Distribution Services

If you don’t have a map, it can be difficult to get from Point A to Point B effectively. That’s not only true for summer car trips, but also for electric distribution systems. Distribution mapping and planning helps CMPAS members experience meaningful operational and financial benefits.

Knowing the importance of accurate and up-to-date maps, CMPAS actively helps utilities transition away from static, paper-based, CAD-generated distribution maps to dynamic electronic maps. Electronic maps allow members to visualize in real-time the operation of their distribution systems and see how well they are operating.

Distribution Technology Platforms

At the core of CMPAS’s digital utility systems are three major platforms – SCADA, Beehive and Windmil.

SCADA

SCADA is the first step to helping utilities improve their network’s reliability and performance. SCADA gives members a better understanding of their electric systems history and the performance of each physical asset on the system – including substations, transformers, overhead lines, underground lines, capacitor banks, relays, and more.

BEEHIVE

Beehive builds upon the SCADA foundation. Beehive helps utilities map their electric assets, improve power factor, and better plan for future system additions. Transitioning to digital asset management tools like Beehive reduces the risks associated with relying on outdated paper system maps.

WINDMIL

Windmil acts as the modeling and analytics nerve center of a distribution system. By harnessing the analytical power of Windmil CMPAS can efficiently and accurately conduct power flow and voltage drop modelling, reliability analyses, contingency and sectionalizing studies, short circuit and fault current calculations, arc flash hazard analyses, and much more. In a nutshell, Windmil helps utilities make better informed decisions, based on solid data and analytics.

Woman Using Software

How Our Distribution Technology Interacts

SCADA Graph

Ron Speaking
“CMPAS is really looking to the future, the digital upgrades they have installed on my system — SCADA and Beehive — help me sleep better at night. I can operate my system better using the detailed data those systems provide.”

Ron Melson, electric superintendent of Mountain Lake

Tim by Solar Panel
“A few years ago, when our system was bumping up against the limits of our transformer capacity, our consulting engineer recommended building a new substation at the cost of about $2 million; we called Vignesh at CMPAS to see if he had a better idea.”

He did, and his recommendation deferred a $2 million capital cost for Blue Earth and its customers.

Tim Stoner, Blue Earth Light and Water General Manager

CMPAS Board Member
“CMPAS really shines because they help us on a customized, individual basis. For example, Blue Earth has an overhead system, and capacitor banks can make a huge difference there. But Janesville’s system is almost entirely underground. Capacitor banks are less important to us than conducting a fuse coordination study and designing and placing fault indicators, so we can shorten power-restoration times when we have an outage.”

Nate Zimmerman, General Manager of Janesville Municipal Utilities

CMPAS Members Benefit from Advanced Digital Technology

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