KEMA will emphasize the critical importance of technology interoperability, risk mitigation, and performance validation in modernizing electrical grids at DistribuTECH 2012, Jan. 24–26, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

KEMA will highlight the grid, operations, and IT to help customers integrate and test disparate smart grid elements, through technical demonstrations at booth #659 in the main exhibit hall. KEMA consultants will also participate in panel discussions and presentations during the show’s technical programs.

KEMA will showcase its new Smart Grid Interop Lab, designed to advance and safeguard investments in smart grid, through interoperability, compliance and performance testing. Using its self-developed UniCA 61850 Conformance Test Set, KEMA will show the communication interface of a device under normal, error, and stress situations. KEMA is the only organization in the world to be recognized by the Utility Communications Architecture (UCA) users group as a Class A (third-party independent) testing lab for IEC 61850 compliance. IEC 61850 is an international standard for communication networks and systems in substations. It provides a highly functional, object-oriented solution to support the implementation and maintenance of substation automation applications.

In addition, KEMA will discuss and demonstrate how to extract greater reliability and value from smart grid technologies with its CASCADE suite of integrated diagnostic modules, which improve asset management, reliability, and regulatory compliance for the office and the field.  CASCADE continuously assesses criticality; health; and risk (CHR), based on technical asset data; inspections; diagnostics; and online monitoring data. Integration with OSISoft, Doble, Delta-X, FLIR, Enoserv, ESRI, and ERP eliminates redundant or disparate databases.

Attendees will also be able to see KEMA’s Line Optimization & Analysis Database (LOAD) solution. LOAD is a comprehensive system to calculate, manage, and report facility ratings for engineering, operations, planning, and compliance (NERC FAC-008/-009), including secure approval.

KEMA experts will present on a variety of smart grid topics:

• Ron Chebra, vice president, Management Operations and Consulting—“Communication System Fundamentals and Their Uses for the Smart Grid/AMI/DR Applications: What’s Your Channel?”

• Craig Bialy, principal consultant—“Advanced Meter Data and Its Impact on Utility Revenue Protection Activities”

• Tom Myers, principal consultant—“Hawaiian Electric Company's Approach to Managing Critical Transformers”

• Brian Pugliese, senior principal consultant—“Risk Mitigation for the System Device Lifecycle”

And, finally, KEMA will offer an interactive quiz to test visitors’ knowledge of smart grid trivia and technologies. All participants will have a chance to win an iPad 2.