Solar Lattice

Concept

SCADA

ID
concept:scada
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/concept/scada
Status
active
Also known as
supervisory control and data acquisition, Supervision Control And Data Acquisition, Supervisory Controls and Data Acquisition
Category
Monitoring
Concept kind
technology

SCADA stands for supervisory control and data acquisition. A SCADA system is a set of computer systems with logical and physical interfaces that monitor and control how a facility operates. At a solar plant, SCADA gathers and analyzes real-time data from trackers and other generating equipment. It stores this data so output can be optimized, and it helps find faults and troubleshoot them remotely. SCADA also sends commands, such as set-point changes to trackers. On some central inverters, a stop or standby command from SCADA or a power plant controller over Modbus shows up as its own return code. In Modbus terms, SCADA is the control center software that acts as the master polling field devices. SCADA networks usually give devices like automation controllers, protection relays and meters static IP addresses. Utilities use SCADA measurements to build load and PV models. That data has to match the same time period and feeder configuration as the analysis. If SCADA disables a recloser's automatic reclosing during work, the NESC requires a confirmation signal and a visible tag or display, both at the operating point and at the device.

<!-- review notes

Claims

related_to

c1 drafted · lead Data acquisition system

A SCADA package covers control, telemetry (data acquisition), Historian data storage and data access.

c2 drafted · lead Remote monitoring

SCADA monitors real-time data and helps troubleshoot faults remotely.

c3 drafted · lead Modbus

SMA uses SCADA, the control center software, as its example of a Modbus master system.

review note: support check: partial - Passage says SCADA is used as an example Modbus master system, but it does not name SMA; the manufacturer attribution is not in the passage.; review: partial - The row says SCADA is control center software used as an example Modbus master system, but the quoted text does not name SMA, so that attribution rests only on the source id.

c4 drafted · lead Automatic reclosing

The NESC allows SCADA to disable a recloser's automatic reclosing if confirmation signals and tags or electronic displays are in place.

c5 drafted · lead DHCP and static IP addressing

Tesla's SCADA design manual gives SCADA devices such as the RTAC, the SEL-700G relay and the meters static IP addresses.

review note: support check: partial - RTAC, SEL700G and meters have Static DHCP status, but the passages do not say it's Tesla's SCADA design manual (implied), and the relay is named SEL700G; mostly fine but source attribution is not stated.

c6 drafted · lead SEL Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC) proposed

The RTAC appears in the device IP plan of Tesla's SCADA design manual.

c7 drafted · lead Single-axis tracker

SCADA monitors trackers and can send them set-point change commands.

c8 drafted · lead Stopped

Sunny Central return code 21609 means the inverter was stopped by SCADA or a PPC over Modbus.

review note: support check: partial - Return code 21609 reads 'Stop: Scada or PPC, Modbus', but the passage does not mention Sunny Central or explicitly say the inverter was stopped.

c9 drafted · lead Standby

Sunny Central return code 21612 means the inverter was put in standby by SCADA or a PPC over Modbus.

review note: support check: partial - Return code 21612 reads 'Standby: Scada or PPC, Modbus', but the passage does not mention Sunny Central or explicitly say the inverter was put in standby.

Referenced by

Data