Colombian Utility Chooses Remote Connectivity Technology

Red Lion Controls has worked with distributor Facelco S.A.S. to provide a remote connectivity solution for Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM) in Colombia, a multi-utility and telco company focusing on power generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, wastewater treatment, aqueducts and telecommunications. The combined Red Lion/Facelco industrial-grade remote connectivity solution provides monitoring and control throughout EPM’s power distribution network.

EPM turned to Red Lion and Facelco to enable remote connectivity capabilities for its power distribution infrastructure of reclosers. With multiple locations, the multi-utility company was looking for a flexible solution to monitor and interact with legacy equipment across its distributed network infrastructure. By using a remote connectivity solution that combines Red Lion’s Sixnet series industrial RTUs and cellular routers with a network analyzer from Facelco, EPM can connect, monitor and control its existing recloser network. This upgrade enables EPM to lower overall total cost of ownership by extending the life of its infrastructure and preserving CAPEX expenditures for other projects.

"The primary benefit for EPM was implementing a solution that would extend the life of its existing recloser network. This remote connectivity solution allowed them to extend the life of existing legacy equipment, which can last 15 to 20 years, as well as increase control of the network," said Alejandro Arango, engineering director at Facelco. "By working with Red Lion and Facelco, EPM was able to cost-effectively improve network control, maximize availability and protect its network investment."

The remote connectivity solution includes Red Lion IndustrialPro cellular routers that deliver wireless DNP-3 connectivity to RTUs that act as a controller. This deployment enables EPM to remotely connect and communicate with its power distribution system. In addition, Facelco network analyzers provide real-time diagnostics that allow EPM to proactively respond to conditions to ensure system integrity and network uptime.

"With a number of different types of equipment deployed throughout Colombia, EPM's power distribution system needed to be constantly monitored to ensure customers receive continuous, uninterrupted service," said Stuart Eaton, vice president of CALA sales for Red Lion. "The combined Red Lion/Facelco solution not only ensures the network is running efficiently, it also enables EPM to save time and money by eliminating expensive truck rolls to remote locations."

Source: Red Lion Controls