Real time data acquisition and energy management system using distributed computer architecture

The role of a computerised data acquisition and energy management system is of vital importance in order to monitor and control a large power system under real time conditions. In India the computerised load despatch centres were installed at a number of places on a regional basis in the early eighties. Since at that time the concept of open system and inter-connectivity among the equipment of different vendors was not common, the computerised equipment installed was based on a centralised approach and was of a proprietary nature. After using the system for a period of about 10 years, a considerable amount of equipment has became unserviceable due to obsolescence, non-availability of spares and/or high expenditure on maintenance. In order to overcome such a situation in the Northern Region of the country, a scheme for providing a real time data acquisition and energy management system was initiated in early 1994. The scheme is being carried out through indigenous efforts, using the hardware and software in distributed architecture and based on the concept of open system and connectivity. The paper covers the details of the scheme, in particular the distributed architecture and the advantages derived therefrom