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réséda is an electrical network operator for a quarter of Moselle in the Northeast of France. With a power grid of 4,400 km divided into 4 voltage levels, from 225 kV to 400 V, the company supplies around 180,000 points of service. Their reliability is exemplary: the meantime of electricity outage per customer (TMCA) is only about ten minutes per year, making it approximately five times lower than the French national average and one of the best values in France. réséda has also implemented a fiber optic telecommunication network to stay connected with its sensitive infrastructures. In addition to its core business, réséda provides a mapping service for its parent company’s district heating business, supplying 35,000 service points.
The Challenge
With the ongoing energy crisis in Europe and the potential shutdowns of numerous French nuclear power plants for maintenance, there is a genuine possibility of planned electricity outages affecting parts of the network. Efficient, transparent, and effective management of these outages is crucial for the network operator. This is where several IT systems come into play, namely the SCADA, CRM, and GIS systems.
The Solution
For several years, réséda has been operating an enterprise GIS utilizing Esri and VertiGIS solutions. The enterprise GIS was successfully upgraded to the latest version last year. A crucial aspect of this implementation has been the seamless integration with various IT systems, including network calculation software, ERP, inventory software, and document management software. But most importantly, it includes integration with the SCADA system and the CRM, ensuring a comprehensive and unified solution.
The Result
Planned outages primarily impact specific feeders of MV/LV stations, which encompass the HTB/HTA tension levels in France. It is vital that shutdowns of all MV/LV stations situated on these feeders are being communicated to the GIS. The GIS holds the key knowledge of the low voltage topology and therefore plays a critical role in facilitating a rapid and efficient response. Each service point is connected to an electrical circuit, allowing it to identify its associated transformer and MV/BT station. Additionally, these electrical circuits, along with the corresponding house polygons, are colorized for easy visualization. This aids GIS operators in precisely determining the service points affected by planned outages. The seamless integration between GIS and CRM enables an accurate compilation of affected customers, complete with their customer/meter ID. Consequently, contacting and informing end clients about planned outages becomes a swift and effective process, thanks to the seamless collaboration of the GIS, SCADA, and CRM systems.
Smart meters play a crucial role in the electricity network infrastructure. However, on certain occasions, these meters fail to establish communication with the central server due to various reasons, and timely analysis proves vital in such cases. In the CRM, smart meters that haven’t communicated with the central server within the last ten days can be flagged. This relevant information is then synchronized through the VertiGIS application and presented as a thematic map on the web: non-communicating smart meters are depicted in black, while the functioning ones are shown in green. By colorizing all houses connected to the same feeder or electrical circuit, technicians can promptly discern if the issue lies with a specific feeder or if it affects a broader scope, helping to expedite solutions.
This excellent process efficiency is only possible thanks to VertiGIS’ solution that enables critical systems to integrate and connect. Fast response times, higher network reliability, and better communication with end customers are part of réséda’s business.
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