Likewise for EDP other set of projects was finished. The projects within the scope of substation automation systems, featuring protection and control, and remote terminal units, with automation functions.

In the scope of remote terminal units, the Efacec installed in Aljezur (60/15 kV) and Almodovar (60/15 kV) substations systems based on CLP 500RTU platform.
Platform that consists in two hierarchical levels: station server and acquisition units.

In the scope of automation systems, the installations of solutions based on CLP 500SAS platform were performed in Fermil de Basto (60/15 kV) and Caniçada (60/15 kV) substations.
The present solutions integrate Efacec products, namely central processing module UC 500, control units from Series 500, as well as terminal protection and control units from Series 420.

Efacec solutions for substations automation include state of-the-art and field-proven technology and allow reducing costs of installation, testing and maintenance.

The expansion and remodeling works of the automation system at REN Carriche substation (220/60 kV) were finished successfully during the third quarter of 2012.

The scope of supply comprised substation automation system, based on technology fully developed by Efacec, the CLP 500SAS platform, integrating Efacec modern without mechanical parts station server (UC 500), bay control units (BCU 500), transformer controller units (TPU TC420) and third party protection relays.

All systems components intercommunicate through an Ethernet network, according to the IEC 61850 standard. The substations’ station server units communicate with the upstream control center (SCADA) through the IEC 60870-5-101 protocol. The devices synchronization is performed by GPS.

During the third quarter of 2012, Efacec Automation has successfully concluded works for two substations of Kenyan company KPLC.

Works regarding supply, configuration and commissioning of automation systems featuring protection and control, were concluded at Kabete (66/11 kV) and Kamburu (132/33 kV) substations.

The system supplied for KPLC is based on technology integrally developed by Efacec, the CLP 500SAS platform.
The platform integrates bay control units, terminal protection units, third party protection relays and measurement devices.
The solution is integrated in accordance with the IEC 61850 standard.

These implementations are very a important reference for Efacec Automation, as these constitute the first substation automation contract in Kenya.

A remarkable achievement in Latin America market, in the scope of supply of substation automation systems, is a set of works concluded for former Cadafe, presently Corpoelec, the Venezuelan company responsible for energy supply in the country.

This project was completed in cooperation between Efacec Portugal and Efacec Argentina (Bauen) that was in charge of installation in the field.

The installations were done at nine conventional distribution substations (namely: Sta Clara, Guaraguao, Aroa, La Grita, Los Olivos, Turén, San Vicente, El Indio, and Ayacucho) and one mobile substation (Movil).
The automation systems are based on CLP 500SAS, with integrations of technologies developed by Efacec, namely Series 420 protection relays and station server units.
The solution is integrated in accordance with the IEC 61850 standard.

This project confirms preference of Venezuelan company in products and solutions of Efacec, as both companies are working in close cooperation during last couple of years. In Latin America Efacec Automation is present also in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, to name few, having numerous references of installed systems for substations automation, energy network management, and distribution automation.

Efacec ACS has successfully delivered an upgrade to a Moore Systems MPS-9000S substation remote terminal unit (RTU) for Seattle City Light, making it the 600th second-source RTU upgrade Efacec ACS has completed for utilities nationwide.

The 600 delivered units include upgrades to more than 26 other makes and models of RTUs, using Efacec ACS proprietary upgrade kits. Efacec ACS has manufactured and delivered more than 18,000 remote terminal units, data concentrators, and substation controllers over its 36-year history, including thousands of upgrades for its own RTU models.

“Efacec ACS was the right vendor with a field-proven upgrade solution for our specific RTU models,” said Michael Pesin, Chief Technology Advisor and Smart Grid Architect at Seattle City Light. “Their expertise showed throughout the process as they smoothly transitioned to the new RTU elements in a single day. We would definitely recommend this as a cost-effective way to keep up with technology changes and improve speed, functionality, and long-term reliability.”

Efacec ACS CEO José Barbosa says the company has seen retrofit solutions gaining traction over the old ‘rip and replace’ approach. “The sheer numbers of delivered units and the additional orders we continue to receive speak to the advantages of this innovative approach. Our data shows a typical savings of around $35,000 for every substation. Those numbers are compelling for utilities looking to recover costs, update functions, and extend the life of their assets.”

The Efacec ACS approach to legacy RTU retrofits involves replacing the intelligent “controller” of the RTU with Efacec ACS’ advanced Connex™ series substation system technology, while leaving I/O components and terminations from the previous hardware in place. This results in project cost savings of up to 60 percent, reducing many labor-intensive tasks such as re-wiring, drawing revisions and point-to-point checkout.