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Wulanchabu Electric Bureau Inner Mongolia

Rapid economic growth in the last two decades has led to a substantial demand for the supply of electricity in China. To meet this demand, large investments have been injected to build more electricity infrastructures in the country. These investments aim to achieve a substantial return on investment while providing high quality, safety and efficiency standards.

To set a high standard of safety and efficiency, the first thing on the agenda for the Wulanchabu Electric Bureau in Inner Mongolia is to optimise its workforce. This is done by removing guards at all the 110 kV substations and allowing the stations to be remotely monitored by the 220 kV substation operators. The result is better efficiency of the workforce and lower operating costs.

The concept

Both 220 kV and 110 kV substations are mission-critical facilities of a power plant. Such facilities should be reliable, fully operational, easy to operate, have advanced technology and observe safety procedures at all times as set by the Electric Bureau.

Using relevant design and construction standards as a basic guideline, the concept of using realtime remote monitoring as a core management system has helped to develop an effective security and operation surveillance solution to the Bureau. This modern, scientific and centralised concept allows realtime, full control and management over all of its remote sites.

The chosen solution

Adpro FastTrace enables the remote monitoring and management of multiple sites. The Bureau uses its existing local area network and transmits video images, of the remote sites, to the main command centre and management office. This also allows the command centre remote control of other equipment at the remote site such as transformers, switch isolations, circuit breakers and even provides repair guidance for minor equipment breakdowns.

Audio devices such as microphones and loudspeakers are installed on-site to provide bi-directional and interactive conversation. Together with video images, all audio signals could be transmitted and archived for records. A VM22A audio switcher is used to provide seamless switching between different audio signals when monitoring a particular remote site.

Any alarm at the unguarded substation can be transmitted back to the command centre, ensuring full security and surveillance for each site.

At the main transformer of every substation, colour dome cameras are installed to monitor the operation of each transformer. The cameras are also used to provide surveillance at high voltage zones, battery rooms and the perimeter fence in the 110 kV and 220 kV substations. Colour dome cameras are also used at the main gate to monitor all personnel and vehicles. Infrared detectors are used at these unguarded sites to trigger an alarm if there is any unauthorised intrusion.

Complementing the system is an access control system and magnetic sensors installed at important entry points in the substation. Most entry points can be remotely opened or closed from the command centre using a switch button. When a door is opened remotely, it will shut automatically after 10 seconds if no other action is activated, therefore maintaining a secure environment.

Adpro FastTrace network video management system acts as an integration platform for all its front-end colour dome cameras, perimeter intrusion and access control systems. FastTrace not only records and transmits audio/video signals, it also provides seamless integration of third-party devices at the remote site to give the end-user an effective centralised management solution.

At the main command centre, Adpro Video Central Gold remote management software is used to monitor, control and manage all the surveillance, perimeter protection and access control systems at the remote substations. The system not only provides local control but also sends remote vital information from the distant sites to the command centre and management office via the existing local area network.

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