Kazakhstan’s largest power station, Bulat Nurzhanov Ekibastuz SDPP-1, transformed its communications technology from landline to VoIP.
Communications for critical infrastructure
The Bulat Nurzhanov Ekibastuz SDPP-1 Limited Liability Partnership is a 4,000-MW thermal powerplant in the Pavlodar Region of Kazakhstan. Built in the 1980’s as part of the USSR’s Ekibastuz Fuel and Energy Complex project, it is today the main solid fuel power generation facility and the largest power station in Kazakhstan. It is also one of the largest coal-fired power stations in the world. The availability of the site is of strategic importance to the Republic of Kazakhstan. As such, Ekibastuz SDPP-1 management is committed to ensuring the best possible dispatch, and works continuously to improve operational efficiency. (More about Ekibastuz SDPP-1 at http://gres1.kz/en/).
Knowing when it’s time to say goodbye
Since 1988, Ekibastuz SDPP-1 had been using a HiCom private branch exchange (PBX) telephone network as its main communications system. Despite the exceptional reliability of the platform, its capabilities no longer met efficiency and safety requirements of the fuel and energy industry. Continuous operation 24/7 for 24 years had deteriorated the electronic components of both the PBX and telephone sets. The risks of a communications outage were unacceptable.
It was also difficult to maintain the PBX, as support for its software had been discontinued by the manufacturer. What’s more, engineers at the thermal power plant could not integrate the telephony with the local network because the PBX didn’t support internet protocol (IP) network technology. And given that Ekibastuz SDPP-1 management decided to introduce a centralized control system, the entire communications system had to be upgraded to meet the plant’s legal and regulatory requirements.
They approached the Republic of Kazakhstan’s approved system integrator and telecommunications partner, Energia RK, to find a solution. (More about Energia RK at https://erk.kz/en/home/).
Finding a replacement
The two companies conducted a joint study and detailed analysis of the outdated systems to define the range of necessary upgrades. Then, in order to select the appropriate solutions, Energia RK organized video conferences with its local partner, Atos Unify, and specialists from Ekibastuz SDPP-1.
The solution they chose for the plant’s transition to digital technologies was Unify’s OpenScape 4000 V10, a hybrid PBX that bridges legacy and IP-based networks. The HiCom 300 exchange platform that was being replaced was a Unify product and had served for 24 years with exceptional reliability, and the new PBX is fully compatible with it. This made it possible to upgrade the PBX without stopping the plant’s production process.
“We needed to choose the best way to upgrade the communications system. And already at the initial stage, the support of the RK Energy experts was at its best,” said Bai Alexandr, deputy head of Ekibastuz SDPP-1.
During the project, Energia RK engineers replaced all components of the PBX, tested the communication channels and installed new handsets.
New levels of safety and security
All of the work was carried out in only four months by Energia RK specialists with support and assistance from Ekibastuz SDPP-1 employees. Thanks to them, the reliability and safety of strategically important communications at this Republic of Kazakhstan facility were significantly improved.
The new version of the OpenScape 4000 V10 PBX provided for transition to digital IP communication technologies and for almost unlimited further expansion of PBX subscribers and channels. Now the plant can integrate its communications with a variety of other communication and collaboration systems and platforms such as radios, speakerphones, public address systems and even Microsoft Teams.
The new platform allows Ekibastuz SDPP-1 to provide effective communication for employees in all levels, from technical to management, based on modern digital technologies.
The work of dispatchers was optimized by components of the new PBX. By using OpenScape Xpert, for example, they established quick-response processes and automatic registration of applications, and were able to resolve any situations in production almost immediately.
The telephone exchange upgrade also enabled the transition from a traditional E1 phone line to a virtual SIP-trunk line — helping to reduce the plant’s communication costs. Calls can be rerouted in the event of a power outage, which gives the plant more autonomy and tighter facility security by guaranteeing the availability of communications in emergency situations.
The seeds of UCC
The new PBX does not require a radical change in processes, but creates the necessary foundation for further digitalisation of production. For this reason, the new functionality is being further adapted. The next step after project completion will be deployment of IP-based workstations and preparations for the implementation of unified communications.
After implementation, Energia RK conducted five-day training sessions on maintenance and customization of OpenScape 4000 V10 PBX, and continues to provide expert consulting support of the new telecommunications system.
“Thanks to the deep expertise of the integrator, we approached the task correctly and obtained a platform with all the capabilities we needed in the shortest possible time and without interruption of any technological processes,” said Alexandr.
Why Atos for unified communications
Atos Unify OpenScape 4000 bridges the gap from legacy digital communications to IP-based unified communications. Both reside side-by-side in the same enterprise, on the same platform. You leverage and enhance your existing communications by introducing powerful state-of-the-art UC capabilities. But where needed, as needed.
Related resources
https://unify.com/en/solutions/voice-platforms/openscape-4000
https://atos.net/en/client-stories/west-university-of-timisoara
https://atos.net/en/client-stories/mega-brokers
