The design of next generation SCADA systems

Current generation power network SCADA systems are characterised by their distributed architecture and full graphic MMI facilities. It is expected that next generation systems will move more and more towards open systems. However, their architecture and features will be influenced by the emergence of many new technologies. Two dominant technologies will be multi-media and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications. Multi-media technology allows the provision of a superior MMI which will greatly boost the efficiency os SCADA operators. ATM technology, which blurs the distinction between LANs and WANs, will revolutionise the architecture of future power systems and greatly increase their performance as well as raising the limits of scalability and expandability of the new systems