Hoover PMSC system [hydropower plant automation]

The US Bureau of Reclamation has undertaken a major effort and risk in developing an open architecture and modular control system based on multiple vendors for use in its hydroelectric power facilities. The first system of this concept is operational at Hoover Dam controlling more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours of power and 7.5 million acre-feet of water yearly. The programmable master supervisor control (PMSC) system at Hoover ran over budget by less than 10% and was operational about 1 year late. This paper takes a look at the history of SCADA systems installed by the Bureau of Reclamation at all of its facilities which shows that this system is above average in the author´s opinion