Atlas: Backup Power Application

1. Introduction – Problem Statement

Power outages represent critical situations for telecommunication companies and power utilities [1]. When power outages occur at a site, it is crucial for telecom providers to ensure that the most vital equipment at the site remains functional for the duration of the power outage.

When telecom companies are notified when a power outage occurs, it is important that they receive information regarding the backup power available at the sites with the lost power. For instance, it can be useful to quickly access the number of generators at the site and their remaining runtime. Similarly, it is important to know the backup battery count in each site and to access their remaining reserve time. This kind of information can help telecom companies plan for corrective measures when abnormal conditions, such as a series of power outages, occur in their network. In this use case, we will detail how Atlas can help prioritize corrective measurements when power outages occur in a telecommunications network.

[1] For the purposes of this use case, telecommunication companies will be mentioned, but this information can be applied to both telecommunication companies and power utilities.

2. Aggregating Data in Atlas

In Atlas, users can configure various forms in the platform to monitor and store critical information from devices providing backup power at sites during power outages. To effectively plan corrective measures associated with power failures, it is essential for telecom providers to have access to data regarding the state of their DC batteries and generators.

As a vendor-agnostic platform, Atlas can integrate many battery and generator models. It is compatible with numerous third-party devices that use SNMP or Modbus TCP/IP protocols. In addition, devices using serial protocols, such as Modbus RTU, can also be integrated into Atlas when they are connected to a Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) such as Multitel’s iO Supervisor.

Figure 1: The iO Supervisor, Multitel’s newest RTU

2.1 Batteries

It is very important for telecom companies to assess the state of their backup batteries to ensure they can provide DC power to the sites’ equipment during power outages. Below is an example of an interface configured in Atlas that allows users to visualize the most critical data from their battery management systems (BMS).

Figure 2: Example of a Lithium Battery with an integrated BMS for reporting to Atlas

Figure 3: Example of a form that can be configured in Atlas for batteries

In this interface, users can first determine the battery’s status, meaning whether the battery is in charging or discharging mode. Atlas also has data analytics capabilities allowing the data monitored at the equipment level to be transformed into actionable information. For instance, here, Atlas automatically calculates the reserve time using the following equation:

Since every automatic computation is fully user-configurable in Atlas, it can be adjusted to every client’s reality.

In addition to this, a state of health (SOH) of the battery is computed by Atlas based on ohmic measurements at the cell level. This SOH is then used to compute an “adjusted battery reserve time” providing a more precise and a lifecycle-representative estimate. Finally, custom statuses have been created for various measurements in this form. For instance, the battery’s computed reserve time of 8.96 hours is considered to be “Sufficient”, while its adjusted reserve time of 4.57 hours is considered “Low”. User-defined business rules are associated with these statuses, making them fully configurable.

2.2 Generators

Generators also play a vital role in providing backup power to telecom sites when the AC main power is temporarily unavailable. When a power outage occurs, it is crucial for operators to assess the state of their generators in the network. The example below showcases a configured form in Atlas, designed to visualize the data collected from a generator controller or automatically computed using Atlas’ data analytics capabilities.

Figure 4: Example of a generator with a controller that can be reported to Atlas through an RTU.

Figure 5: Example of a form that can be configured in Atlas for generators

This form primarily displays the majority of the data available in most generator controllers. Custom statuses, based on user-defined business rules, can be associated to each datapoint. For example, the “Generator Running” status is associated with the motor’s speed-reading of 1500 RPM. Various other quantities monitored directly from the generator controller are displayed, such as oil temperature, oil pressure and fuel level. Users can also manually input their generator’s typical fuel consumption. This enables Atlas to automatically compute the generator’s estimated remaining runtime, which is obtained by simply dividing the fuel level by the generator’s consumption. Atlas also automatically calculates the generator’s fuel level percentage based on the fuel level reading as well as the fuel tank capacity.

2.3 Sites

Once data from the generator controllers and batteries is integrated in Atlas, a site dashboard can be configured to summarize the most critical information collected at a site. The figure below illustrates an example of such a dashboard.

Figure 6: Example of a Form that can be Configured in Atlas for Sites

In this form, users can assess a summary of the environmental conditions and power usage effectiveness in a specific site. More importantly, Atlas automatically computes and displays the number of generators in the site, the number of generators currently running as well as the total estimated runtime from the generators in the site. Similarly, users can determine the number of batteries in the sites, the number of batteries in discharge mode and their total reserve time.

3. Integration in Atlas’ Network View

Once the Atlas interface is configured at the equipment level and data from the generators and batteries is integrated into Atlas, the network view can be configured. More precisely, we will see that the network view can be configured to provide users with prioritization indicators, assisting with decision-making during power outages.

Indeed, Atlas’ network view enables the creation of customized views to visualize specific equipment. As a result, custom views can be created for generators, batteries and sites. Below is an example of a configured view to include only the batteries in a telecom network.

Figure 7: Example of a customized network view that can be configured in Atlas for batteries

As shown in Figure 7, this network view displays the entirety of the batteries in the network appearing on the map. Specifically for this view, some batteries appear with a red icon, while others appear with a green icon. This is based on user-defined statuses that are programmed to indicate whether the generators appear red or green. In this case, the batteries are programmed to appear in red if they are discharging, providing backup power to equipment in the site, while the green icon indicates that the batteries are charging.  Below the map view in Figure 7 is a dynamic table enabling users to view the most critical battery data such as the batteries’ locations and statuses. Users can also quickly assess the current status of the batteries and estimated reserve time

Figure 8: Example of a customized network view that can be configured in Atlas for generators.

Similarly, personalized views can also be configured for generators. Figure 8 shows a network view that allows for the visualization of the generators within in a telecom network. Custom statuses can also be programmed for generators. Specifically, the generators are displayed in red when they are running and providing backup power to equipment at the site, and in green when they are not running, indicating they are not at risk of running out of fuel in the next hours. In the dynamic table below the map, this also allows one to quickly assess the fuel levels and estimated remaining runtime of all generators, enabling proactive planning and quick reaction in the event of a power outage.

Lastly, a customized network view can be configured to summarize the most important data from the sites. An example of a network view that allows users to view their sites within the network is shown below.

Figure 9: Example of a customized network view that can be configured in Atlas for sites.

In Figure 9, sites are displayed in green if AC main power is available, and in red if there is an ongoing power outage. This view provides the same information as in Figure 6, but offers users a comprehensive view of all their sites. By utilizing Atlas’ network view, users can quickly answer the following key questions about their sites, such as:

  • Which sites are currently experiencing power outages?
  • How many generators and batteries are located at every site?
  • Which sites have generators that are currently running? What is the total estimated remaining runtime of those generators?
  • Which sites have batteries in discharge mode? What is the total estimated remaining reserve time of these batteries?
  • What are the most effective corrective actions to take in response to active power outages? How much time do we have to implement these corrective actions?

4. Outputs and Benefits

As discussed in the previous sections, Atlas can be used to analyze the data collected from backup power equipment, such as generators and batteries, at telecom sites – transforming it into valuable, actional information. Atlas can also summarize the information from backup power systems and sites into a single, comprehensive network view. As a result, the use of Atlas in daily operations can provide the following benefits:

Minimized Service Disruptions: Atlas’ network view can display the most critical information regarding backup power systems in a network enabling telecom providers to react quickly when abnormal conditions occur. For example, the dynamic table in the network view can help users quickly identify active generators with low fuel levels, allowing for timely refuelling actions. Atlas also provides insightful prioritization indicators, guiding users to implement the most effective corrective measures during power outages, ultimately reducing the risk of service disruptions to customers.

Optimized Resource Allocation: As stated above, Atlas’ backup power application provides users with prioritization indicators during power outages, ensuring resources are deployed where they are needed most. With this approach, Atlas can also help minimize unnecessary truck rolls.

Cost Efficiency: By limiting unnecessary truck rolls, Atlas can generate significant cost savings. Atlas’ backup power application can also reduce dispatches that are not immediately necessary. In turn, Atlas helps lower the number of overtime hours necessary to maintain the network during power outages, reducing operational costs.

Enhanced Network Resilience: Easy access to the generators’ remaining runtime as well as the batteries’ reserve time in the network facilitates backup power planning. Atlas enables proactive planning, allowing telecom companies to ensure that backup power is available at every site in the event of a power failure. Atlas can also notify users when power outages occur, or when the remaining runtime of backup power systems drops under a certain configurable threshold.

Fast Assessment of the Network’s condition: The centralized network view enables a quick assessment of the conditions in which the network is operating. In addition to this, configurable dashboards can be created in Atlas to provide insightful KPIs regarding the sites and equipment present in the network. Dashboard examples for power plants and generators are presented below.

Figure 10: Example of a dashboard for power plants configured in Atlas.

Figure 11: Example of a dashboard for generators configured in Atlas.

5. Conclusion

Backup power systems, including generators and battery systems, are crucial for telecom providers to maintain the resiliency of their networks when abnormal conditions, such as power outages occur. These backup power systems ensure that the critical infrastructure at the sites remain functional during power outages, minimizing service disruptions to the customers.

To effectively address power outages, it is vital telecom companies have visibility and a clear vision on the state in which their backup power systems operate to take quick and effective corrective actions. In this use case, we have seen how Atlas not only provides remote visibility on generators and batteries, but can also transform the data monitored into actionable information. Additionally, Atlas’ network view allows quick access to the most critical data about backup power systems in the network, enabling telecom providers to proactively plan for power outages and to implement the most appropriate correctives actions when they occur.

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