Advanced Data Connections for Wind
CASE STUDY
Advanced data connections for wind park asset management
In an effort to improve wind farm performance through digital transformation, ewz built an internal asset management application. The primary barrier to program development was unreliable systems used to collect wind park data. Major issues included:
- Inability to connect to all turbine models
- Flexibility to collect all relevant data
- Significant operational data gaps
THE SOLUTION
Ardexa replaced the legacy VPN connections with on-site edge devices at each wind park. These intelligent agents collect data signals from each manufacturer data server in their native protocols (e.g. ODBC, OPC DA, OPC XML, IEC, etc,.) and deliver the data seamlessly to the ewz application through the Ardexa API. This allows ewz to receive real-time normalized data from all machines directly into their asset management applications.
THE BENEFITS
ALL MACHINES CONNECTED
The Ardexa technology has enabled the connection and data capture from all wind turbines, irrespective of brand, model, connection type and communication protocols. Connections are made simply and rapidly by use of pre-configured machine plug-ins.
ABOUT EWZ
ewz, the Zurich Municipal Electric Utility, has been responsible for electricity supply in Zurich since 1892. ewz operates and owns power plants, maintains supra-regional high-voltage lines, supplies electricity to customers in Zurich and parts of the Grisons canton. ewz also services Zurich Public Transport (VBZ), the SZU-Uetliberg railway, public clock and lighting systems.
ENHANCED DATA SECURITY
The Ardexa solution reduced latency, increased data retrieval reliability and minimized data losses, especially at wind parks with frequent telecommunication issues. Customizable plugins give ewz the freedom to get their data without constraints.
SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY
Ardexa has seamlessly integrated into ewz’s corporate analytical system using the Ardexa API. ewz specified a European hosted service, which was facilitated by Ardexa, and received the wind park data through the Ardexa API. The Ardexa API easily adapts to the client’s system. The technical integration is simple and eliminates the need to be a security or IT professional.
SELF-IMPLEMENTATION
The Ardexa solution allowed ewz to self-implement most of the wind parks. Ardexa provided support for new data mapping and technical issues as required. Ardexa has also provided consulting where new data or network connections had to be implemented in very old wind parks.
ENABLING ADVANCED DATA CAPABILITIES
"The quality of the Ardexa services and the highly competent and cooperative Ardexa team were catalytic for the quick implementation of a secure and reliable wind park data acquisition system, according to our Asset Management purposes. In a short time horizon, we were able to connect our whole wind park portfolio, feed our wind asset management applications and detect abnormalities in our wind parks operation."