Developing of scalable SCADA in view of acquiring multi-protocol smart grid devices

Distribution Automation (DA) can be identified as a method of improving system efficiency and reliability. It enables distribution utilities to monitor and control their distribution assets from a central location called Distribution Control Center (DCC). The Distribution licensees in Sri Lanka reluctant to adopt DA in the system mainly due to the heavy requirement of capital investment and foreign technical expertise. With a careful study, it can be identified that there are considerable number of DA compatible distribution components are existed in their respective networks without proper utilization of features supporting DA since those have been brought into the network without considering DA. This paper discusses on developing a scalable SCADA in view of acquiring multi-protocol smart grid devices to support distribution licensees operate in Sri Lanka to develop an in-house DA solution with local expertise and minimum capital cost. Furthered it discuss on the adopting a cost effective communication media to maintain the minimum operational cost for the DA solution. Western Province North (WPN) of distribution division II of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was considered for the study and outcome of the study has been utilized to develop a DCC in WPN.