard

ODBC interface, or through Oracle’s standard SQL interface as well as

through stored procedures.

The system supports various transfer protocols ranging from simple secure

FTP file transfers or Web XML imports/exports to real-time Inter Control

Center Protocols including 60870-6-TASE 2 ICCP, ELCOM-90 and IEC 60870-

5-101/104 over serial or IP links respectively.

Typical PowerOn Control System

imagination at work

NERC is a registered trademark of North American Electric Reliability Council.

IEC is a registered trademark of Commission Electrotechnique Internationale.

Telegyr is a registered trademark of LG2 Landis and Gyr Zug AG.

Modbus is a registered trademark of Schneider Automation, Inc.

Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates.

OSISoft is a registered trademark of OSI Soft, LLC.

Microsoft, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excelare registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in

the United States and/or other countries.

ISO is a registered trademark of the International Organization for Standardization.

GE, the GE monogram, PowerOn, Smallworld and Electric Office are trademarks and service marks of

General Electric Company.

GE reserves the right to make changes to specifications of products described at any time without

notice and without obligation to notify any person of such changes.

Digital Energy

2018 Powers Ferry Road

Atlanta, GA 30339

1-877-605-6777 (toll-free in North America)

678-844-3777 (direct number)

[email protected]

GEDigitalEnergy.com

PowerOn Control Operator Training

Simulator

The best defense for coping with difficult situations is preparedness. GE

provides the “real case” simulation training with its state-of-the-art OTS. This

environment provides models that emulate the real-world devices of the

system. The OTS ensures that the team is sharp and ready, and well-versed

in many real-life eventualities.

With the OTS utilities have an environment that is a functional replica of their

DMS and distribution network, and is safe to use to develop best practices in

keeping with today’s quality assurance and cost efficiency demands.

In addition to acting as a Trainee/Instructor Simulator the OTS can also be

used as a pre-production environment to pre-test software and database

releases before integrating them into the live system.

The following applications are packaged with each OTS:

• Training Monitor and Control: This application enables the instructor to

monitor and control the simulator’s state at any point in time.

• Scenario Manager: The scenario manager is used to facilitate the

manipulation of the scenario files. Through its menu, the instructor can

define, edit and execute scenarios or put a scenario in a learning state.

When in the learning state, all trainee/instructor actions affecting the

simulation are automatically recorded in the scenario. This scenario can

be later replayed to re-execute the sequence of actions.

• Base Case/Snapshot Manager: With this application the instructor can save

and restore snapshots/base cases or initialize the OTS from a base case.

• Audit Trail: All activities in the OTS are recorded for review by the

instructor in the Audit Trail application. Commands performed by the

instructor and trainee, all scenario events, all alarms and events normally

generated by the applications are recorded in the Audit Trail.

Scenarios representing real situations, such as bad weather, disasters or

high-volume usage or peak period can be generated from the production

historical database to create scenarios that will test the trainee to think and

act on his feet under exceptional conditions. The OTS gives the user real-life

situations in a perfectly safe environment.

Cyber Security

As control systems have become an integral part of tightly-integrated

enterprise business applications, keeping control systems secure is a top

priority for effective use of these advanced applications.

PowerOn Control Cyber Security is guided by North-American and

International Security Standards, such as NERC CIP, NIST Security Checklists,

NIST SP 800 Series (800-53, 800-82), ISA-TR99, ISO

/IEC-27002:2005, and

CIS Guidelines. It is based on a Defense-in-Depth security approach which

includes Network, Application and Host Security.

PowerOn Control - Secure: Lock-down and

Demonstrate Cyber-Security Compliance

PowerOn Control - Secure provides a solution to gain control of, and confidence

in, a mission-critical system’s security posture. Secure has the ability to identify

security, compliance and configuration issues that may compromise the

system. Using Secure on a regular basis to audit mission-critical servers and

workstations is a key policy in a sound self-assessment certification process.

Secure does much more than simply audit against certified configurations. It

has the ability to perform the configuration changes required to lockdown and

secure workstations and servers. In audit mode, Secure will execute a selected

set of security controls and generate a conformance report. In lockdown mode,

Secure will configure the workstation or server as per security best-practices

conforming to industry standards such as the NERC-CIP and ISO-17799.

Reports are made available in both text and HTML formats. Using a standard

web browser interface, Secure audit reports can be conveniently viewed by

authorized personnel. A list of all available reports is presented and each

one is easily and conveniently accessible from the Secure Cyber Security

Dashboard. A quick glance at the dashboard can reveal security, compliance

and configuration deviations in the system that require attention.

PowerOn Control - Advisor: Simplify and Optimize

Patch Management

PowerOn Control - Advisor is an extension to the Secure utility. It provides

PowerOn Control-specific value-added information on third-party advisories

and patch updates. Whenever a third-party issues a patch update, Advisor

instantly analyzes the impact on the PowerOn Control system, the authorized

software and the management tools installed on a server or workstation. A

preliminary patch management assessment report indicating the potential

impact on the system is e-mailed to GE’s customer support team and

optionally, the utility’s patch management team. The report from Advisor

helps to focus the testing required for patch management certification and

reduce turn-around time.

GEA-12677C(E)

English

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