Open systems benefit energy control centers

The ability to migrate applications among computers of different vendors and different sizes (from PCs to supercomputers) as operating needs change and grow is discussed. The questions many utility practitioners have been asking about open systems, standards, architectures, and available choices are addressed. These questions are fundamental to providing a computational application environment in which the tools required for intelligent and adaptive power system control can be operated. These tools are being designed for standards-driven, open-hardware platforms. The open systems movement is discussed, and open systems are defined. The role of standards is examined. Two open EMS architectures favored by leading EMS suppliers are discussed.<>