Systems and methods for providing modular telemetry and control for sensors and devices in an electric power grid

Abstract

A telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices includes modular telemetry and control units, each having a module slot. Electro-optical modules, each having a photodetector and an analog-to-digital converter, are installable in the module slots. The electro-optical modules are configured to receive optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid and decode the optical or electrical signals to generate received data. The modular telemetry and control unit is configured to receive the received data from the electro-optical modules, apply a data model to the received data to generate telemetry data, and transmit the telemetry data to a remote computer system over a network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 381,458, filed October 28, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing telemetry and control for sensors and devices in an electrical power grid via a modular telemetry and control system. [Background technology]

[0003] Numerous technologies exist for monitoring critical infrastructure such as the power grid. Traditional systems include wire-based voltage and current sensors that rely on inductive and capacitive sensors to monitor voltage or current levels. The voltage and current sensors are coupled to an associated data processing unit, which is required to convert the measured inductance and / or capacitance into the voltage or current values ​​measured by the sensors. The sensors are connected to the associated data processing unit via copper wires. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such wired monitoring systems have a number of limitations. For example, they have reliability issues and are not as accurate as newer sensors (typical accuracy is about ±2%). The measurement accuracy of such systems is affected by temperature changes. For example, signals transmitted over long distances in copper wires are degraded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Particular aspects are set out in the accompanying independent claims, with various alternative embodiments set out in the dependent claims.

[0006] In one aspect, the disclosed embodiment provides a method for telemetry and control for power grid sensors and devices via a telemetry and control system including electro-optical modules installed in modular telemetry and control units. Each of the modular telemetry and control units includes a processor and memory in communication with an electro-optical module installed therein. Each of the electro-optical modules includes one or more photodetectors and one or more analog-to-digital converters. The method includes receiving, by the electro-optical modules, optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid, the electro-optical modules being in communication with the modular telemetry and control units. The method further includes decoding the optical or electrical signals to generate received data. The method further includes receiving, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control units, the received data from the electro-optical modules. The method further includes applying, by the processor of the modular telemetry and control units, a first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data. The method further includes transmitting, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, the telemetry data over a network to a remote computer system.

[0007] In another aspect, the disclosed embodiments provide a telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices. The system includes modular telemetry and control units, each including a processor and associated memory and having a module slot. The system further includes electro-optical modules installable in the module slots of the modular telemetry and control units to communicate with their respective processors. Each of the electro-optical modules includes one or more photodetectors and one or more analog-to-digital converters. Each of the one or more photodetectors communicates with one of the one or more analog-to-digital converters. The electro-optical modules are configured to receive optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid and decode the optical or electrical signals to generate received data. Each processor of the modular telemetry and control units is configured to receive the received data from the electro-optical modules, apply a first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data, and transmit the telemetry data over a network to a remote computer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for a telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices, according to disclosed embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modular telemetry and control unit according to a disclosed embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electro-optical module according to disclosed embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for providing telemetry and control for power grid sensors and devices via a telemetry and control system according to disclosed embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Furthermore, some of the blocks shown in the figures may be combined into one function.

[0010] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present teachings. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the approaches taught herein and the exemplary embodiments provided herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the approaches and techniques taught herein.

[0011] Conventional data processing units used in monitor and control systems for power grids typically have specialized functionality that is limited to accepting analog, wireless, or optical sensor types, does not allow the system to be digitally reconfigured to emulate the behavior of other equipment, and does not have a modular design to accept the numerous signal types that provide the measurements needed to condition monitoring of critical utility infrastructure.

[0012] Other grid monitoring technologies that address the issues associated with wired systems include wireless monitoring technologies. These wireless monitoring systems are clamped to power line cables and obtain energy for operation directly from the lines. Unlike wired monitoring technologies, wireless monitoring systems that monitor voltage and current do not transmit data over copper wires but instead rely on wireless communications, such as cellular signals. Wireless sensors used in wireless condition monitoring for power grids also suffer from reliability limitations. For example, wireless transmission requires the sensors to incorporate electromagnetic field-sensitive electronics in environments where very strong electromagnetic fields are inevitably present, which can affect the overall reliability of such systems.

[0013] Optical sensors offer numerous advantages over wired and wireless monitoring systems. For example, optical sensors offer greater accuracy, greater reliability, and easier methods for temperature compensation. Unlike wired and wireless technologies, optical sensors rely on analog optical telemetry for data transmission. Analog optical telemetry offers numerous advantages over copper wire and wireless data transmission. For example, optical signals do not suffer significant signal degradation when transmitted over long distances in the same manner as copper wire. Additionally, optical systems do not require sensors to contain electronics that are sensitive to electromagnetic fields in environments where strong electromagnetic fields are inevitably present, such as power grids. While analog telemetry offers advantages over other signal transmission methods, the advantages can be compromised by poor connection quality.

[0014] Conventional types of data processing units for use in monitoring and controlling power grids typically have analog, wireless, or optical sensor types and have specialized functions that do not allow the system to be easily reconfigured. Furthermore, such systems do not have the capacity to accept the multiple signal types that provide the measurements needed to condition the monitoring of critical utility infrastructure.

[0015] The disclosed embodiments provide a modular telemetry and control system that can collect data and send control signals to various sensors and devices installed on the power grid. The systems are interconnected through a cloud-based system and can interact with a SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition)-based system.

[0016] 1 shows a system 100 for a telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices. The system includes multiple modular telemetry and control (MTC) units 110 installed at locations in a power grid 115 near the equipment 120 to be monitored and controlled, e.g., sensors 130 and devices 140. For example, the MTC units 110 are installed on utility poles on which the sensors 130 and / or other devices 140 are installed. The MTC units 110 may communicate with a remote computer system 150 over a network 160, e.g., an Internet Protocol-based network. In an embodiment, the remote computer system 150 may be a network or system having a cloud architecture, including one or more servers and various other devices, e.g., a database storage system 170 and related devices.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a modular telemetry and control (MTC) unit 110. Each MTC unit 110 includes a housing 200 containing at least one processor 210 with associated memory 215 and a number of module slots 220. In an embodiment, the housing may be a full-size rack housing (i.e., 19 inches wide). An electro-optical module 230, described in further detail below, is installable in the module slot 220 of the modular telemetry and control unit 110 for communication with the respective processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 via a bus, e.g., a backplane 225, in the housing 200. As described further below, various other types of modules are installed in the module slot 220 so that the MTC unit 110 can perform a wide array of telemetry and control functions in various system environments.

[0018] In an embodiment, in addition to or instead of the electro-optical module 230 described above, individual modules are used for specific types of measurements, such as an optical voltage sensor (not shown), an optical current sensor (not shown), an electrical voltage sensor (not shown), and an electrical current sensor (not shown). As described above, a target data store is configured to store contextual data associated with telemetry data received from the MTC unit 110, such as weather data, power grid usage, usage history, status information, and equipment installation and maintenance information. Various types of modules configured to receive and / or output such data may be installed in the MTC unit 110, such as a position sensor 235 (e.g., a global positioning system), a time sensor 240, and a weather sensor 245. Other types of modules, such as an external / battery power module 250 capable of receiving external power input and / or providing battery power, e.g., a rechargeable battery, are installed to provide specific functions useful for operating the MTC unit 110. Communication cards such as digital / analog transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) cards 260 are installed that may provide various types of wired and / or wireless data communications, e.g., Ethernet, fiber optic data network, and / or cellular network communications. The various installed modules are connected to the processor and memory of the MTC unit 110 via a backplane 225.

[0019] In embodiments, electro-optical modules 230 may be cards, such as peripheral component interconnect (PCI) cards, each inserted into slot 220 such that connector 222 on the edge of electro-optical module 230 connects to backplane 225. In embodiments, backplane 225 is located on the interior rear wall or bottom interior surface of MTC unit 110. These configurations allow electro-optical modules to be "hot swapped," i.e., installed and removed while the system is operational.

[0020] 3 shows a schematic diagram of electro-optical modules 230. Each of the electro-optical modules 230 includes one or more photodetectors 310 configured to receive an analog optical signal from an optical input 315 of the electro-optical module 230 and convert it to an analog electrical signal. The electro-optical modules 230 further include one or more analog-to-digital converters 320 configured to convert the analog electrical signal output by the photodetectors 310 to a digital electrical signal for further processing. In an embodiment, each photodetector 310 communicates with a corresponding analog-to-digital converter 320. In an embodiment, some of the analog-to-digital converters 320 are configured to receive an analog electrical signal from an electrical input 325 of the electro-optical module 230.

[0021] Thus, the electro-optical module 230 receives optical or electrical signals from the grid-installed sensors 130 and devices 140 (see FIG. 1 ) via the optical input 315 or electrical input 325, respectively, and decodes the optical or electrical signals to generate received data. The received data may include, for example, sensor measurements, status signals, control signals, etc., which are processed by the MTC unit 110. The MTC unit 110 receives the received data from the electro-optical module 230 (e.g., via the backplane connector 327 of the electro-optical module 230) and applies a data model to the received data to generate telemetry data, as described in more detail below. The telemetry data is transmitted over a network to a remote computer system, for example, a cloud-based distributed architecture computer system.

[0022] In an embodiment, each electro-optical module 230 may include one or more light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 330, configured to output optical or electrical signals to devices 140 (see FIG. 1 ) installed on the power grid 115 via optical output 332 or electrical output 334, respectively. The electro-optical module 230 further includes one or more digital-to-analog converters 335, with each LED 330 in communication with the digital-to-analog converter 335. To output optical or electrical signals to devices 140 installed on the power grid, the electro-optical module 230 is configured to receive outgoing data from the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 (e.g., via the backplane connector 327 of the electro-optical module 230) and further configured to encode the outgoing data to generate optical or electrical signals. To encode the outgoing data, the electro-optical module 230 is configured to use the digital-to-analog converter 335 for electrical signals or the digital-to-analog converter 335 and the LED 330 for optical signals.

[0023] 4 is a diagram of a method 400 for providing telemetry and control for power grid sensors 130 and devices 140 via telemetry and control system 100. As described above, system 100 includes electro-optical modules 230 installed in modular telemetry and control (MTC) unit 110 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Each electro-optical module 230 includes one or more photodetectors 310 (see FIG. 3) and one or more analog-to-digital converters 320.

[0024] The method 400 includes receiving (410) an optical or electrical signal by the electro-optical module 230 from a sensor 130 or device 140 installed on the power grid 115. The method 400 further includes decoding (415) the optical or electrical signal to generate received data. The method 400 further includes receiving (420) the received data from the electro-optical module 230 by the processor 210 of the modular telemetry and control (MTC) unit 110. The method 400 further includes applying (425) a first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110. The method 400 further includes transmitting (430) the telemetry data to the remote computer system 150 via the network 160 by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110.

[0025] In embodiments, applying (425) the first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data may include extracting data from a formatted log, a stored data file, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data structure, a Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) point, and / or an IEC 61850 data structure. Applying (425) the first data model may include converting the extracted data into elements formatted for addition to a database. For example, the database elements may be formatted in Structured Query Language (SQL). In embodiments, applying (425) the first data model further includes processing the extracted data into subunits, i.e., elements, of a structured database, e.g., an SQL database. In embodiments, applying (425) the first data model may include converting the telemetry data according to a predetermined target database schema.

[0026] In an embodiment, applying 425 the first data model may include applying one or more extract, transform, and load (ETL) tools to transform the telemetry data according to the target database schema. This may include using the ETL tools to validate, authenticate, remove, and / or aggregate data to ensure that the data is trustworthy and usable in conjunction with the data store. For example, data aggregation may be used in receiving data by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 from multiple electro-optical modules 230 installed in the MTC unit 110.

[0027] In some cases, the data model used to interpret the received data may be, for example, a semantic hierarchical object data model according to IEC 61850, which is used to describe data points associated with multipliers in substations and power generation and transmission centers. In such cases, sensors 130 and / or other devices 140 installed on the power grid (see FIG. 1 ), sometimes called intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), are divided into logical devices, logical nodes, and data objects. IEDs may have logical devices for specific applications, each containing a group of logical nodes or functions that contain any required data objects. According to IEC 61850, data for IEDs has the format LogicalDevice.LogicNode.DataObject.Attribute. For example, received data from a sensor measuring the load current of phase A may have the form LD0.CMMXU1.A.phsA.cVal.mag.f., where “cVal.mag.f” is the attribute used for magnitude measurement. The class specification structure of IEC 61850 for data points is mapped to object-oriented software system design for the definition of templates for data objects. Each object is an instantiation of a class, and IEC 61850 defines standard common classes. This allows the use of algorithms, procedures, or methods that convert the class specification structure of IEC 61850 for IEDs in power grids into object-oriented classes in procedural software languages ​​such as Structured Query Language (SQL).

[0028] In an embodiment, the MTC unit 110 may determine a first data model for interpreting the received data, for example, by selecting a data model from a set of data models based on an analysis of the received data. For example, the syntax of the received data is analyzed and / or compared to known data models. In an embodiment, the data model is determined based on one or more parameters set by a user. For example, a user may set parameters for a known piece of equipment or sensor that specify a particular data model. In an embodiment, the data model may be based on a CID (Configuration IED Description) file, as specified in IEC 61850, that contains all logical devices, logical nodes, and data objects for a particular IED.

[0029] In embodiments, applying 425 the first data model and / or transmitting 430 the telemetry data to the remote computer system 150 may include performing operations on the telemetry data in a distributed grid with edge computing core subunits, including aggregations of MTC units 110. This may include performing operations on the telemetry data, the operations being virtualized and provided in a distributed grid architecture of modular telemetry and control units. In some cases, the telemetry data in the distributed grid architecture (which may be simultaneously available, for example, to be used for real-time or ad-hoc calculations) is used to generate dashboards, plots, and / or displays of distributed grid status and conditions. The telemetry data is used, for example, to evaluate voltage, current, temperature, power factor, load, and related measurements of a power generating utility grid.

[0030] In an embodiment, the transmission (430) of the telemetry data by the MTC unit 110 to the remote computer system 150 may include distributing the telemetry data at the remote computer system 150, which may be a network or system having a cloud architecture including one or more servers and various other devices, such as a database storage system 170 and related devices.

[0031] In embodiments, ETL tools are used both in applying the first data model (425) and in transmitting the telemetry data to the remote computer system (150) (430). For example, extraction tools are used in identifying and receiving data by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 from multiple electro-optical modules 230 installed in the MTC unit 110, so that the data is transported and stored in a target data store. Extraction tools are also used in identifying and receiving data by the remote computer system (150) from multiple sources, e.g., multiple MTC units 110. In such cases, the data received by the remote computer system (150), i.e., the telemetry data transmitted by the MTC unit 110, may be in various formats and may be the product of different data models. In embodiments, the telemetry data may be combined with data from various structured and unstructured sources, including documents, email, business applications, databases, equipment, sensors, third parties, etc. With this arrangement, the target data store is configured to store contextual data associated with telemetry data received from the MTC unit 110, such as weather data, grid usage, usage history, and status information, equipment installation and maintenance information.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method 400 may include receiving a second data model over the network 160 from the remote computer system 150 based at least in part on an analysis of the telemetry data by the remote computer system 150. The second data model is applied by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 to the received data to generate the telemetry data. The second data model may provide improved performance over the first data model because the second data model is generated by the remote computer system 150, which has access to the received data from multiple MTC units 110. Additionally, the remote computer system 150 may have greater processing power and access to large data stores that can be used to develop and / or refine algorithms for determining the data model.

[0033] Method 400 may further include transmitting, by MTC unit 110, parameters characterizing the first data model to remote computer system 150 over network 160. In such a case, the second data model may be based at least in part on analysis by remote computer system 150 of the telemetry data and the parameters characterizing the first data model.

[0034] In an embodiment, the method 400 further includes outputting, by the electro-optical module 230, an optical or electrical signal to a device 140 installed on the power grid 115. For example, the electro-optical module 230 may output a digital electrical signal to drive a relay in power grid switching equipment. This may include receiving, by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110, control data from the remote computer system 150 over the network 160. This may further include determining, by the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110, a third data model for interpreting the control data. In such a case, the processor 210 of the MTC unit 110 may apply the third data model to the control data to generate the outgoing data. In an embodiment, the third data model may be a standardized control format, such as SCADA.

[0035] Thus, in one aspect, a telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices has been described, including modular telemetry and control units, each having a module slot. Electro-optical modules are installable in the module slots, each having a photodetector and an analog-to-digital converter. The electro-optical modules are configured to receive optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid and decode the optical or electrical signals to generate received data. The modular telemetry and control unit is configured to receive the received data from the electro-optical modules, apply a data model to the received data to generate telemetry data, and transmit the telemetry data over a network to a remote computer system.

[0036] Aspects of the approaches and techniques taught herein may be embodied in the form of a system, computer program product, or method. Likewise, aspects of the approaches and techniques taught herein may be embodied as hardware, software, or a combination of both. Aspects of the approaches and techniques taught herein may be embodied as a computer program product contained on (e.g., stored, transmitted, or the like) one or more computer-readable medium(s) in the form of computer-readable program code embodied therein.

[0037] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium and / or a computer-readable transmission medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, an electronic, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. The computer-readable transmission medium may include a carrier wave, a transmission signal, or the like. The computer-readable transmission medium may transmit instructions between components of one computer system and / or between multiple separate computer systems.

[0038] Computer program code in embodiments of the approaches and techniques taught herein may be written in any suitable programming language. The program code executes on one or more computers. The computers may include a processing unit in communication with a computer-usable medium, the computer-usable medium including a set of instructions, and the processing unit designed to execute the set of instructions.

[0039] The above description is intended to illustrate the principles and various embodiments of the approaches and techniques taught herein. Many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. 1. A telemetry and control system for power grid sensors and devices, comprising: modular telemetry and control units, each including a processor and associated memory, and having a module slot; an electro-optical module installable in a module slot of the modular telemetry and control unit to communicate with each processor; each of the electro-optical modules includes one or more photodetectors and one or more analog-to-digital converters, each of the one or more photodetectors in communication with one analog-to-digital converter of the one or more analog-to-digital converters; and the electro-optical modules: receiving optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid; Decoding optical or electrical signals to generate received data It is structured as follows: wherein the processor of each of the modular telemetry and control units: receiving received data from the electro-optical module; applying a first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data; The system is configured to transmit telemetry data over a network to a remote computer system.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein each electro-optical module is mountable within the modular telemetry and control unit housing so as to be connected to a bus of the modular telemetry and control unit.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing of the modular telemetry and control unit includes a plurality of slots, the electro-optical modules are in the form of cards configured to be installed in the plurality of slots, and the bus includes a backplane connecting the plurality of slots to the processor of the modular telemetry and control unit.

4. 4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor of each of the modular telemetry and control units is further configured to receive incoming data from the electro-optical module via the bus.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the modular telemetry and control unit is located at the location of the sensor or device in the power grid.

6. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electro-optical module is further configured to use an analog-to-digital converter for electrical signals, or a photodetector and analog-to-digital converter for optical signals, to decode the optical or electrical signals to generate received data.

7. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein to apply the first data model, the processor of each of the modular telemetry and control units is further configured to extract data from one or more of a formatted log, a saved data file, a SCADA data structure, a DNP point, and an IEC 61850 data structure.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processor of each of the modular telemetry and control units is further configured to determine a first data model for interpreting the received data.

9. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein to apply the first data model, the processor of each of the modular telemetry and control units is further configured to transform the telemetry data in accordance with a target database schema.

10. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein each processor of the modular telemetry and control unit is configured to: (a) receive, from a remote computer system over the network, a second data model based at least in part on analysis of the telemetry data by the remote computer system; and (b) apply the second data model to the received data to generate the telemetry data.

11. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the electro-optical modules further comprises one or more light sources, and the electro-optical modules are further configured to output optical or electrical signals to a device installed on the power grid.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more light sources include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

13. 13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein each of the electro-optical modules further includes one or more digital-to-analog converters, each of the one or more light sources being in communication with one digital-to-analog converter of the one or more digital-to-analog converters, and wherein the electro-optical modules are further configured to (a) receive outgoing data from the respective processors of the modular telemetry and control units, and (b) encode the outgoing data to generate an optical or electrical signal to output an optical or electrical signal to a device installed on the power grid.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the electro-optical module is configured to use a digital-to-analog converter for electrical signals or a digital-to-analog converter and a light-emitting diode (LED) for optical signals to encode the outgoing data.

15. 1. A method for providing telemetry and control for power grid sensors and devices via a telemetry and control system including electro-optical modules installed in modular telemetry and control units, each of the modular telemetry and control units including a processor and memory in communication with electro-optical modules installed in the modular telemetry and control units, each of the electro-optical modules including one or more photodetectors and one or more analog-to-digital converters, the method comprising: receiving optical or electrical signals from sensors or devices installed on the power grid by an electro-optical module in communication with the modular telemetry and control unit; decoding the optical or electrical signal to generate received data; receiving, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, received data from the electro-optical module; applying, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, a first data model to the received data to generate telemetry data; transmitting, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, telemetry data over a network to a remote computer system; The method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electro-optical module is located within a housing of the modular telemetry and control unit and is connected to a bus of the modular telemetry and control unit.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the housing of the modular telemetry and control unit includes a plurality of slots, the electro-optical module is in the form of a card configured to be installed in one of the plurality of slots, and the bus includes a backplane connecting the plurality of slots to a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit.

18. 18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein receiving, by a processor of a modular telemetry and control unit, the received data from the electro-optical module comprises receiving the received data from the electro-optical module via a bus.

19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the modular telemetry and control unit is located at the location of the sensor or device in the power grid.

20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the decoding uses an analog-to-digital converter for electrical signals and a photodetector and an analog-to-digital converter for optical signals.

21. 21. The method of any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein applying the first data model comprises extracting data from one or more of a formatted log, a saved data file, a SCADA data structure, a DNP point, and an IEC 61850 data structure.

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein applying the first data model further comprises converting the extracted data into elements formatted for addition to a database.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the database elements are formatted in Structured Query Language (SQL).

24. 24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein said applying a first data model further comprises processing the extracted data into structured database subunits.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the structured database is a Structured Query Language (SQL) database.

26. The method of any one of claims 15 to 25, further comprising determining, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, a first data model for interpreting the received data.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first data model for interpreting the received data comprises a semantic hierarchical data model according to IEC 61850.

28. The method of any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein said applying a first data model comprises transforming telemetry data in accordance with a target database schema.

29. receiving, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, from a remote computer system over the network, a second data model based at least in part on analysis of the telemetry data by the remote computer system; applying, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, a second data model to the received data to generate telemetry data; The method of any one of claims 15 to 28, further comprising:

30. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising transmitting, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, parameters characterizing the first data model over a network to a remote computer system, wherein the second data model is based at least in part on analysis by the remote computer system of the telemetry data and parameters characterizing the first data model.

31. 31. The method of any one of claims 15 to 30, wherein the electro-optical module further comprises one or more light sources, and further comprising outputting an optical or electrical signal by the electro-optical module to a device installed on the power grid.

32. 32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the one or more light sources include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

33. 33. The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein the electro-optical module further includes one or more digital-to-analog converters, and wherein outputting an optical or electrical signal by the electro-optical module to a device installed on the power grid includes transmitting, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, outgoing data to the electro-optical module and encoding the outgoing data to generate an optical or electrical signal.

34. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the encoding uses a digital-to-analog converter for electrical signals and a digital-to-analog converter and a light-emitting diode (LED) for optical signals.

35. receiving, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, control data from a remote computer system over a network; determining, by a processor of the modular telemetry and control unit, a third data model for interpreting the control data; applying, by a processor of the telemetry and control unit, a third data model to the control data to generate outgoing data; 35. The method of claim 33 or 34, further comprising:

36. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a telemetry and control unit in which an electro-optical module is installed, cause the telemetry and control unit to be configured to perform the method of any one of claims 15 to 35.

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