Belgian interutility data exchanges within operation

The existing Belgian national control center uses a multicomputer-based SCADA system, in operation since 1976. A new system has been ordered. This EMS (energy management system) tool consists of application computers and software, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and communication processors. It also includes an emergency control center. Data exchanges between national and regional centers, corporate computers and an emergency national dispatching, will be based on a new communication computer system. This system is described. The functionality of this system includes easy adaptation to regional center evolution, rerouting circuits in case of communication failure, and real-time and offline transfer possibilities. This communication system was tested in 1990. The processors take care of the conversion between the databases of all the different control centers, and use a specific identification scheme. Easy adaptation to the evolution of the ever-changing control centers is one of the design criteria of the system