Smart grid helping ComEd improve grid reliability

The long-term vision for ComEd's project will have distribution automation and other smart grid solutions all linked to a common management center at a ComEd hub, the news source said. This will create an environment in which customers no longer have to notify the utility company when their power is out and outages can be dealt with much more quickly.

Establishing a distribution automation network
Finding success with distributed automation depends on being able to connect various aspects of the grid to a data network. This makes serial to Ethernet terminal servers a key tool in the broad smart grid landscape. Supporting distribution automation as part of a broad smart grid system depends heavily on interoperability between diverse device types. This creates an environment in which terminal servers and similar tools are essential to innovation in the sector.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyberassets in substations. The IOLAN SDS HV/LDC Terminal Server is designed to meet harsh environments associated with Power Substations with attributes such as support for substation AC and DC voltage ranges, extended operating temperatures and meeting emission, immunity and safety approvals associated with substation IT equipment.