Challenges of SCADA protocol replacement and use of open communication standards

With the increasing demand for connecting cleaner energy generation from distributed renewable energy resources and new nuclear power stations, the future transmission network in the UK is expected to require increasingly more active primary technologies such as HVDC connections and FACTS equipment. These devices will enable the optimum use of the power transfer capability of the existing transmission network infrastructure. The existing Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems deployed are now being considered to be no longer capable of meeting these future needs with the increasing demands for real time operational data. This paper describes the opportunities and challenges faced by National Grid UK in moving from its in house protocol and the methodology chosen to implement and trial a new protocol at a number of pilot sites. The paper will examine and evaluate the protocol choices available and consider the security issues of the new communication services required. A number of trial and pilot projects are being established and the experience gained from these trials will help to identify the benefits and issues in carrying out future SCADA protocol replacement.