MICROSENS xWDM technology optimizes data transmission at lofty heights: AMPRION controls the electricity grid with its own optical fibers

Complexity needs bandwidth: New concept sought

The demands placed on data network capacity rose continuously with the liberalization of the European electricity market. This high utilization increased the risk of network failure – a solution was imperative. Establishing completely new physical connections would have been extremely costly and time-consuming. Amprion’s IT Team decided for another technology: wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). Among other benefits the parallel transmission of several light frequencies on an existing fiber pair would save the cost of installing of new cables.

In the quest for a suitable solution, the IT Team led by Burkhard Laumann developed an ambitious list of requirements:

• Future-proof solution: Flexibility in further expansion#

• Highly robust devices with high levels of failure safety

• Systems should offer backup options

• Fast reaction times from the manufacturer in response questions

• Excellent understanding of the application on the manufacturer's part

• Immediate ability to supply all functionalities resulting from short project times

• Good value for money

With its Optical Transport Platform concept, MICROSENS managed to best fulfill these criteria and won the tender that Amprion implemented. Within a few months, the manufacturer installed MSP 1000 and MSP 3000 type modular network solutions in the transformer stations. Burkhard Laumann, Amprion’s Head of Telecommunication Technology explained "WDM planning is not a trivial matter, it demands a profound understanding of the subject matter. The competent employees from MICROSENS made an essential contribution such that we were able to switch to WDM so quickly." Amprion's specification of relying solely on optical amplifiers, even over large distances, proved to be a challenge, even here the engineers at MICROSENS found an optimal solution and the deployment at Amprior is proof.

Capacities to match demand: Wavelength-division multiplexing forms an ideal basis

Overall, the existing data network capacities could be increased many times over. The network has worked reliably and without malfunctions since the installation of the Optical Transport Platform in 2011. Physically, the three control centers are configured in a triangle whose longest side measures around 1,000 kilometers. The total length of the xWDM transmission line amounts to approximately 1,800 km. A ring structure was selected for the network, which was designed to be fully redundant. Failures in several sections can therefore be bridged.