SCADA Checkup

SCADA can be a very valuable tool for system operations, customer service, engineering, and planning. Many utilities have made the investment and have seen great benefits from SCADA. Those utilities have a real-time view of the electric system status and can optimize settings, avoid some equipment or system failures, be aware of problems with voltage or other issues before a complaint, better deploy crews to the problem and, with the right equipment or know how, remotely reconfigure the electric system to fix problems or outages, as well as have an excellent history database to help plan for future investments. All this can save substantial dollars and improve results for customers. It also helps demonstrate that the utility has real-time knowledge of what is happening on its high voltage electric system, which is increasingly important.

Many utilities are replacing electromechanical protective relays with new electronic devices. As a result, utilities see substantial benefits from additional SCADA data that is made available. Power System Engineering, Inc. (PSE) believes SCADA can be a key asset for all utilities if there is an extra push to leverage the investment and reinvest in an effective way for solid results. To help our clients “take SCADA to the next level,” PSE offers a SCADA checkup.

A SCADA checkup will assess your SCADA system platform, architecture, functionality, and suppliers (e.g., SCADA master, sub equipment, communications) by:

• Providing “best practice” information on what SCADA might do for a utility in your situation.
• Identifying where the potential benefits are from SCADA for your utility by upgrading substation devices.
• Preparing alternatives and recommendations about how the desired benefits from SCADA can be achieved.
• Developing an implementation plan to achieve the objectives in an effective manner.
• Providing an executive level explanation of the plan for your senior management and/or board.