Streamline, Secure, and Scale your Smart Grid: The Power of DigitaLogic’s Enterprise to Field System
In today’s fast-paced technological world, efficiently managing electric utility infrastructure involves monitoring, controlling, and automating essential assets like substation breakers, reclosers, regulators, and other equipment. This setup, known as a “Smart Grid,” requires SCADA or ADMS at the Enterprise Level, a comprehensive telecommunication network, and smart field devices at the remote sites. Engineers deploying a Smart Grid need a way to resolve potential issues arising from evolving regulations, changing technologies, increasing security requirements, and often, a challenging telecommunication environment.
DigitaLogic’s Enterprise to Field System (EFS) is a strategic solution designed to tackle these challenges head-on. EFS offers a unified platform that optimizes resource utilization, enhances security, improves reliability, and bridges technical silos thereby streamlining the Smart Grid deployment process.
How Does EFS Reduce Resource Demand?
One of the primary benefits of EFS is its capacity to integrate diverse technologies into a unified system. This consolidation allows utilities to utilize existing personnel more efficiently, minimizing the need for additional technical resources. With EFS, utilities can focus on delivering reliable service without the complexity of managing multiple disparate systems.
How Does EFS Protect Against Obsolescence?
EFS is designed with flexibility and scalability at its core. It seamlessly integrates with both legacy and modern infrastructure, ensuring backward compatibility while remaining adaptable to future technological advancements. This future-proofing enables utilities to invest confidently in EFS, knowing it will evolve with their needs without requiring costly overhauls.
Is EFS Secure?
Security is a top priority in critical infrastructure management. EFS ensures compliance with evolving security standards such as NERC-CIP and FISMA, hence aligning with the NIST cyber security framework. Its robust security framework accommodates future regulatory changes, safeguarding utility operations from potential cyber threats.
How Does EFS Improve Reliability?
EFS is a technological platform that enhances the operational reliability of FLISR, DERM, CVR, and VVO systems by enabling the seamless and secure exchange of data with field devices, especially in challenging telecommunication environments.
Additionally, EFS allows utilities to meet NERC-CIP requirements related to monitoring, control, and automation (e.g., security, system redundancy, telecom channel redundancy, etc.). EFS supports system expansion to accommodate virtually any functionality at the BES (Bulk Electric System – CIP-002) or non-BES level (e.g., power plants, substations, line monitors, oil-filled pipe cables, smart vaults, DER/distributed generation, microgrids, etc.). Utilizing EFS reduces downtime for utility customers and accelerates response times by providing a centralized point of control. With EFS, utilities can proactively manage grid operations and enhance service continuity.
What Advanced Solutions Does EFS Offer?
EFS is designed to address infrastructure challenges unique to each utility environment. Its flexible architecture allows for the deployment of intelligent applications both centrally and in the field, empowering utilities to customize and expand their system capabilities as needed.
Why Choose EFS for Infrastructure Modernization?
- Minimize Resource Use: Streamline project completion with fewer human and technical resources required.
- Future-Proof Investment: Stay ahead of technological changes with a system that adapts to evolving hardware, software, and standards.
- Enhanced Security: Implement cybersecurity measures across diverse communication links and field devices.
- Simplified Management: Manage thousands of remote devices across vast geographical areas with ease.
- Maintain Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, including NERC BES standards, with built-in compliance features.
- Consolidated Systems: Eliminate the need for multiple monitoring platforms by integrating disparate systems into a single interface.
- Advanced Functionality: Enable interoperability, data-sharing, and enterprise system consolidation across various stakeholders.
DigitaLogic’s EFS is the solution utilities need to navigate the complexities of modern infrastructure management while ensuring efficiency, security, and long-term reliability.
[i] EFS – Enterprise to Field System®
[ii] NERC-CIP – North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection
[iii] EFS – FISMA – Federal Information Security Modernization Act