ADVA announced that Portland General Electric (PGE) is deploying Oscilloquartz PTP grandmaster clock technology, incorporating multi-band GNSS receivers, as it upgrades to packet-based synchronization and protects its network against GNSS vulnerabilities and cyberattacks, while conforming to PNT Executive Order 13905.
PGE, one of the largest power utilities in the Western United States, is using ADVA scalable timing solution to enable a smooth transition from legacy synchronization, ensure new levels of accuracy, reliability and resiliency and to timestamp data and control grid substations at the edge. With multi-band GNSS receivers and AI-powered threat detection, ADVA’s assured PNT (aPNT) platform helps maintain resilient timing, even in challenging circumstances such as deliberate jamming and spoofing attacks. Easy to install and operate, the solution also provides multi-source backup, including Precision Time Protocol (PTP) network timing and in-device holdover oscillators for when GNSS signals are unavailable or disrupted.
PGE’s new timing infrastructure will distribute stable and accurate frequency, phase and time-of-day information between its power infrastructure data points, including phasor measurement units (PMUs), intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and substation LAN architectures for automation system applications, supporting rapid decision-making and automated assurance.
A PMU estimates the magnitude and phase angle of an electrical phasor quantity (such as voltage or current) in the electricity grid using a common time source for synchronization. PMUs can also be used to measure the frequency in the power grid.
The solution is built on the OSA 5410 and OSA 5420 Series of edgeSync+ grandmaster clocks. It features multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receivers and supports multiple PTP profiles, including substation power and core telecom backup sync, while also allowing conversion between them and supporting legacy interfaces. The products are part of ADVA’s new aPNT platform, integrating threat detection, multi-source backup and ADVA’s intelligent Ensemble Sync Director.
Oscilloquartz was founded in 1949 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. In 2014, Oscilloquartz was acquired by ADVA.
“Precise and resilient synchronization is increasingly vital in the power industry. By harnessing new time-sensitive applications and building smarter energy infrastructure, we can offer even more to customers across our region. ADVA’s Oscilloquartz technology will be a key tool as we continue to lead the way to a more sustainable and affordable energy future for our community,” said John Lozano, senior telecommunications engineer, PGE.
“ADVA’s OSA 5420 Series supports our existing synchronization services while also enabling packet time distribution all the way to the edge of our network. With its GPS jamming and spoofing detection, it provides a robust yet cost-efficient defense against cyber threats.”
“We’re proud that PGE is leveraging our synchronization technology and the support of our team as it makes the shift to next-generation timing. With its compact and environmentally friendly design, our technology will bring protected synchronization to the edge of PGE’s network, enhancing efficiency and enabling it to take advantage of emerging smart grid applications,” commented John Scherzinger, SVP, sales, Americas, ADVA. “PGE’s new solution will deliver the nanosecond accuracy and the levels of timing availability required by tomorrow’s power utilities. It features aPNT capabilities, our centralized GNSS monitoring and assurance tool for predictive maintenance, and our multi-band receivers with the power to compensate for ionospheric delay variations and protect against GNSS vulnerabilities.”
