The 33rd China International Exhibition on Electric Power Equipment and Technology
Shanghai International Energy Storage Technology Application Expo / Hydrogen Energy Expo
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a control system architecture that uses computers, networked data communications, and graphical human-machine interfaces (HMI) to monitor and control industrial processes and infrastructure in real time. In power systems, SCADA systems collect data from sensors, meters, and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) across substations, transmission lines, and generation plants, displaying operational status to operators and enabling remote control of switching equipment, transformers, and generators. Modern power SCADA systems are integrated with Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Distribution Management Systems (DMS) to provide comprehensive grid visibility and control. SCADA cybersecurity has become a critical concern as systems become increasingly networked.
5 Key Questions About SCADA
A power SCADA system comprises: Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) or Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) at field sites that collect measurements and execute control commands; a communication network (fibre optic, microwave, or power line carrier) connecting field devices to the control centre; SCADA servers that process and store data; Human-Machine Interface (HMI) workstations displaying real-time grid status to operators; historian servers archiving operational data; and application servers running EMS/DMS functions such as state estimation, contingency analysis, and automatic generation control.
SCADA provides the real-time data acquisition and control infrastructure upon which EMS (Energy Management System) and DMS (Distribution Management System) applications run. EMS uses SCADA data for transmission system functions including state estimation, optimal power flow, contingency analysis, and automatic generation control. DMS uses distribution SCADA data for fault location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR), volt/VAR optimisation, and outage management. Modern utility control centres integrate SCADA, EMS, and DMS into a unified Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) platform.
Power SCADA systems use a range of communication protocols: DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol 3) is widely used in North America and increasingly in China for substation-to-control centre communication; IEC 60870-5-101/104 is the dominant protocol in China and Europe for SCADA communication over serial and TCP/IP networks; IEC 61850 is the modern standard for substation automation, enabling interoperability between IEDs from different manufacturers; and Modbus is used for legacy devices and simple RTU communication. Protocol converters and gateways enable integration of legacy systems with modern SCADA platforms.
Power SCADA cybersecurity employs defence-in-depth strategies: network segmentation separating operational technology (OT) networks from corporate IT and the internet using firewalls and demilitarised zones (DMZ); encrypted communication for all SCADA data transmission; strong authentication for operator access including multi-factor authentication; intrusion detection systems monitoring for anomalous traffic patterns; regular security patching of SCADA software and operating systems; and incident response plans for cyber events. China's Cybersecurity Law and the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Regulations impose specific requirements on power SCADA systems.
Modern SCADA systems are evolving beyond traditional supervisory control to incorporate advanced analytics, machine learning, and cloud computing. Next-generation SCADA platforms process data from millions of smart meters and IoT sensors in addition to traditional substation IEDs, enabling distribution-level visibility that was previously impossible. Cloud-based SCADA architectures reduce hardware costs and improve scalability. Integration with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) enables two-way communication with end customers for demand response. AI-powered anomaly detection improves both cybersecurity and equipment fault detection.
Key Takeaways
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies are essential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and potentially achieving negative emissions. As China commits to carbon neutrality by 2060, CCUS is receiving unprecedented policy support and investment. EP Shanghai connects CCUS technology providers with power generators, industrial emitters, and project developers exploring deployment opportunities.
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