ATLANTA, July 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Control Systems (ACS), a leading global provider of smart grid solutions to the electric power industry, announced today the general availability of its FASTapps(tm) solution for electric utilities.
ACS developed its feeder automation and substation technology applications (FASTapps) with active input from its customer base of over 250 utilities. During system production testing at a leading investor-owned utility in the northeast, ACS documented a wide range of benefits for utilities seeking a cost-effective approach to smart grid strategy.
FASTapps consolidates network intelligence and the power of distributed application logic into a highly-secure, substation-based data concentrator that automates network "islands" sized to meet the needs of the utility. Based on open-standards integration, FASTapps supports ACS DMS applications, as well as applications from other system vendors. It includes optional volt/VAR control capabilities that reduce distribution system losses, improve power factor, and minimize voltage drops.
The system provides utilities with model-derived feeder automation that leverages installed infrastructure investments by working in real time with existing switches and protection schemes. FASTapps fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) automatically executes feeder reconfigurations that slash restoration times to less than 20 seconds and dramatically reduce overall customer outage times (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI) during system events.
FASTapps quickly isolates faults and restores power upstream and downstream by analyzing and automatically executing switching schemes to maximize restored load. It also analyzes load reduction, load transfer and partial restoration options. Since FASTapps FDIR uses a continuously updated network model, it works straight through storm conditions that precipitate multiple faults and network reconfigurations.
ACS president David Moore remarked, "FASTapps offers utilities a cost-effective approach that combines automation and distributed software intelligence to create self-healing distribution systems that improve customer service and reliability." ACS director of marketing Gary Ockwell added, "Utilities are excited about FASTapps because it delivers self-healing distribution system capability in support of a smart grid strategy that doesn't break the bank or lock them into a single system automation provider."
About Advanced Control Systems:
Established in 1975, Advanced Control Systems (ACS), Inc. is a leading provider of smart grid solutions to the global electric power industry. The ACS software suite provides integrated distribution and outage management, simulation, optimization, and enterprise business intelligence. ACS automation product lines include a wide range of flexible and cost-effective substation, distribution, and feeder automation solutions. ACS is powering the utility of the future -- today. For more information, visit www.acsatlanta.com.