M.C. Romero

Deployment of digital video and Audio Over electrical SCADA networks

With the arrival of new hardware and software technologies, supervisory control and data acquisition human-machine interfaces (SCADA/HMI), usually text-based, can now benefit from the advantages the inclusion of multimedia information brings. However, due to the special requirements imposed by such systems, integrating audio and video data into the SCADA interfaces is not a trivial task. In this document we analyze those special characteristics and propose solutions so this integration is possible in power systems communication.

IDOLO: multimedia data deployment on SCADA systems

IDOLO project was born with the objective of adding audiovisual information to the usually text-based human-machine interfaces (HMI) used on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. This is not a simple task, as SCADA systems have traditionally been based on proprietary, low transmission speed networks, due to the special requirements that such systems impose in terms of network reliability and timing requirements. Within this paper we describe our efforts on the design, implementation and deployment of a networked computer system that adds multimedia information to the usually text-based SCADA/HMI systems. IDOLO system is based on well-known hardware and software solutions, such as Ethernet networks or MPEG codecs, resulting in a flexible and expandable system that has successfully been deployed on a real electrical facility.

Managing emergency response operations for electric utility maintenance

One of the most important criteria used to measure the quality of service in the electric utility industry is the uninterrupted service supplied to the customers. So, preventive maintenance is very relevant to avoid failures in the electric utility network. However, when failure is inevitable, it is very important that emergency repair operations are accomplished as soon as possible so the operators can avoid high-risk situations. Service unavailability can be decreased, reducing the frequency of power interruptions, number of customers affected per interruption, and duration of the interruption. A MAS for managing maintenance and emergency response operations in the electric utility industry was presented. The proposed system has the capability to support maintenance operations and make planning decisions.

Innovative learning and teaching methodology in electronic technology area: A case of study in Computer Science University degrees

This paper describes an experience that has been carried out by several professors in different subjects. Our experience is framed within the First Plan in Teaching of the University of Seville. All involved subjects belong to the electronic technology area and from three Computer Science degrees. We propose to use, in a combined way, some learning techniques: cooperative learning as complement to traditional learning, role-playing technique and jigsaw technique. We have considered a base methodology but in each subject a variant of it has been accomplished. We have used several evaluation techniques, such as reciprocal evaluation, electronic portfolio and check lists. Applying our methodology helps us to detect learning problems before the term ends. Also, in tune with the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), our methology gives a boost to develop transversal competences as important as work (or study) management, empathy and understanding of other members in a workgroup, conflict resolution, capacity to make decisions as well as coordinate and communicate with other members in a workgroup and also with the professor.

Remote Controlling and Monitoring of Safety Devices Using Web-Interface Embedded Systems

To date, access control systems have been hardware-based platforms, where software and hardware parts were uncoupled into different systems. The Department of Electronic Technology in the University of Seville, together with ISIS Engineering, have developed an innovative embedded system that provides all needed functions for controlling and monitoring remote access control systems through a built-in web interface. The design provides a monolithic structure, independence from outer systems, easiness in management and maintenance, conformation to the highest standards in security, and straightforward adaptability to applications other than the original one. We have accomplished it by using an extremely reduced Linux kernel and developing web and purpose-specific logic under software technologies with an optimal resource use.

Power systems monitoring and control using Telecom network management standards

Historically, different solutions have been developed for power system control and telecommunication network management environments. The former was characterized by proprietary solutions, while the latter has been involved for years in a strong standardization process guided by criteria of openness. Today, power system control standardization is in progress, but it is at an early stage compared to the telecommunications management area, especially in terms of information modeling. Today, control equipment tends to exhibit more computational power, and communication lines have increased their performance. These trends hint at some conceptual convergence between power systems and telecommunications networks from a management perspective. This convergence leads us to suggest the application of well-established telecommunications management standards for power systems control. This paper shows that this is a real medium-to-long term possibility.

Automatic surveillance in power system telecontrol applying embedded and multi-agent system technologies

We have designed, implemented and deployed a system called IDOLO [1] [9]. This system was born within a research project with the main goal of adding audiovisual information to the usually text-based Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) used on Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. IDOLO system is based on well-known hardware and software solutions, such as Ethernet networks or MPEG codecs, resulting in a flexible and extendable system that has successfully been deployed in a real electrical facility. Now our effort is focused on developing this system inside an embedded system by using the last technology. This is in order to provide a black box that includes the same functionality of IDOLO system and automatic surveillance as well. We are basing our work on different kinds of embedded systems and we are modeling its autonomous surveillance behavior by using Multi-Agent System technology.