OpenGrid^®

CURRENT OpenGrid is the software foundation to enable Smart Grid applications deployed today and in the future.  The OpenGrid platform provides the network and data management system to integrate any grid device, including intelligent sensors, capacitor banks, tap changers, reclosers, switches, substation devices and meters with a variety of low-latency IP based communications systems including fiber, 3G wireless, DSL, cable, WiMax and BPL.  The OpenGrid platform combines real-time data from throughout the distribution grid with geospatial and asset properties to produce Actionable Intelligence™ – telling a device or a person to take a specific action at a specific time and place to improve the efficiency and reliability of the distribution grid or to facilitate the integration of distributed renewables.

This global platform is vendor and communications neutral and is easily integrated with the utility’s existing systems like the OMS, DMS, Asset Management, Work Management, SCADA, Data Historians and metering using web services, open standards and open protocols.

CURRENT Smart Grid Infrastructure

Software – CURRENT OpenGrid provides the backbone for real-time communication, sensing, analytics and control through a fast, reliable and secure enterprise application platform for mission-critical Smart Grid applications. It is built using modern Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and W3C specifications and can be scaled to meet a utility’s future needs.   CURRENT OpenGrid also uses a modular architecture to allow for flexible deployment schemes and is easy to install, configure, manage and monitor. 

CURRENT OpenGrid is comprised of the following sub-systems:

Network Management System
The CURRENT OpenGrid platform incorporates a highly scalable Network Management System (NMS) to manage the Smart Grid communication network using industry standard protocols such as IEC 61850, DNP3, IP and SNMP.  The NMS provides device measurement and control of Smart Grid sensors and equipment provided by various manufacturers as well as centralized management including configuration, monitoring, provisioning, troubleshooting and software upgrades. 

Device Data Management System
The Device Data Management System (DDMS) provides a centralized database to store Smart Grid measurement data.  The DDMS maintains the relationship between sensor measurement data and the associated electrical equipment.

OpenGrid employs a standards-based open architecture to share data with enterprise applications and to support data mining, pre-engineered reports and ad-hoc queries.  The DDMS verifies data consistency and integrity using the dynamic power system model.

Geospatial Data Model
CURRENT OpenGrid incorporates a comprehensive electric distribution Geospatial Data Model designed using IEC Common Information Model (CIM).  Leading GIS vendor electric distribution data models (ESRI, Intergraph, Smallworld, and AutoDesk) are supported, using industry standard CIM/GML adapters.

Integration Adapters
The CURRENT OpenGrid platform utilizes standard adapters to integrate with utility enterprise applications.  The platform serves as a single logical source for key enterprise entities to reduce dependency on custom interfaces and proprietary data formats, and to improve data quality across the enterprise by sharing data.  Data duplication is reduced making data readily discoverable, accessible, and interoperable, supporting multiple transportation methods including Enterprise Service Bus, Web Services, JDBC, Oracle RDBMS and Point-to-Point using API.  SCADA integration adapters utilize ICCP TASE.2, while GIS and OMS integration adapters are built using IEC 61968-11 CIM. 

Graphical User Interface
CURRENT OpenGrid includes a map viewer for real-time network analysis with a geographic backdrop.  Rich map navigation tools enable seamless interaction between the map viewer and data display.  The Graphic User Interface supports module level security, and enables generation of on-demand and pre-defined triggered reports.  Single-sign on/identity management is provided using LDAP, and users are able to modify look and feel and other user preferences with database based configurable parameters.