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In addition to the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, the energy sector is also becoming increasingly important for CTE. Through projects for IWB, Primeo, and EBL, we have already gained experience in this field in recent years. With the Gasverbund Mittelland (GVM), we have now added our first project in the gas sector.
Fabian Meury
Even though this is a new industry for us, many of the requirements are similar to those in other projects: systems must operate reliably, be easy to use, and be maintainable and scalable over the long term. This is precisely the kind of engineering expertise we were able to bring to GVM.
GVM’s previous wayfinding system had been in use since 2016 and had operated stably and reliably. Over the years, however, numerous customizations and special solutions had been implemented. At the same time, migrating to a new version would have entailed significant technological and financial costs.
In addition, there were new requirements regarding user interface, data processing, and system architecture. Therefore, the goal was to find a modern and maintainable solution that would preserve existing functionality, enable intuitive operation, and at the same time remain open to future expansions and third-party systems.
zenon was chosen as the basis for the new wayfinding system. The platform offers the flexibility needed to meet customer-specific requirements and is well-suited for use in energy and infrastructure environments.
Following the design phase, the solution was initially implemented as a proof of concept with two stations. The system was further developed in collaboration with GVM and subsequently integrated station by station.
An important part of the project was the parallel operation of the existing and new control systems. This allowed the new solution to be introduced gradually and tested under real-world conditions. Until the final switchover, the existing system ensures reliable monitoring and control of the facilities. No additional physical servers were required for this: The new system runs virtually on the existing control system infrastructure.
Standardization was also a key focus in the engineering phase. Reusable templates, smart objects, and a custom-developed variable generator simplified implementation while also improving long-term maintainability. Peripheral systems were integrated via standardized interfaces.
Today, the new guidance system comprises approximately 34,000 data points, 98 stations or locations, and two connected peripheral systems.
The new solution also offers improvements for operators. A map view provides a comprehensive overview of the entire pipeline network, while clearer visualization and an improved alarm overview make it easier to navigate the system and help locate faults more quickly.
In the long term, the system is designed so that GVM can handle a large portion of its own operations and further development.
