Nilo Peçanha HPP

Modernization of the DCS

Altus was responsible for the retrofit of the Digital Supervision and Control System (SDSC) of the Nilo Peçanha Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE), one of the most important plants in Brazil.

Development of a new digital supervision and control system

Commissioned in 1953, the Nilo Peçanha Hydroelectric Power Plant was built as part of the Lajes Hydroelectric Complex, located in the municipality of Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Equipped with six generating units and a 312-meter hydraulic head, the plant has an installed capacity of 380 MW.

In 2016, Light Energia initiated the modernization of the plant’s Digital Supervisory and Control System using Altus automation technology. The project includes the implementation of new data acquisition and control logic, as well as a new supervisory system. It also provides full remote monitoring and control capabilities to Light’s Generation Operations Center (COG) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Remote Supervision and Control

Remote Supervision and Control

Reduction in space and wiring, resulting in increased reliability, cost savings, and enhanced supervision and control capabilities

Enhanced Productivity

Enhanced Productivity

Boosted operational efficiency across the entire system, lowering costs and improving response times

Reliability and Durability

Reliability and Durability

A robust communication system with enhanced diagnostics. An open, easy-to-maintain supervisory system

High Availability

High Availability

Minimized downtime through fast fault detection and identification

Process supervision and control solution

Process supervision and control solution

The typical architecture of a UAC consists of an 18-position main rack, the HX9003, which can contain up to two redundant HX8320 125Vdc power supplies, two redundant HX3040 processing units that communicate via DNP3 Ethernet protocol, and twelve HX1120 digital input cards with 32 digital inputs. Each CPU connects to an Ethernet port on its respective RS900 switch, arranged in a redundant ring in the automation network. These CPUs receive IRIG-B synchronization through the Reason RT-412 optical to electrical IRIG-B signal converter. The CPUs also receive MODBUS-RTU signals from the electrical quantity multimeter. The speed regulator and voltage regulator are each connected to a switch on the panel.

The second rack, also an HX9003 model, has two HX8320 power supplies that connect the expansion to the other racks via two standard Ethernet cables, three HX1120 cards, four HX2320 digital output cards with 16 outputs each, and seven HX6000 analog cards, configurable with current or voltage input and 16 inputs.

The third 9-position HX9001 rack has two HX8320 power supplies connected via two Ethernet cables, and six HX6020 RTD input modules with 8 inputs each.

Reliable communication networks

Reliable communication networks

The topology incorporates a dual redundant ring network to maximize availability. Special switches with dual optical ports interconnect the rings, ensuring that the plant continues operating through the redundant ring in the event of a failure on one side

System highlights

System highlights

The system includes event logging with 1 ms precision for all digital input points and 100 ms precision for all analog inputs, along with a dual redundant optical ring network to enhance security and improve communication between the Autonomous Units (UAs) and the supervisory system.

It also features redundant servers for supervision, a redundant database system, satellite (GPS) synchronization of the UAs, and the provision of data and event information to the ONS.

Additionally, the solution incorporates an oscillography and monitoring system as well as a redundant protection relay.

Scope of the system provided

Scope of the system provided

The scope includes the replacement of the existing SAITEL 2000 PLCs of UACs UG11, UG12, UG13, UG14, UG15, UG16, SE, and SA with HX Series UTRs installed on a mounting plate, with all existing logic fully transferred to the new controllers.

It also includes the supply of a complete SCADA supervisory system, comprising screens, commands, reports, and an alarms and events center; the supply of switches for implementing a dual optical ring network; the provision of a synchronization relay for the two existing lines in the substation, which operates with a single busbar; and the supply of two standard 19” rack servers.

Scope of the services provided

Scope of the services provided

The scope includes the delivery of the Executive and Software engineering projects, integration with the existing water intake UAC through a single-mode fiber-optic connection with at least one spare pair, using the IEC 104 protocol, execution of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and field commissioning of the supplied system, training for system maintenance and operation, and the preparation of all required documentation, including updates to the plant’s records reflecting the changes introduced by the new system.