Substation Virtualization: How Aduriz Distribución is Embracing Edge Computing for Smart Grids

Understanding the Need for Substation Virtualization

Traditional power distribution companies must evolve to meet the challenges of smart grids, where efficiency, security, and adaptability are paramount. For Aduriz Distribución, virtualizing their substations was the first step toward creating a smarter and more secure power grid.

Aduriz faced several challenges in its digital transformation journey:

• Integration of Technologies: Ensuring seamless interoperability between systems and devices from various manufacturers, while modernizing existing infrastructure to support new digital and communication technologies

• Cybersecurity: Implementing strong cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information from cyberattacks, while ensuring the distribution and transmission networks are fortified against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

• Data Management: Developing capabilities to collect, store, and analyze large volumes of data in real-time while ensuring consumer data privacy.

• Smart Grid Implementation: Building the foundation for a more intelligent and flexible energy management system that integrates distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar power and energy storage.

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Aduriz Distribución started by equipping two of its low-voltage (LV) substations with edge computing infrastructure powered by Barbara’s technology. Barbara´s Industrial Edge Platform enabled the company to strengthen system interoperability, enhance cybersecurity, and develop advanced data management capabilities.

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Transitioning from the Dark Edge to the Intelligent Edge.

The digital journey of Aduriz’s was a multi-stage process that yielded several key learnings.

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The Dark Edge

Each low-voltage (LV) substation is equipped with:

• Smart Meter Concentrator: Utilizes the FTP protocol to manage a diverse range of reports with varying levels of granularity.
• Line-Breaker: Operates using the Modbus TCP/IP protocol, with specific requirements for the Modbus register map.

In this phase, referred to as the "Dark Edge," the primary challenges arise from data being present but not fully accessible. These challenges include:

• Diverse Protocols: Managing different communication protocols across devices.
• Data Granularity and Access: Handling varying levels of data detail and ensuring efficient access to that data.

The Connected Edge

In this phase, the project involved Aduriz’s integration of Smilics products, specifically the sensors used for monitoring and control in low voltage transformation centers within distribution networks. The equipment, known as WiBeee, includes 1 x BULKER, 2 x FEEDER, 1 x GATE, and 1 x GREEN, all utilizing the MQTT protocol for communication. To ensure seamless data streaming and device control, Barbara’s Edge Platform played a critical role in connecting and managing the system.

• WiBeee Connector: This connector captures data from Smilics sensors through an internal MQTT broker. The broker is secured with a certificate generated by Barbara, which can be updated by Aduriz using the platform’s secrets management feature. The sensor readings are then transmitted to another MQTT broker to integrate with the broader system for analysis and action.
• FTP Meter Concentrator: This application retrieves meter reading data stored in an FTP repository and transfers it to the InfluxDB database for efficient storage and future access.

Informed Edge: Enhancing Visibility and Control

Once the data was being captured and stored, it became easier for Aduriz to query the database, visualize the grid’s status remotely, and transmit important information to the company’s central platform. This real-time insight enabled faster decision-making and more efficient grid operations.

• InfluxDB: A time-series database that stores information obtained from sensors and meters.

• Grafana: A visualization tool that displays information from various data sources, including InfluxDB.

• Data Transmission: Data is sent to the Aduriz Distribución platform via REST API or MQTT.

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By leveraging Barbara’s Edge Platform, Aduriz was able to ensure secure, real-time data streaming from all connected devices, paving the way for enhanced control and monitoring within its distribution network.

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Reactive Edge: Applying Business Logic for Greater Efficiency

Aduriz integrated Node-RED, an open-source platform, into its edge infrastructure to create visual workflows that facilitated automated decision-making. By using this no-code programming approach, Aduriz was able to integrate IoT devices and services without complex software development. This flexibility enabled the company to implement business logic quickly and react to changes in grid conditions in real-time.

Intelligent Edge: The Ultimate Goal

The ultimate aim of these projects is to achieve an Intelligent Edge. Aduriz has now a real-time, integrated, cyber-secure, and user-friendly data capture infrastructure in place. Building on this strong foundation, The Barbara Edge Management and Orchestration platform enables the dockerization and orchestration of intelligence models, which are essential for pursuing a smart grid solution.

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The modern power grid requires far more than just reliable electricity delivery. It needs to be agile, intelligent, and secure. Substation virtualization, powered by edge computing, allows grid operators to automate operations, make real-time decisions, and optimize resource management.

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Conclusion: Building a Resilient and Scalable Smart Grid

Aduriz’s partnership with Barbara and the deployment of edge computing in its LV substations has laid the groundwork for a smarter, more resilient power grid. By virtualizing its substations and implementing an edge infrastructure solution, Aduriz will benefit  from:

• Continuous Data Streaming: Now Aduriz, has an infrastructure that supports ongoing data collection from legacy systems.

• Enhanced Cybersecurity: Now Aduriz can maintain  robust cybersecurity throughout the deployment

• Business Continuity: The ability to respond to changes in real-time, ensuring smooth operations.

• On-Premises Infrastructure: Hosting the infrastructure within the company while benefiting from maintenance by Barbara.

• Scalability: A future-proof system designed to accommodate further advancements in smart grid technologies.

About Barbara

With cybersecurity at heart, Barbara is the Industrial Edge Platform for organizations seeking to overcome the challenges of working with real-time data applications in mission-critical environments.  With Barbara companies can deploy, configure and maintain containers and AI models across thousands of devices in an easy fashion, with the autonomy, privacy and time-sensitivity that the cloud can´t match.

Today, leading companies in Energy, Water Treatment, Utilities, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and Industrial Logistics trust Barbara to digitize their operations relying on advanced cybersecure edge computing. Discover how Barbara Edge Computing solutions can transform your business, by visiting us: www.barbara.tech

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