Smart Grid connectivity made easy with SG-gateways

12th July 2017

Anna Flockett

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New IXXAT SG-gateways from HMS Industrial Networks enable data exchange between infrastructure and energy networks based on IEC61850 or IEC60870-5-104, and common fieldbus and industrial Ethernet systems. While industrial communication between devices and systems is typically done with fieldbus and industrial Ethernet, modern infrastructure and energy networks are based upon other protocol standards such as IEC61850 and IEC60870-5-104.

The new IXXAT SG-gateways from HMS address the increasing need for data exchange between these two worlds, offering a wide protocol coverage and easy integration. The SG-gateways focus on applications requiring a connection between the IEC61850 or IEC60870-5-104 protocols, and popular industrial, building and metering standards such as Modbus RTU (master/slave), Modbus-TCP (client/server), PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, M-Bus, along with digital I/O’s.

In addition to data transmission via Ethernet, the SG-gateways also optionally offer data transmission via 3G modem, enabling wireless connection to e.g. control rooms.

Flexible use in a wide range of emerging applications
The SG-gateways are suitable for all applications using the IEC61850 or IEC60870-5-104 protocol, and where users want to achieve straight-forward remote control, efficient electrical system management or easy access to application and power consumption data. The SG-gateways can be used to connect SCADA systems with industrial devices and machines in the field, serve as gateways between individual power producers and energy management software in Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and demand-response applications, or as means to enable a connection from IEDs (Intelligent Electrical Devices) to PLC systems from various automation vendors. Furthermore, the SG-gateways are fitting for water/wastewater management, within district heating and gas networks, or within rail network systems.

Special focus on easy integration and configuration
The SG-gateways are easily configured and programmed using the WEB-PLC-Tool, a PLC software with a web-based programming interface. With the graphical editor of the WEB-PLC, function diagrams can be processed intuitively and quickly – similar to the well-known CFCs (Continuous Function Charts). Thanks to a powerful 32-bit processor platform, the SG-gateway can process up to 8192 variables. As a result, the gateway can be used without restrictions in complex systems with a multiplicity of signals and messages as well as a high data throughput.

SG-gateways form the core of new IXXAT Energy portfolio
Previous versions of the SG-gateways were available as Anybus gateways from HMS, already successfully used in numerous applications worldwide. However, the new revised and powerful SG-gateways will carry the IXXAT brand, forming the core of the new IXXAT Energy product range from HMS.