Application of PI real-time database in power generation enterprises

1. Implementation Background

With the development of informatization, power generation enterprises have generally introduced computer management systems and developed corresponding MIS systems to implement computer management within the enterprise, aiming to achieve a comprehensive informatization management solution. However, power generation enterprises generally have many information islands and low data utilization in informatization management. The most prominent manifestation is that due to security restrictions, the data in the production control system cannot be directly transmitted to the upper-level management information system, and timely and comprehensive information management cannot be truly achieved. The introduction of the PI (Plant Information) real-time database can solve the main problems of informatization by building an enterprise-level data platform to achieve integrated management and control, thereby providing guidance for the informatization construction of power generation enterprises.

2. About PI System

PI is a large-scale real-time/historical database system developed by OSI Software Company, and is an essential basic platform for enterprises to implement ERP projects. PI real-time database is a true time series database with powerful data collection and management functions. It uses data prototypes for long-term online storage and storage, becoming a reliable public data source for the entire enterprise; it has good openness and diversified mature interfaces, which can well realize the integration of enterprise management and equipment control; it uses patented compression algorithms, occupies little disk space and has a fast response speed; its distributed data acquisition interface perfectly solves the deficiencies in the company's information processing and fills the gaps in company management.

3. Implementation process:

3.1 Network topology architecture:

The DCS, RTU, and desulfurization interfaces of production control area 1 are logically isolated from production control area 2 through a boundary firewall; power-specific isolation devices are deployed between the production control area and the management information area to achieve physical isolation. There is only one-way data exchange between the two areas, that is, the real-time data in the PI system is transmitted from the production control area to the management information area. The PI server of the management information area is connected to the central 6509 switch via a gigabit optical fiber, and then to the desktop client via a 100M network cable.

The DCS, RTU, and desulfurization interfaces of production control zone 1 are logically isolated from production control zone 2 through a boundary firewall; power-specific isolation devices are deployed in the production control zone and the management information zone to achieve physical isolation. There is only one-way data exchange between the two zones, that is, real-time data in the PI system is transmitted from the production control zone to the management information zone. The PI server in the management information zone is connected to the central 6509 switch via a gigabit optical fiber, and then to the desktop client via a 100M network cable.

Figure 1

3.2 Selection of control system interface solution

The DCS systems of our company's units 1 and 2 both use the British Eurotherm NETWORK-6000 system, and the monitoring software of the system uses FIX32; the real-time desulfurization system of unit 1 uses the Damatic XD system of Finland's Neles Automation; the real-time desulfurization system of unit 2 uses the British Eurotherm NETWORK-6000 system; others have also implemented ABB ERTU 560 and Hangzhou Skyworth Company's RTU system.

PI real-time database provides standard interfaces based on OPC specifications and PI-API technology, and supports database interfaces developed using C++ and VB SDK. Both interface software use TCP/IP communication protocol and have buffer cache, which provides temporary storage and forwarding functions for data sent to PI server, ensuring that real-time data can be continuously collected and saved in the local hard disk when the PI server is shut down due to maintenance, upgrade, backup and abnormal errors. When the PI server or network failure is eliminated, the interface program automatically returns the data in the hard disk to the PI server. Buffer runs automatically as a windows service when the system starts.

3.2.1 Configuration of standard interfaces

The desulfurization system of our company's 1# unit adopts the standard interface system PI-IN-VS-DXD-NTI between PI and Damatic XD provided by OSI. The standard interface requires editing the startup file and configuring the measurement point properties to ensure that the interface machine obtains data from the Damatic XD controller and transmits the data to PISERVER1.