Interface for Pipeline Analysis

Most utility companies use pipeline analyses for planning, simulations and for operating the network. In order to prevent data redundancy, ITS offers interfaces for Smallworld GIS and pipeline analysis programmes.

  • Smallworld interfaces for pipeline analyses
  • STANET is supported
  • OPTIPLAN is supported
  • sysHYD is supported
  • Neplan is supported

Product Description

Introduction

The ITS Informationstechnik Service GmbH offers interfaces for Smallworld GIS and various pipeline analyses programmes. Interfaces are available for the products STANET, OPTIPLAN and sysHYD. Thus, all widespread pipelines analysis software is supported in the German market. This includes the sectors gas, water and district heating.

Uniform Approach

Interfaces are implemented in a uniform approach. Users are guided through an identical navigation menu. This is especially important for companies where different analysis programmes are used for different pipeline sectors. The figure shows an overview of the solution’s architecture and data flow. Individual aspects are explained in the following paragraphs.

Smallworld Sector-Specific Data Models

ITS interfaces can be applied on any sector-specific Smallworld GIS data model. The solution is configurable for any data model. However, a prepared solution is already available and included for the Smallworld sector-specific data model for gas, water and district heating. As a result, these interfaces are ready to install for Smallworld sector-specific data models. Customer-specific configurations can also be implemented in customer projects.

Multi-Sector Grid Connections

Many companies already construct multi-sector grid connections on a regular basis. However, no Smallworld data model is available to depict these different sectors as one grouping. This is where the ITS module for multi-sector grid connections comes into play

SAP IS-U Pairing

Utility companies often manage consumption data in SAP IS-U. Thus, the ITS has gained a broad range of experience through their customer projects and installing the Smallworld GIS and SAP IS-U interface. This has the huge advantage that homogenous consumption and power grid data can be used for the power grid analysis

Executing a Pipeline Network Analysis

The ITS interface for pipeline network analyses is aimed at transferring relevant data based on a Smallworld GIS data model. This geoinformation can be imported into the pipeline analysis programme and is then combined with further data (e.g. consumption data). Alternatively, ITS interfaces for pipeline network analyses offer tools to directly transfer consumption data (e.g. from SAP IS-U) if this data is integrated into Smallworld GIS. The interface separates sectors accordingly, i.e. gas, water or district heating. Users can define an export area by drawing a rectangle, ploygon or selecting objects. Feature classes that are to be exported are specified by the user’s configuration. Subsequently, a data export is carried out according to manufacturers’ specifications. In order to derive network nodes and lines for a network analysis, data quality in Smallworld GIS has to meet certain standards. If these standards are met, editing work in the pipeline network analysis softare is reduced. Some data requirements include a topologically correct network in Smallworld GIS, correct relationships between pipeline sections and individual components, using plant nodes to connect supply plants to the network as well as a unique ID, road name and house number for ALK buildings. Standard data models of the pipeline network analysis programme are used to carry out evaluations. These data models are adapted to Smallworld GIS sector-specific data models in order to correctly link information. ITS interfaces can be configured in case customer-specific data model extensions are implemented. An ASCII file and statistic files are created during each export.

URN Manager

Furthermore, ITS interfaces can provide a unique Smallworld URN (Uniform Resource Name) if the manufacturer’s format supports this feature. As a result, every Smallworld object can be identified easily using this URN. A special menu for the URN Manager is available in Smallworld GIS.

STANET

The ITS Smallworld STANET interface allows users to transfer Smallworld GIS data to the STANET network analysis programme. The current version supports a one-directional path from Smallworld GIS to the STANET gas, water and district heating (including meter points) sectors. In addition, ESN sectors are taken into account. A fundamental philosophy is to use existing data formats to transfer data. Thus, the STANET format SDF/CSV is implemented. The delivery includes standard configurations for easy-to-use and quick application. It is possible to adapt the interface for customer extensions.

The current STANET version supports the following feature classes: pipelines, nodes, inflection points, valves, outlets, controllers, pumps, containers, passage containers, recipients, hydrants, wells, damages, plants, heat exchangers, producers, measurement points, measurement data and elevation points.

Furthermore, the following objects can be provided for grid connections: grid connection pipelines, grid connection nodes, grid connection inflexion points, connections, grid connection valves, grid connection meters and buildings. It is possible to exclude objects with certain features and to take customer-specific methods into account when conducting data exports.

OPTIPLAN

The ITS interface for Smallworld OPTIPLAN enables users to transfer Smallworld GIS data to the Optiplan network analysis programme. The current version supports a one-directional path from Smallworld GIS to the OPTIPLAN gas and water sectors. A fundamental philosophy is to use existing data formats for data transfers. This GIS data export method is defined by the manufacturer. The delivery includes standard configurations for easy-to-use and quick application. It is possible to adapt the interface for customer extensions. The current OPTIPLAN version supports the following feature classes: pipelines, supply sources, consumption, bulk recipients, heights and hydrants. It is possible to exclude objects with certain features and to take customer-specific methods into account when carrying out data exports.

SINCAL/Neplan

The ITS interface suite also supports SINCAL and Neplan pipeline network analyses programmes.

sysHYD

The ITS interface for Smallworld sysHYD allows users to transfer Smallworld GIS data to the sysHYD network analysis programme.

The current version supports a one-directional path from Smallworld GIS to the sysHYD gas, water and district heating sectors. A fundamental philosophy is to use existing data formats for data transfers. The delivery includes standard configurations for easy-to-use and quick application. It is possible to adapt the interface for customer extensions. The current sysHYD version supports the following feature classes: pipelines, nodes, valves, outlets, supply sources and meters. It is possible to exclude objects with certain features and to take customer-specific methods into account when conducting data exports.