7. CONCLUSION
As has been explained in this paper, Network Owners / Operators
are facing the growing challenge of critical data management
in substations through the application of new, innovative
techniques and systems. Elektro Ljubljana has grasped
the issue of the management of its installed base of legacy and
numerical protection and control equipments through the
specification and implementation of an intelligent, mobile
data management system, augmented by the application of an
innovative approach to the testing of Numerical IEDs.
In the first phase of implementation of the new system for
operative mnintenance, the automated testing protocols were
often disturbed because their results were negative. With new
testing approach with a SOR protocol, a number of faulty
conditions of protection devices (E.g. settings) were identified.
The most frequent fault was found during a reset state
testing: either the reset ratio was too low or the reset time was
too long. It is interesting to note that many faults were found
in new digital devices. The results were forwarded to producers
and in some cases bugs were removed very quickly.
Although testing procedures can indeed be 100% automated,
there are still critical reasons why the user handling the test
system must be fully trained for identifying, understanding
and solving those possible reasons for negative testing results.
These critical technical staff must have the critical domain
expertise and the intelligent data management system offers
colleagues maximum support in order to decide between a
positive or negative testing results.
Such innovative techniques in secondary system data management
could give rise to significant impact on both the
Network Owner / Operator's asset management processes and
the efficiency / effectiveness of critical test engineering staff.
With the growing parc of installed systems, it will be interesting
going forward to monitor and review the practical impact
and realized return on investment provided by these techniques.
Further, user feedback on practical applications and
implications across secondary systems will provide new opportunities
to apply mobile intelligent data management.
As a result, our most important asset - our experienced expert
test engineers - can focus upon making good decisions in
ensuring that utilities maximize their customer service.