May 27, 2004
Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI) announces a new release of its OpenOTS™, Operator Training Simulator software code named ARISTOTLE™. OpenOTS is a tool that enables electric utilities to achieve realistic simulations as required by the North American Reliability Council (NERC) for all Operators and Reliability Coordinators. Following the August 14, 2003 large-scale blackout, NERC performed root-cause studies and established specific actions for control areas throughout the bulk electric system that it governs. Hands-on operator training using realistic system simulations was established as a specific action and a key required technical initiative.
OpenOTS uses state-of-the-art modeling that accurately reflects the dynamic nature of power system devices and their direct impact on system conditions. Dynamic modeling of generators, loads and compensation devices, as well as static network equipment and relay actions, deliver immediate and realistic system response to the trainee. Surrounding control areas, their actions and resulting responses are incorporated into the overall system model allowing the trainee to experience the impacts of coupled control areas.
OpenOTS provides a realistic time-based simulation that is perfect for exposing Operators to real-life scenarios. Although decoupled from the online system, OpenOTS runs within the Energy Management System (EMS) environment, replacing the field communications front end with a realistic simulation. All other elements of the EMS environment remain intact allowing the trainee to access the exact user interface and application tools that are used in the online system. With OSI's commitment to design grounded in the open and truly distributed architecture, OpenOTS is easily adaptable to any Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environment. Not only can users of the OSI monarch™ SCADA/EMS platform take advantage of OpenOTS, but users of other SCADA/EMS systems can benefit as well using a Simulated Control Center environment.
"In the post August 14 Blackout era, as recommended by NERC, electric utilities of all sizes require more realistic and formal hands-on training of their operators in dealing with emergency system conditions. A realistic but easy to use and operate commercial grade Training Simulator such as the ARISTOTLE release of our OpenOTS product has been long overdue in the utility industry and can be used as an important part of any utility's training program," said David Greene, OSI Principal Consultant and Product Manager of Transmission Systems.
OSI (www.osii.com) provides open, state-of-the-art, and high-performance automation solutions to electric utilities worldwide. These solutions include Energy Management Systems (EMS), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems, and Generation Management Systems (GMS), as well as individual software products and e-business solutions for electric utility operations. OSI is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
For additional information regarding this news release please contact news@osii.com.
