Water dispatching is the top of the pyramid built on the basis of a wide range of data sources deployed throughout the river-basin. The amount of transferred data is huge, and the task of dispatching system is not only to collect and record data, but especially to provide them to the dispatchers and other users in a form that enables them to get a quick overview about the situation on the monitored area, it offers a detailed look at specific objects and support prompt and accurate decisions in crisis situations.
Situation
Previously operated Water Dispatching PVL (Vltava River Basin) was designed as a system of data collection in one central server without redundancy. Communication between the server and other parts of the system was via normal company network Ethernet, which was not protected against wiring failure or failure of any other active elements. As the source of the measured values and status information served an extensive network of measuring stations located throughout the basin. The total number comprises about 400 stations, of which approximately ¼ communicates directly with the central server (dial-up connections - fixed line or GSM / CSD, and selected sites on the rented cable), the rest of the stations collects data on servers of other entities and the information is transmitted in the PVL system mainly through the FTP protocol in the predefined time intervals (hours). Data stored on the server are archived on database server and they are available for both dispatcher display and for statistical processing. At the set time intervals are the selected data stored in formatted files that are automatically transmitted to a Web server available to the public. The original dispatcher workstations were consisted of standard office PCs using mostly one 17-inch LCD monitor. Client applications displayed information on flow rates and water level in each of the measured places, including current trends with the possibility to display historical data.
In crisis situations is for displaying information used notebook completed with a data projector located in the selected meeting room. Remote connection to the dispatching system is solved via remote desktop MS Windows 2000 Server and for the needs of dispatcher is assessed as totally inadequate. Due to the gradual construction and replenishment of the system in recent years, the entire solution got to a state where it is appropriate to consolidate the dispatcher section.
Business Objectives
The aim is to replace the existing system by new one which will bring unified and open architecture, redundancy of key components, linkages with other systems (GIS) and other new elements that would be difficult to implement in the original system. Then it is needed to build a new network infrastructure and upgrade the dispatching station, particularly with regard to ergonomic data display. Associated aim is to deliver subsystem record of dispatching telephone calls and linking to the actual dispatching system.
Solutions
Building a network infrastructure including servers ensured customers IT department, which closely cooperated with the supplier workers. Part of the solution was the transfer of the most measuring stations from dial-up connection to the GPRS packet. This infrastructure was then complemented by new client workstations, network interface box, record unit of phone calls and the dispatcher workplace that was equipped with large tele-wall screen composed of a matrix LCD panels in the distribution of 4 × 3, where each display has a diagonal measurement of 19". Client stations are equipped with two 19" panels, that allows dispatcher to work transparently with the dispatching system and parallel work in some office applications, among which can be data directly transferred. On this basis then work applications created in CitectSCADA system. Application servers are running in hot backup mode and store historical data on the database servers Oracle. Client stations are connected with the application servers where they obtain the sources for the current view. Part of the client application is a GIS module, which is integrated there and allows to display dispatcher data directly on the selected layers of map data set in the exact coordinates. This module is then used for a large display, which allows a comprehensive view on the state of the entire basin. Due to the high resolution of displays is also available detailed map view. In addition, there are available other selected data in the remaining space of display such as image from meteo-radar, alarm reports and diaries, or display of messages from a digital television broadcasting. The system also provides all exports to generate web pages, creating reports or transfer data to other entities. Due to the open architecture of the solution is possible easily integrate in the future another information such as the energy sources (hydroelectric power), the movement of vessels on the waterway, etc.
Technology
TeleWall 4×3×19 ", the total resolution of 5120x3072 pixels
Operator PC with 2x EIZO LCD 19 "
Modem box with 4 GSM modem and power control based RPSII
MOXA CN2610-8-2ac
MOXA NPort 5110
Unit call recording
CitectSCADA