Modernization of multi location live SCADA system-A case study

SCADA system has come a long way over the past three decades and now the same are not an isolated system serving only the system operators for operational safety. Presently, the SCADA system needs to support a wide variety of user requirements starting from system operators to different market participants, regulators, data analysts, and requirement for interconnection between SCADA and IT system is felt. Further, working with legacy systems can present a number of problems that ranges from higher maintenance cost, sluggish performance, non-availability of support service, availability of modern facilities in State of the art SCADA systems, interconnection facility with heterogeneous systems and operational efficiency of the new technology. With rapid expansion of the power system in India and evolution of markets through establishment of power exchanges, system operation has become more and more complex with interaction with huge number of market participants. Advanced visualization is of utmost importance to the system operators to ensure reliability of the system. Further, the requirement of interconnection of IT system with SCADA was felt to support the various MIS and data analysis requirement. With a view to use the present technology for better system efficiency and to support the present day need of the system operators and the customers, it was decided that the legacy SCADA is upgraded at all the State, Regional and National Control Centre in India.