Implementation Journey of Unplanned Outage Management | TNB Grid
The IPS Journey with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) started in 2018 with successfulimplementation of the Asset Performance Management System (APMS) for the Transmission and Distribution networks. In 2019, TNB Grid approached us again with a clear expectation of upgrading their Outage Management processes.
TNB Grid, a division of TNB Group responsible for Outage Management, is the operator of a high-voltage network in Peninsular Malaysia. With 462 substations, 25.000 kilometers of overhead lines, and 1321 power transformers in the system, the explicit goal is to become the leading grid entity, leveraging innovation, technology, and expertise and growing new business.
How did the Implementation Journey of CTIS v2.0 started?
TNB has been using the CTIS (Centralized Tripping Information System) at TNB Grid Division since 2001, mainly to record tripping information, track tripping action plans, and do performance analysis. At the end of 2017, they received information that the existing system will not be supported anymore. That was the trigger to start searching for a new system that would replace an old system and an upgrade for it.
Project Kick-off with IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management
Therefore,TNB selected IPS to provide an enhanced solution for managing outages. TNB’s main goal was to cover all significant assets and their history (especially those that carry loads) where tripping can happen. Whether it was a defect on the transformer, failure of a circuit breaker, tripping on the Overhead line, Cable interruptions, or replacement previously done due to poor manufacturing, they wanted to have all of it recorded in the system for better understanding. TNB subscribed to 100 user licenses for engineers in Grid Asset Management and Grid Maintenance, System Operators, and Grid Solution Expertise to address those needs.
At the beginning of the journey, three main objectives were defined. First oneto capture and record all root causes of the tripping and ensure rectification action is executed accordingly. Second one, to incorporate current best work practices by utilizing technology and integrating it into relevant available software platforms. Last one, to address the gap and limitation of the old CTIS system due to software obsolescence. They set out two major teams to meet the goals: the business side and a project team from the ICT side.
How TNB handles tripping management?
The first person who acknowledges outage through SCADA or the grid system operator starts the outage investigation and restoration cycle. The maintenance team receives a Work Order with all relevant information and proceeds with the restoration procedure in the field. Once it is normalized, data is updated to the CTIS system. It is shared with all departments to investigate further why an outage happened, what was done, and provide an expert view if they discover anything that needs further clarification. On the other side, a Tripping Committee, responsible for identifying root cause and discussing action plans to make sure tripping can be further reduced and how they can further improve their system, is evaluating a bigger perspective of the issue.
IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management as a solution
IPS®LUNA is a new version of the web-based platform of IPS®ENERGY, built using advanced web technologies to keep at the forefront of the Global Electricity Industry’s fast-changing needs, and the IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management module is part of it. TNB was one of the first customers to start using a newly developed system for Unplanned Outage management, and it played an important role in improving the system. The main advantages that TNB highlighted about the IPS®LUNA are its quick search and filtering options, which allow them to quickly find the desired tripping information and details. TNB has integrated IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management with several systems such as Data Lake (Cloudera), SOE (Sequence of Events) from SCADA, CAPE (directory connection to CAPE, where field workers can be immediately directed to a specific relay and its settings), ICOMS (TNB internal system for planned outages) and SAP (Locations, Assets, and Work Orders). “With the integration of the GIS system and the lightning detection system, TNB can use the lightning map from the TNB Research department to plot lightning points correlated with the geographical assets of their towers. This allows them to determine whether the tripping of the overhead line was caused by lightning, foreign interference, a tree fall, or any other reason.” TNB also benefits from Work Order Management to facilitate the execution of work orders directly in their SAP system. Field workers can immediately respond to outages following the work order assigned to them. It contains a direct link from CTIS (IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management) to APMS, where CTIS is one of the backend inputs to the health score of the APMS system.
Challenges during project implementation
Throughout the implementation of the project, we have faced several challenges. One of the most important and well-known is the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted the project, especially during the testing and commissioning phase. However, it was a positive disruption for everyone. We have shifted all activities to remote, overnight sessions, where the time difference posed an additional challenge. Despite this, the shift resulted in cost savings due to reduced travel and marked an important step towards a more sustainable and digital way of conducting business.
Another challenge for IPS was off-the-shelf solution vs. customization of the solution. TNB has used some features in their old system that they wanted to retain, but they have also followed IPS recommendations, incorporating best practices and experiences. IPS and TNB challenged each other to adopt the best solution for users by improving existing features and developing new ones. Lastly, TNB had to face another challenge within project implementation. In the past, they have been using Waterfall practice to implement projects, while IPS uses innovative Hybrid Agile (SCRUM)/Lean Project Management Methodology. This methodology emphasizes delivering an efficient solution quickly and within the planned budget. It reduces unnecessary project task documentation, significantly shortens meetings, and focuses on delivering beneficial functionalities with comprehensive knowledge transfer to the end-user.
The journey continues…
TNB is using IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management in its daily operations and successfully reducing its down-times. Currently, TNB is working on CTIS 2.0 enhancements, which are results of feedback that they are constantly receiving from employees that are using IPS®OMS Unplanned Outage Management. Their main goal for the future is to improve user experience based on feedback and identify all possible shortcuts to maximize user licenses.
IPS is on a mission to create an immediate digital future for Global Energy Supply. Thus, we are participating in the further tender for APMS Phase B. We look forward to new challenges and the continuation of TNB’s digital transformation.