Program: 2008 UTC Region 8 Fall Technical Meeting

Come hear from a member of UTC’s leadership team what’s going on with UTC. This is a great time for members and non-members alike to find out what UTC is doing and what is being planned. This presentation gives attendees a chance to ask questions and provide suggestions about the direction of UTC.

Jeff Selman, Manager- Telecom & Protection Engineering, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association Presentation

While utilities are building new Ethernet network infrastructure to support IP based devices, they are forced to maintain the legacy substation telecommunications network to support legacy devices since the two systems are incompatible. The challenge is: how do you integrate utility legacy devices into a modern IP- based communications infrastructure and take advantage of the benefits that an IP-based telecommunication network offers?

Emmanuel Duvelson, Product Marketing Manager, RFL Electronics Presentation

This session provides an overview of WDM technologies used to increase the capacity and reach of existing fiber routes as well as an application view of which WDM technology would be used in a particular situation. Overviews of two-channel WDM (combining the 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths), coarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM), and dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) are covered. The technical capabilities as well as limitations of these WDM technologies are examined as well as general and specific applications in which a particular WDM technology would be used.

John Spencer, Business & Technology Strategist, Optelian Presentation

Maintaining security for convergent networks today can be complex. As specialized and legacy networks (radio, SCADA and others) become interconnected with traditional IT networks and the Internet, they are increasingly exposed to Internet–based threats like intrusion & malware. Learn how an organizationally driven security program can address these threats, supporting a utility’s different service interests by centralizing information assurance functions and outsourcing specialized operational capabilities. You can apply these principles to support your organization’s unique operating environment to address Critical Infrastructure Protection concerns like HSPD–7, NERC and other industry standards and regulations.

Bill Boni, Corporate Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Motorola, Inc. Presentation

In the context of the “Smart Grid”, Intelligent Utility Networks (IUNs), and increasing deployment of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), utilities are challenged to find cost effective and reliable communication methods for a growing number of widely dispersed devices and applications such a distribution automation (DA), intelligent end devices (IEDs), substation automation (SA) and AMR concentrators. Often utilities possess robust, high-speed communications linking higher value assets such as major offices, generating facilities, larger transmission substations, and communications sites but lack a reliable means to connect downstream locations. Broadband industrial radio technology utilizing licensed spectrum provides a standards-based cost effective means to communicate reliably over long distances to the high number of dispersed assets. This presentation gives an overview of the proper design, selection and use of broadband and narrowband industrial radio technology to reliably connect and scale utility applications over large distances (+/- 20 mile range) as well as the benefits of using licensed spectrum, as well as discussing Wireless Communication Infrastructure interoperability issues for Utility's Smart Grid deployments.

Jake Rasweiler, VP- Network Engineering, Arcadian Networks Presentation
Torin Dow, NOC Manager, Arcadian Networks

Wind Farm Designers, Planners and Operators are facing new challenges in deploying the SCADA and telecommunications network within the wind farm Territory. Typically, hundreds of wind generators are deployed and this complex control and monitoring system must be connected to a centralized network in a very adverse operating environment. Network planners must address several criteria when determining the overall telecom network design. First, cost-effectiveness is required from fiber-based network solutions for the relatively thin or low bandwidth needs of individual wind generators (DS0, DS1). Second, robustness, network reliability and performance under adverse and High Voltage environments is required due to the critical nature of these functions. Finally, High Voltage isolation must be considered to ensure protection of telecom equipment throughout and personnel safety as per the IEEE Recommendations for High Voltage installations (this includes protection from high voltage faults and lightning events). Fiber-based network solutions are highly recommended for such complex installations. This paper will address each criteria in turn, and provide insight on optimized solutions for small and large windfarm projects, including new NEBS compliant fiber-based isolation and transport solutions such as TeleLite from Positron.

Nicholas Koloshuk, Product Management, Positron, Inc. Presentation