How do you run a country-scale power distribution network across islands, mountains, dense tropics and remote villages – all while supporting multiple SCADA protocols and long multi-hop radio routes? PLN found the answer in RipEX and M!DGE.
https//www.racom.eu/eng/case/ripex-and-mdge-power-plns-scada-network
Challenge: Reliable Communication Across Indonesia’s Harsh and Remote Terrains
PLN, Indonesia’s national electricity company, has supplied power across the archipelago for more than 50 years. With geography spanning tropical rainforests, steep mountains and isolated islands, reliable SCADA communication is a significant challenge.
In Sulawesi’s Makassar district – home to more than 2 million people – PLN needed a modern, robust solution for:
- Hybrid radio–cellular communication
- Long-distance coverage requiring up to four repeating hops
- Integration of IEC101, IEC104 and DNP3 in one network
- A mix of reclosers and RTUs from multiple vendors
- High reliability in extreme heat and humidity
Solution: Hybrid RipEX 300 MHz and M!DGE Network Designed for Tropical Power Distribution
Working closely with RACOM’s Indonesian partner PT Surya Total Pertiwi, PLN deployed a hybrid network combining RipEX radio modems and M!DGE cellular routers.
Why RipEX was selected over competing solutions:
- Only RipEX could reach the most distant endpoints using unlimited repeaters
- Any remote station can simultaneously act as a repeater
- Outstanding robustness and RF performance in tropical terrain
- Full interoperability with IEC101, IEC104 and DNP3 via Flexible protocol
- Proven reliability at extreme temperatures – successfully field-tested at +70 °C
RipEX is used across the network for both reclosers and RTUs, while M!DGE is deployed in selected areas for recloser applications. A single SCADA system manages the entire system regardless of communication type.
A central terminal server allows seamless integration of Ethernet and serial RTUs from five different manufacturers: ABB, Nulec, Cooper, Survalent and Kwang Myung.
Results: A Scalable, Multi-Protocol, Tropical-Ready SCADA Network
The hybrid RipEX + M!DGE network delivers:
- Reliable communication across long, complex radio paths
- Simultaneous multi-master applications using multiple SCADA protocols
- Flexible topology that supports future expansion across Indonesia
- Robust performance under high humidity and extreme temperatures
During Phase 1 in 2016, 66 RipEX units and 3 RipEX-HS base stations were installed. The full project is expected to exceed 500 sites.
Mr. Irwinho Harlim, CEO of PT Surya Total Pertiwi:
“This tender is one of many where we succeed thanks to RipEX. PLN has been using RipEX for years with excellent results. Both PLN and our company truly appreciate RACOM’s pre-sales and post-sales support.“
