SCADA and Its Application in Electrical Power Systems
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) refers to an industrial computer system that monitors and controls a particular process. Electrical SCADA monitors electrical assets, substations, and transformers in T&D elements of electrical utilities. The robust adoption of renewable energy sources and the rise in power generation capacities across the globe has contributed to the growth of the electrical SCADA market in recent years. North America is likely to experience high demand for electrical SCADA during the forecast period with the rapid adoption of SCADA software and the strong presence of system suppliers in the region.
Download PDF Brochure of Study, Click Here!
Components and its functions
SCADA system comprises of the following components
1. Sensors
2. Conversion units:
3. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
4. Remote terminal units (RTU)
5. Communication network:
6. Master unit:
7. Remote communication server (RCS):
Applications of SCADA
Commonly SCADA systems are used when a need arises to automate complex processes where human control is not feasible. In power system specifically, this can include
- The system needs an uninterrupted power supply and a protected environment
- We would need to know the status of a complex power system in real-time
- We would need to monitor and control system that are in remote areas
The electrical SCADA market is anticipated to grow in the forecast period owing to driving factors such as robust investments in electrical networks and the advent of the fourth industrial revolution. Also, government initiatives supporting industry 4.0, are further likely to fuel market growth. However, high initial costs may impede the growth of the electrical SCADA market during the forecast period. On the other hand, smart city projects in developing countries such as India and China create lucrative growth opportunities for the players operating in the electrical SCADA market during the forecast period.
The key players influencing the market are ABB Ltd., Emerson Electric Co., Honeywell International Inc., Larsen & Toubro Limited, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Open Systems International, Inc., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, etc.
The highlighted functions of SCADA in power plants include:
1. ontinuous monitoring of speed and frequency of electrical machines
2. Geographical monitoring of coal delivery and water treatment processes
3. Electricity generation operations planning
4. Control of active and reactive power
5. Boiler and turbine protection and their condition in case of thermal plant
6. Monitoring of renewable energy farms and load dispatch planning
7. Load scheduling
8. Historical data processing of all generation related parameters
9. Supervising the status of circuit breakers, protective relays, and other safety equipment
10. Power apparatus health monitor
11. The sequence of events recording