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Addressing the SCADA Skills Gaps for Renewable Energy by Woodrow Boles
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enewable energy technologies, especially onshore wind, solar, battery storage and recently allowed offshore wind - are gaining momentum without precedent. This seemingly unbridled growth is directly attributable to the enthusiasm for cutting system costs, deepening understanding of combining energy sources, and renewable energy’s role in overall sustainability. Capturing the full value of these goals will require technological advancements and the skills to harness their maximum potential. Because of its flexibility and scalability, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) has solidified its place as a necessity; it is the most widely used automation system for renewable energy. SCADA is software for monitoring and controlling system equipment over a network in remote locations. It gathers and processes real-time data from operations; it interacts directly with process equipment through a humanmachine interface (HMI); it stores process values and events locally, and; it can forward that data for consolidation and use in reporting and analysis. Its capabilities range from simple configurations like small residential solar, to large and complex installations of multiple plants or networks across a geographically dispersed area. The convergence of information technology (IT) and SCADA operations technology (OT) has made SCADA an even more integrated part of overall renewable energy operations. Technology drivers such as industrial Ethernet networks, wireless mobile applications, and wireless networks for plants are tying SCADA to other business systems, including performance software, electronic work instructions, geographical information systems, asset management, computerized maintenance management systems, standard operating procedures, and hydraulic modeling software. SCADA systems are also aligning with standard networking technologies, with Ethernet and TCP/ IP-based protocols replacing older proprietary standards. Increasingly, a de facto standard OPC server (OPC UA in particular) is being packaged with SCADA platform software. SCADA systems can regulate the individual wind turbines and solar inverters with commands to pause, stop, and start, and control different components within each technology. However, its real prowess is in delivering overall site control and providing stability to the grid. Grid frequency needs to stay as close to 60.00Hz as possible. SCADA controls the power output to regulate the frequency, using a control loop to measure at or as close to the interconnection substation as possible, adjusting power output to change the frequency until it is within the 60Hz deadband range. Voltage is controlled in a similar manner, using reactive power or adjusting the tap changer on the transformer to meet required voltage for that substation. Renewable power plants are often the target of curtailments due to their ability to respond quickly and efficiently. Whereas traditional nuclear, coal or other power plants are slow to ramp power up and down, sometimes taking up to six hours to go to full production, renewable sites can be brought to full production or reduced to zero within a few minutes, depending on regional requirements for starting and stopping and the generating unit’s ability to respond.
SCADA Skills
One of the biggest threats to the renewable energy industry is falling behind competitively, which can happen if the workforce doesn’t possess the skills in emerging automation technologies. SCADA engineers require a combination of skills in numerous disciplines. They need proficiency in major SCADA applications, system components and architecture, as well as remote sensing and actuation, and communication techniques to effectively monitor
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and control very large industrial processes. It is also important to have knowledge of proprietary and / or industry specific systems. Whereas power generation requires electrical and mechanical knowledge, renewables require specific knowledge around that industry, and for a substation requires understanding of breakers and line protection. Also of importance is knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations, which include ISOs, TSOs, balancing authorities, and NERC and FERC regulations. IT and network skills are required for the systems to communicate seamlessly with one another. Cybersecurity knowledge is also needed to protect those systems. It is advantageous for SCADA operators to have knowledge of fiber, radio, and LTE for the devices to transmit data and remote access, and a vast knowledge of multiple types of PLCs, RTUs, sensors, SCADA software, HMIs, data concentrators, relays, and other mechanical devices to accomplish the tasks at hand. Although there are companies and professional organizations that offer SCADA training programs with certifications, many are not thorough enough to become a master SCADA engineer.
In-House or Outsource
Renewable energy organizations typically require SCADA engineers to have a bachelor's degree in a related field, although a master's degree may be preferred. They also like their candidates to have at least five years of relevant experience to enhance their exemplary computer and communication skills. They choose new hires with one or two major skillsets and then provide on the job training to round out skills and knowledge. It’s a slow, formidable process. In addressing the burgeoning skills gap and lack of qualified talent, many renewable companies are leveraging third-party SCADA/IT staff augmentation and/or moving to third-party control rooms. They are reliable options for renewable energy companies looking for cost savings that leverage SCADA and control room expertise in an enterprise-level infrastructure. There are several boutique, specialized renewables SCADA and IT service organizations with experience supporting some of the largest global renewables projects. These service organizations can be utilized to meet or accelerate project timelines, and fill in any technical skills gaps without the hassle of staffing an internal team to meet resource demand spikes. Once a project is commissioned, these resources can be shifted off the payroll or kept on for routine maintenance and support. Given the industry’s rush to meet renewables demand, it is important for any contract resource to be fully vetted for expertise and a successful project track record. Similar vetting is required for control room services. All third-party control rooms might look similar on the surface, but there are several significant and intricate factors that
