Ventyx Launches Network Manager™ DMS v5.3 With Model-Based Volt/VAR Optimization

ATLANTA, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventyx®, an ABB company, today announced the availability of model-based volt/VAR optimization (VVO) as a commercially available application in the newest release of Ventyx Network Manager™ DMS (distribution management system). The new functionality will enable users to improve the efficiency and reliability of distribution systems, reducing demand and environmental impact.

Network Manager DMS is a world-leading application for distribution management, providing monitoring and control, network analysis and outage management in a single, integrated utility software platform. Release 5.3 of the application provides a platform for power distributors' smart grid operations. Model-based volt/VAR optimization combines advanced sensing, capacitor and voltage regulator controllers, two-way communications, geographic information system (GIS) modeling and mathematical optimization capabilities to improve efficiency and reliability.

"Network Manager DMS 5.3 delivers true, model-based VVO," said Oscar Tillberg, Vice President and General Manager of Ventyx Distribution Operations Solutions. "It is the new way of controlling voltage and reactive power on distribution systems, and it is a significant technological advancement compared to local and script-based centralized controls.

"There is a strong business case for investing in VVO. As the distribution network changes, the model is changed dynamically to ensure that optimal conditions prevail. The resulting reductions in peak demand bring considerable savings, with no impact on the end customer."

Model-based VVO utilizes a dynamic operating model of the distribution system, along with a mathematical optimization algorithm, to optimize the performance of the distribution system with a given operating objective. The basis of the dynamic operating model of the distribution system is typically the distribution connectivity model as found in a distribution organization's GIS. The model is adjusted in the utility's control room, either by operators or via an interface to the network's SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system, which transmits changes in the status of system components.

Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) is in the process of implementing the new VVO application as a key initiative in their smart grid plan. The objective is to reduce peak demand by approximately 75 MW within the next eight years by adopting volt/VAR on 400 circuits. In 2010, OG&E tested VVO on four circuits and observed that the peak demand reduction was between 0.8-2.4 percent.

Ventyx has long been the global leader in supplying real-time systems that electric organizations use to manage and optimize power system operations. In the future, Network Manager's DMS 5.3 platform with the VVO application will assist with the integration of renewable generation, such as photovoltaic, on distribution systems. Click here for more information about model-based VVO.

About Ventyx, an ABB Company

Ventyx, an ABB company, is a leading business solutions provider offering enterprise software, energy markets data and professional services to more than 1,250 energy, utility, communications and other asset-intensive organizations worldwide. Ventyx offers the only IT platform allowing clients to close the gap between operations technology (OT) and IT, delivering the first integrated software and power automation solution set able to achieve "source-to-socket" market transformation. For more information, visit our Website at www.ventyx.com.

Ventyx is a registered trademark of Ventyx Inc.   Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

SOURCE Ventyx