One of the World’s Largest Wind Farms Goes Online Using ETAP® for Power System Monitoring, Predictive Simulation and Event Playback

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Operation Technology, Inc. (OTI), developer of ETAP enterprise solution for electrical power systems, announces that the Colorado Green Wind Power Project, a joint venture of Iberdrola Renewables and Shell Energy, is operational after having been successfully tested and commissioned with ETAP Real-Time™.

“Stringent regulations imposed by grid operators require wind farms to guarantee a secure power supply”

The Colorado Green Wind Farm was originally modeled and designed with ETAP power systems software. Existing electrical telemetry devices were connected to the ETAP intelligent one-line diagram and metering elements, such as GE Universal Relays, were added to the offline model. This system configuration allows the ETAP Real-Time system to continuously capture and record wind farm operating data. The system detects potential threats by determining the source of potential problems and advises on corrective actions to avoid interruptions and the costs associated with them.

The issue of wind farms losing interconnection with the power grid due to power quality issues is common to a number of wind projects throughout the world. Each time a wind farm disconnects from the power grid, generation is unavailable for a significant period. ETAP Real-Time monitors the voltages and power flows throughout the wind farm network and combines ETAP simulation tools to assist operators in understanding the events that caused an outage. Thereafter, it can test and verify the appropriateness of the solution prior to deploying any changes.

Root cause & effect analysis tools were supplied in order to perform a faster power system triage. With complete system visibility through monitoring and integrated predictive simulation tools, ETAP Real-Time can quickly analyze and provide feedback to the wind farm operator who can then implement appropriate countermeasures.

“Stringent regulations imposed by grid operators require wind farms to guarantee a secure power supply,” states Tanuj Khandelwal, Director of ETAP Automation, “which necessitates state-of-the-art, open and flexible technology that goes beyond conventional power monitoring. Therefore, it is vital for wind farm owners and operators to take steps to implement an intelligent real-time system.”

About Colorado Green Wind Power Project

The 162 megawatt Colorado Green Wind Power Project, located 20 miles south of the Town of Lamar, was developed to help meet Colorado’s demand for renewable electricity. The project utilizes 108 General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines and is owned by Iberdrola Renewables and Shell WindEnergy Inc. in a 50/50 joint venture. According to American Wind Energy Association calculations, the project provides enough renewable electricity to serve approximately 52,000 average homes each year.

About Operation Technology, Inc.

Operation Technology, Inc. is the designer and developer of ETAP, the most comprehensive analysis platform for the design, simulation, operation, monitoring, control, optimization, and automation of power systems. ETAP is the industry leader used worldwide in all types and sizes of power systems, including generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial systems such as oil and gas, manufacturing, steel, cement, mining, data centers, nuclear facilities, transportation, smart grid solutions, renewable energy, and more. Visit etap.com for more information.

About ETAP Automation

ETAP Automation provides sales, support, and technical training of ETAP software and specializes in value-added power system engineering, consulting, analysis, and automation for the implementation of ETAP Real-Time Power Management System. Visit etapautomation.com for more information.

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© 2011 Operation Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain names and/or logos used in this document may constitute trademarks, service marks, or trade names of Operation Technology, Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders.

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