Page 41 - CE_Industral_Journal_2014

Video Monitoring Solutions

for Electric Utilities -

Issues, Requirements and Examples

A. Rizzo, G. P. Porciello, & J. McClean

ABSTRACT safety. In each application, improved operations through
Video systems have the versatility to be used for a wide automatic detection of issues, as well as other valuable
range of applications within electrical substations, power information, can be obtained by automatically analyzing
plants, and other critical infrastructure. Although typically the content of the video through video analytic software
used for security, video systems can also be used for algorithms.
equipment monitoring, asset management, process
control, and safety. In each application, improved CHALLENGES FOR ELECTRIC UTILITIES
operations and valuable information can be obtained by Electric utilities serve a mission critical function and as
automatically analyzing the content of the video through such, reliability and uptime are of paramount importance.
video analytic software algorithms.
Security threats, unplanned maintenance, and theft
of materials, are all increasing the operational costs for
This paper will present several applications where video the utility as well as increasing risks of brownouts and
monitoring systems can, and have played, an important blackouts. These operational issues are exacerbated by
role in monitoring and optimizing electric utility operations. limited available personnel and unmanned facilities.
Examples will include physical security; automated video
monitoring using video analytics; asset monitoring using Electric utilities are looking to technology to help deal with
thermal cameras; and integrating video with SCADA these issues as there is currently a lack of automation
systems and other physical security devices. Issues systems that monitor the condition of critical equipment
and requirements needed for reliable and effective video at the substation and elsewhere on the grid. Unfortunately
monitoring solutions will be discussed, and guidelines and the industry faces a number of unique challenges when
recommendations for video systems design, architecture, deploying any technology based solutions, challenges
hardware and software will be presented.
that are not present in other industries. These challenges
include: finding technology solutions that are highly reliable
Index Terms—Video Monitoring, Physical Security, Asset and which can withstand harsh substation environments;
Management, Substation Automation, SCADA, Thermal the high cost of equipment serviceability; implementing
Monitoring. adequate connectivity solutions; interoperability with
existing systems; and complying with a myriad of regulatory
INTRODUCTION requirements (such as NERC).
Electric utilities are faced with security threats to critical
infrastructure and remote facilities, an aging infrastructure The harsh substation environment is particularly
resulting in increasing risks of blackouts and unplanned problematic and requires specific solutions to address.
maintenance, safety of personnel and the public, and Harsh environments are characterized by high levels
overall rising costs. Video monitoring systems are playing of electromagnetic interference (EMI); wide operating
an increasing role in addressing these issues. Although temperature range; high levels of vibration and shock;
typically used for security, video monitoring systems have and the presence of destructive pollutants; all of which
the versatility to be used for a wide range of applications have the potential to interrupt or degrade performance
within electrical substations, power plants, and other critical of electronic equipment. These environments require
infrastructure. Video systems can be used for equipment specialized hardware components and packaging in
monitoring, asset management, process control, and addition to software designed with reliability in mind.
INDUSTRY JOURNAL 39