Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition / Distribution Management System - SCADA/DMS
The responsibility of operating a safe, reliable and efficient electric energy distribution network is a core activity of the Distribution System Operator.
According to the Electricity Market Law, the Distribution System Operator Unit is responsible for maintaining a secure, reliable and efficient electricity distribution network with the following:
- The continuous monitoring of the operating parameters
- The settings management for all the Distribution System equipment with the goal of maintaining the functionality of the system in between the parameters that are provided by the Transmission Distribution Rules (RMS)
- Optimizing system reliability indices
- The reliable integration of RES into the Distribution System.
- To minimize losses and system operation costs.
- The optimal fault management in the system to minimize discomfort and the connection loss to consumers-producers.
The DSO, in order to manage effectively and optimize the integration of RES into the Distribution System and to be able to respond to its obligations and responsibilities has proceeded, with the contribution of Technical Consultants, to the detailed planning, design and preparation of the technical specification for the implementation of a complete modern SCADA/DMS System. The principal aim of this project is the efficient operation of the distribution network through the monitoring and control of the network and the energy flow in real-time.
The Project includes both the necessary equipment and software as well as the establishment of the National Distribution Control Center (NDCC), the Reserve Distribution Control Center (Reserve NDCC) and four regional Distribution Control Centers that will provide for the Authority, as the Distribution System Operator, the necessary tools for the complete and centralized management of the Distribution network, both for the day-to-day operations as well as faults.
Through the aforementioned Distribution
Control Centers and the network management advanced applications, which the
SCADA/DMS will include, there will be a continuous monitoring and control of
the distribution system 24hours a day/365 days a year that will enable the
effective management of the increasing penetration of generation from Renewable
Energy Sources. The centralized management and control of the distribution network
will also help in maximizing the maximum RES penetration, which creates
challenges to the DSO because of its intermittent nature. This is why this
project is of crucial importance to the organization and the country in
general. 
In addition to establishing
the National and Regional Distribution Control Centers, the project includes many
other aspects such as:
- Automation of the distribution
network by installing remote-controlled equipment on ground mounted medium
voltage (MV) substations and on the overhead MV network.
- Develop a
reliable and economically viable telecommunications network
- Adapt
existing and develop new distribution network operating procedures
- Interfaces with a number of enterprise systems
- Interfacing with the Transmission SCADA/EMS system for data exchange
The wide range of
network management applications to be deployed within the project will allow
the optimization of the distribution network operation and contribute in the increased
situational awareness of the system state, which will lead to minimizing the interruption
of supply to network users. The interconnection of the SCADA/DMS System with
the GIS system and the integration with specialized applications for the
management of disturbances (Outage Management System – OMS) will constitute valuable
tools for minimizing the outage duration to the consumers and other network
users as well as the improvement of the quality of supply
The investment in this critical infrastructure also requires corresponding
investment in human resources.
The recruitment
staff that will undertake the implementation and the support of the SCADA/DMS
System has begun and it is due to be completed. The recruitment of shift staff
that will perform the 24-hour operation of the Distribution Control Centers is
also an important element of the whole project.
