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17th International Conference on Electricity Distribution
Barcelona, 12-15 May 2003
HOW TO MOTIVATE PEOPLE AND STREAMLINE PROCESSES USING GIS
Eduard VIERLINGER
Energie AG Oberösterreich - Austria
eduard.vierlinger@energieag.at
INTRODUCTION
Decentralized assets and locations, networked technology
and infrastructure, suppliers, customers and services - in a
utility practically all strategic data have a direct spatial
component. Corporation- wide exploitation of these data
using intelligent spatial information technology will result in
better information and service quality, thus optimising
business and decision processes. This vision was at the
beginning of the network information system (NIS) project at
Energie AG.
THE NIS PROJECT AT ENERGIE AG
Energie AG is the leading electricity distributor in the
Austrian province of Upper Austria. Energie AG supplies
412.000 customers and yearly provides 6.500 GWh at a peak
consumption of 1.200 MW. 50% of the low voltage and 82%
of the medium voltage network consist of overhead lines.
The large share of overhead lines reflects the structure of our
supply area, which is mainly rural with small settlements.
The NIS-project started three years ago as one of the biggest
corporations wide IT-projects in EnergieAG’s history. To
ensure the success and internal acceptance of the project the
strategy especially stresses
• Lean solutions focusing on the business processes which
will gain most by NIS-support
• Fast implementation of basic functionality while keeping
in mind the potential for continuous enhancement and
improvement.
• A lean project team that has the support of the
management and is empowered to introduce needed
changes.
• Learning and teaching by doing: Hands-on involvement
is encouraged at all stages, employees are trained at their
site working on their own data.
• A comprehensive, consistent yet easily adaptable
information base, using Smallworld GIS technology from
GE Network Solutions.
• Customization and integration of the software and
training is done by external experts (GRINTEC GmbH,
Graz), thus keeping the internal project team small.
Monika RANZINGER
GRINTEC GesmbH - Austria
monika.ranzinger@grintec.com
be completed – too long and too costly for internal acceptance
of the project. Quick wins with real benefits were needed
early on to keep the spirit up and the project running:
On the outset there were a variety of application data in
different data formats and we had only a partial solution for
graphical display of our medium voltage network.
A concept was chosen, which places emphasis on complete
area coverage as opposed to detailed position accuracy.
Mostly standard reference data models from Smallworld were
chosen to enable a quick start of the data collection process.
All existing paper maps were scanned; the high and medium
voltage network was migrated from different existing data
sources combining graphical and alphanumeric information in
a consistent data repository. Information on MV/LVsubstations was derived from different data sources and
integrated into the data model. This effort resulted in
complete and correct information on the topology and all
components of the medium voltage network.
In the meantime also vectorisation of the low voltage network
is almost completed. As a basis for georeferencing
Orthophotos (Figure 1) are used, since surveying of all of the
topography would have been too time-consuming and costly.
Figure 1:
The Information Base
The best software program is useless if it lacks the necessary
data, but especially for GIS data gathering can take years to
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Orthophoto with medium voltage network
Additional basic information like geocoded addresses, raster
maps and cadastral information was purchased from external
data supplier for all of Upper Austria, where Energie AG
operates.
Thus we were able to build a comprehensive information base
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during the first half year of the project, reducing the use of
paper maps to practically nil. From that point data editing and
data entering was done exclusively in the new system.
The geometric accuracy of the data will be continuously
enhanced as new projects are entered. But we can already
make full use of the network information in all processes,
where detailed geometric accuracy is not needed.
Barcelona, 12-15 May 2003
this mobile offline solution, as a pure online operation via
Internet is currently not feasible because wireless connection
cannot be guaranteed throughout our service area. For some
simple queries like basic data for MV/LV-substations or cable
links we have also implemented access via mobile phones and
WAP protocol.
STREAMLINING PROCESSES
Distribution of Information
Thanks to this hybrid approach we could already supply area
wide network information in the first year of the project.
Using a browser-based intranet-solution direct access to all
graphical and attributive information is possible from each
PC. Currently approximately 250 users are working with the
intranet solution “GIS-Web”.as shown in Figure 2.
There are various entry-points, which can be located through
web-addresses (URL). This makes it easy to quickly find the
needed information. Alternate access-paths are provided via
address, substation number, parcel number or service area.
Web-addresses allow the connection to other applications like
our Call-Centre Software. The Call-Centre software uses the
same address keys as the GIS-Web, so that the applications
can call one another.
Inquiries on ownership can be made through an online
interface to the official Austrian real estate database.
With GIS-Web we also provide users with a variety of
dynamic reports, maps and graphics including:
• Maps for asset management (risks, reliability, importance
of assets)
• Maps for maintenance (state, deficiencies, measures to
be taken)
• Visualisation of current planning projects
• Visualisation of planned switchings
• Visualisation of fault locations
Figure 2:
Intranet information desk "GIS-Web"
GIS-Web is also available offline on mobile workstations for
users in the field. Extracts of relevant data are replicated
regularly to the laptops. We plan to equip 100 employees with
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During the introduction of the GIS we reengineered several
business processes and brought them into operational use. We
want to describe some of the processes where we now can
realize the greatest benefits from GIS-support. These are
• The planning process including network simulation and
analysis
• asset management
• maintainance
• outage management
The Planning Process
The planning process we now use demonstrated the potential
of an integrated approach. Process control is provided
throughout all stages: from the provision of network data and
external data like consumption data from SAP, engineering
design, network calculation, cost estimation, up to surveying
and mapping of the newly built network components.
Currently 24 engineers are using the GIS-supported
planning tool for low voltage projects.
Provision of data and engineering design: The central
information unit for each planning project in the GIS is the
„project domain”. In a geometric sense this is the approximate
outline of the area, where the planning will take place. All
connection- and network components are planned and
designed in the GIS and are assigned to their respective
project domains. It is possible to maintain in parallel different
variants of a project for comparison and decision purposes.
The costs for the project are calculated using an interface to
an external calculation program. Basic calculation parameters
and material costs are maintained in SAP MM and accessed
through a direct link to SAP-MM. Calculation results can
again be retrieved and displayed in the GIS.
All internal and external documents and maps concerning a
planning project are attached to the project domain. Thus all
relevant project information can be easily managed and
displayed.
By tying the work orders generated by SAP-CO to the
planning project the progress of the project can be
transparently followed using the GIS.
Network simulation and analysis: A network simulation and
analysis program has been fully integrated in the GIS to
support the planning process. Various functionalities of the
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network simulation and analysis program are also utilized to
derive parameters for asset management or planning for
switching.
Up to now network simulation and analysis (e.g. load scaling,
short circuit) for medium and low voltage was done using
legacy software. Data had to be manually entered, changes in
network topology and in system load had to be manually
edited.
In 2001 the network simulation program PSS/Adept of Power
Technologies, Inc., USA was purchased and integrated into
the GIS. Network calculations are now based directly on the
GIS database and are started out of the GIS. The results of the
network calculations can be visualized in the GIS using all
the GIS functionality. This integration offers a number of
benefits, e.g.:
• Direct access to the electrical parameters stored in the
GIS as well as to the network components and the
current network topology
• Direct access to consumption data (kWh or kW per
customer device) via the GIS interface to SAP/IS-U
• Derivation of load factors based on consumption data
and measured network section load
• The possibility to store and compare different variants
• Display of loads or of areas where critical values are
exceeded on the GIS map
Specifically useful indicators for the evaluation of a project
are “local quality” and “supply factor”:
Assessment of „local quality“: Local quality is a measure for
the technical expedience of a project. It is computed for each
network branch. Computed short circuit capacity and voltage
drop are related to their corresponding target values and
expressed as an indicator
Assessment of “supply factor”: The supply factor indicates,
whether additional capacity can be connected. It takes into
account the local voltage drop and the utilization of the
network branches and is expressed as a number between 0
and 100.
The total supply factor is computed as mean value of all local
supply factors. It shows how many spare connection is
available altogether. It is used to estimate the reduction of
spare connection in the low voltage, if a certain capacity is
connected at a certain point in the network.
Documentation of the finished project: Each new project is
levelled using tachymeters. We deploy state-of-the-art
surveying equipment and notebooks specifically equipped for
fieldwork.
The software used is map500 from Trimble Navigation ltd.
All relevant project data is exported from the GIS to map500
via a specifically adapted interface. Thus all necessary
information is available in the field and complete GIS objects
including geometry and attributive data are generated directly
on-site. Afterwards the updated and new information is
brought back into the GIS where final quality control is
performed.
This approach guarantees complete dataflow through all
stages of the process, no manual re-entering or reformatting
of data is necessary.
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Finally all project information is digitally archived in a
uniform way and thus readily available for eventual further
inquiries.
One of the challenges was to requalify 40 technicians from
using tape measure to apply the new digital techniques. This
was accomplished in no more than four months using
inhouse-trainings and on-the-job tutoring.
Asset Management
Cost reductions required by the national regulator may
negatively impact the quality and security of the network. On
the other hand customers demand a certain level of quality for
which they are willing to pay. Neither a quality that is too
high nor a quality that is too low is in the interest of our
customers. Risk oriented asset management is an instrument
to develop strategies for maintenance and re-investment while
considering acceptable levels of risk and budget optimisation.
We developed special algorithms and calculations that give
results on which decisions for asset management can be
based.
We chose to implement the calculations in the GIS, because
the information already present there (technical data on
assets, network topology and maintenance measures) forms a
solid basis for such considerations. By integrating other
systems e.g. the commercial part in SAP additional
information like customer-specific importance or the costs of
each network component are also taken into account.
Results of these calculations are tables and maps showing the
risk, reliability and importance (Figure 3) associated with
each asset and offer a basis to determine the network sections
with the highest optimisation potential.
Figure 3: Map showing level of importance of overhead lines
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17th International Conference on Electricity Distribution
Barcelona, 12-15 May 2003
notify customers are generated.
Maintenance
Data gathering of the state of assets should be complete and
precise to act as a basis for an institutionalized risk
management in asset management. The asset manager is
assisted by iNspection, a module specifically developed to
meet the new challenges in this area. It combines and
visualizes different decision criteria like state and age of
network components, importance of conductor for customer
supply, inspection intervals, planned building areas or special
geographic conditions of the line.
In cases of interruption of power supply the GIS helps us to
find possible fault locations and gives us alternatives for
measures to be taken.
A history of all faults and their locations is kept in the GIS.
This documentation gives us valuable indicators on the
reliability of assets and acts as a basis for improvements in
asset management and maintenance. On this basis we can
also compute Customer Minutes Out at MV/LV-substation
level. See the next Figure 5.
low
high
Figure 4:
Automated information flow in iNspection
A central part of iNspection is a mobile, palmtop-based
solution for on-site data entry of the state of poles or
substations.
Data for the assets to be inspected are replicated from the
central database to the palmtop device. Information about
state of the poles and necessary measures to be taken are
entered on the palmtop in the field. An integrated GPSmodule can be used to simultaneously register the location of
poles. This is used for all poles that have not yet been
geocoded in the GIS. Data is then replicated back to the asset
database.
The results of the field inspections are again visualized in the
GIS (Figure 4), allowing easy pinpointing of critical areas and
joint analysis together with other activities like e.g. planned
extensions.
Outage Management
Integration of the GIS in the outage management process
includes support for planned switching as well as for trouble
ticketing and visualization of fault location.
Planned switchings in the medium voltage network are
planned in the GIS using special network tracking
algorithms. Information on planned switchings is available
company wide in GIS-Web and allows us to coordinate
switching and minimize outage time.
The GIS identifies all affected customer connections. The
information is then passed to SAP-ISU where the letters to
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Figure 5:
Total outage time at MV/LV-substation level
Sources for the GIS-Project's Success
Consultants at ATKearney have recently confirmed the
technical as well as financial success of the project. Why is it
that EnergieAG did succeed, while a lot of GIS-projects have
failed?
Several factors contributed to this success:
• Before starting the project we did a thorough process
analysis to identify how GIS can contribute to support
business processes. From this analysis we knew which
areas GIS shouldd cover and the desired outcome at
business level. The analysis acted as a basis for a very
focussed request for proposals and for the financial,
organisatorial and time frame for the 5-year project.
• Employees from all departments of the organisation as
well as external consultants were involved in the
analysis and contributed their specific knowledge and
their ideas for improvements. Thus a positive attitude
towards change was present at all levels of the
organisation.
• From the beginning the project team concentrated on
areas where we could quickly show benefits to our
business. Thus other employees realized that this was a
promising project and wanted to be part of it.
• Internal competition was encouraged: Early success of
some groups prompted others to try to do even better,
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this again resulted in new ideas and improvements of
processes.
CONCLUSIONS
So as always the decisive factor are the people - the project
succeeded thanks to the initiative of the project team and the
active involvement of all employees and their willingness to
constantly learn and improve.
Our efforts in the future will also be focussed on utilizing the
GIS to reduce costs, improve network reliability and plan
strategically – in an ever-changing organisation solutions
have to be currently adapted and enhanced.
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