Next 30 years
We are developing systems that will be specified for 2-3 years, implemented over 3-5 years, and, in case of success, stay in operation for about 20 years (it is not to expect, that this pattern will change, considering complexity and costs of realization).
That means, that we have to create reliable systems, which have to stay scalable to cover the potential linear (and non-linear) growth demand and which have to be open and extendable to ensure future functionality, and still be engineerable and operatable (both for business and IT.
Re-asses the role of SCADA/EMS
Role change for electric SCADA?
We have to re-assess the role of the SCADA/EMS system. Most of industrial SCADA systems changed their role, turning from pure-OT-tools, to the components of business control and automation pyramide (“from shop floor to top floor” “ Aus Produktionshallen in Management Etagen”). This trend is still unclear for the electrical utilities SCADA.
Re-asses the architectural landscape
One can hardly create better SCADA/EMS, re-implementing it according to its today’s functional specification (automate same processes and cover same capabilities).
To design better system one should:
- Consider new end-to-end processes without organizational subdivision.
- Consider integrations with systems and question, if those should stay separate or become a part of new SCADA/EMS.
- Consider new architectures and technologies.
To build better system, still
- Consider constraints (pace layering, engineering, MDM, skills and realistic technology landscape)
- know your business
- know your possibilities
- know your supplier
Control pattern change?
Today large Electric SCADA/EMS is a system, organizing data collection in the field process (mainly Substations), and presenting the measurements and analysis results to the dispatchers of control center, allowing them to undertake the necessary control measures. All the tools around SCADA provide additional information to support decision making of dispatcher. This pattern stays unchanged for the last decades. It can be challenged, if it will stay unchanged in the next three decades.
Influence of Digital Substation?
Digital substation is a trend, that currently has no clear business case (as reported by large industrial suppliers J ). It is possible, that this business case will be more clear, if looking in the wider context – Substation Automation together with Grid Control. Possible synergies can be analysed.
Examples:
- Common MDM and screen engineering
- Common control system (with roles segregation?)
- Necessity of dedicated SAS systems nowadays?
Who is the user of SCADA?
Who is the user (or owner) of SCADA/EMS? What are his / their requirements?
(Explanation: In case of the plane, there are pilots, passengers, operators and other roles. Not the pilots define requirements for the plane, but the market models of operators. )
Role of new production patterns for the TSO
Role and influence of Smart Grids, EV, etc. on the TSO business? Shall all the millions of smart devices be connected to the TSO data acquisition and other TSO systems?
Role of end-customer for the TSO
Are the end-customers relevant for TSO? In what form? Is there a demand to give them access to the SCADA/EMS data? (-> “Banks nowadays are just smartphone apps. Bad app leads to the bank change” – same in 10 years for TSO?)
Additional IIoT data / data processing – relevant for TSO?
There is a lot of data, not covered by classical SCADA/EMS data acquisition and/or data processing (not part of SCADA protocol stack and EMS model). Those are, to name few:
- Weather data and their processing
- Asset data and their processing (partially)
- Overlapping of both: Line temperature information (partially)
- Consumer data and their behaviour (e.g. last forecasts)
- Producers data and their behavior (e.g. RES production forecasts)