Country Energy

• Country Energy covers 95% of NSW’s land area ~ 760,000km2 • Formed by the amalgamation of 20 Municipal Electricity Boards. • Starting Point - 20 different SCADA systems • End Point - Implemented one monolithic Control System (DMS) • 80,000 telemetry points and three control centres • 195,000 km of lines, 1.4 million poles and 340 Substations • 113,000 Transformers (many rural) • 900,000 Customer connections • One of the world’s largest electricity distribution networks

Country Energy is an Electricity and Gas distributor/retailer, covering approximately 95% of New South Wales, Australia. It has one of the largest distribution networks in the world, based on total length of conductor, and one of the largest ENMAC DMS systems based on asset count and number of users.

Opal Software has a long standing relationship with Country Energy. Originally engaged in 2003 to act as systems integrator for a new GE ENMAC DMS to consolidate over 20 separate SCADA systems and disparate control rooms, Opal has since been retained by Country Energy to provide a wide range of our products, bespoke software development, data migration and management and system support.

Country Energy partnered with Opal software in the development of our simNET training simulator, and as one of our most important customers, continues to provide inputs into the development of our product suites and services.

Water Corporation

Water Corporation provides water to the entire state of Western Australia, and has an extensive SCADA network covering several hundred thousand kilometers.

As part of a major SCADA system upgrade involving ABB and SCX SCADA systems, Water Corp acquired simSCADA to assist with testing and training on the new SCADA platform. Water Corp utilises the DNP, OPC and RP570 SCADA protocols in their

Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy, one of Australia's largest electricity distribution companies, has purchased Opal Software's simSCADA application and testing strategy for their new $20 Million SCADA consolidation project in 2005.

The project involved the merger of a number of SCADA systems into a single SCADA/DMS, being supplied by ABB. The final system has in excess of 50,000 SCADA points.

The DNP3 and Conitel 2025 SCADA protocols are used by Ergon Energy in the new master station, and all point-to-point testing and FAT/SAT utilised the simSCADA product.

Ergon continues to use simSCADA for testing and training in the newly commissioned SCADA master station.

ABB Sweden

ABB is a major vendor of SCADA/DMS/EMS systems, and is an Opal Software vendor partner. ABB utilises simSCADA for in-house testing and training and to assist with product development. Working in collaboration with ABB, Opal has developed data migration tools for the ABB Ranger, Spider and Network Manager SCADA platforms.

SP AusNet

SP Ausnet is an electricity distribution and transmission company that supplies electricity to some 5 Million people in Victoria Australia.

In 2008 and 2009, SP Ausnet developed a complex distribution system automation scheme as part of a smart grid initiative. In order to test the operation of this scheme fully prior to its roll-out, SP Ausnet made extensive use of simSCADA.

The testing involved the establishment of numerous test cases and failure scenario’s, with simSCADA providing an accurate simulation of all SCADA distribution sites using the DNP Protocol.

SP Ausnet successfully deployed the scheme in 2009, resulting in significant reductions to customer minutes lost due to network faults.

Vattenfall

"The simSCADA tool has helped Vattenfall save a large amount of money in the commissioning phase. This is a new, safe and a reliable method of performing a complex and time consuming task. I can recommend the method and the simSCADA tool".

Tommy Nilsson,
DRISS Project Manager

Vattenfall AB

Vattenfall, the largest electricity distribution company in Sweden, was formed by the amalgamation of several regional electricity distributors. Vattenfall embarked on the DRISS project to develop a single SCADA system platform for its entire network, comprising some 1,200 major substations and in excess of 100,000 SCADA points.

The effort involved with performing field based point-to-point testing for such a large number of sites, and the need to ensure the stability of the SCADA platform with such a large number of SCADA points, resulted in Vattenfall using Opal Softwares simSCADA product for testing and commissioning activities.

Opal software implemented two protocols for Vattenfall in simSCADA, as well as developing data migration software for migrating data from the legacy systems to simSCADA.

simSCADA enabled Vattenfall to undertake comprehensive performance testing on the new system, which identified several issues which were able to be resolved before the system was commissioned, and also saved several man-years effort in point-to point-testing.

AD Riley

Wellington

AD Riley made use of Opal Software’s DNP Driver as part of one of their smart field devices. Opal Software is able to supply any of the large number of SCADA protocol implementations (as used by simSCADA) as a stand-alone driver.

GE Florida

GE is a major vendor of SCADA/DMS/EMS systems, and is an Opal Software vendor partner. GE utilises simSCADA and simNET for in-house testing and training, and to assist with product development.

Working in collaboration with GE, Opal has developed simSCADA data migration tools for the ENMAC and XA21 SCADA platforms.

Opal Software also has extensive experience implementing the GE ENMAC DMS and has played a key role in every ENMAC implementation in the Asia Pacific area. Through our work with ENMAC projects, Opal has developed an extensive set of data migration tools, including the NMS InFusion and SCADA InFusion applications to manage bulk uptake and incremental updates the ENMAC DMS. Please read our product pages for more information on these applications.

Electra Net

Adelaide, Australia

ElectraNet is an electricity transmission company which covers the state of South Australia, and provides bulk supply to some 1.5 Million people. When ElectraNet embarked on a major system upgrade for their Areva EMS SCADA system, they decided to acquire simSCADA to assist with system testing.

Opal also provided a data migration tool for the Areva system, and made various enhancements to the DNP protocol implementation under support arrangements with ElectraNet.

Powercor

Powercor Australia is an electricity distribution company providing services to around 500,000 customers in Western Victoria, Australia.

Opal Software was engaged as the systems integrator for a new SCADA/DMS system for Powercor, working as sub-contractors for GE Network Solutions (GENS).

The responsibilities included procurement and integration of all hardware, software load and configuration, development of data capture and test plans, on-going consultancy for data migration and system configuration and support for the system once placed into production.

Opal Software was also responsible for the development of all displays and data migration of the scan database into the new system.

Thanks to the combined efforts of all parties involved (GE, Powercor and Opal), the project was an outstanding success, coming in on both time and budget. According to Glen Mclean, the General Manager of Information Technology, "The project was the most successful major system implementation at Powercor with strong user acceptance and very solid system performance and stability" .

Powercor used Opal's simSCADA software package and testing methodologies for point-to-point testing, and performance and stability testing and tuning. Using this approach, the entire point-to-point testing for over 10,000 SCADA points was completed in around 2 weeks, and the cut-over to the live system was achieved in a single day.

The responsibilities include procurement and integration of all Hardware, software load and configuration, development of data capture and test plans, on-going consultancy for data migration and system configuration and support for the system once placed into production.

Powercor is a long standing and important customer to Opal Software, and since the initial system implementation, Opal has benefited from Powercor’s ongoing support of our products, and input into our development roadmap.

Queensland Alumina Limited

Queensland alumina acquired simSCADA to assist with testing of DNP SCADA I/O in their plant operations.

Horizon Power

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Horizon Power covers a large area of Western Australia, and its distribution network covers one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world.

Horizon embarked upon a DMS implementation project with the ENMAC DMS suite in 2007, and engaged Opal Software to perform data migration services, and supply our trendSCADA and simSCADA products.

The data migration work required Opal to extract data from Horizon’s GIS system and legacy SCADA systems, manipulate the data in our data migration tools, and then import into the target ENMAC system.

The project was created on time and budget, and Horizon continues to utilise Opal for specialist engineering services work.

Wellington Electricity

When the parent company of Powercor Australia purchased the Wellington lines business in New Zealand from Vector Electricity, the transition arrangements for the acquisition required the establishment of a stand alone control room and control room systems.

Powercor engaged Opal Software to implement an ENMAC DMS/SCADA system for the newly formed lines business in Wellington, which has since become known as Wellington Electricity.

12 Months was allowed for the transition, however the DMS implementation project started 3 months into this transition period, leaving approximately 9 months to implement the full system.

Working closely with GE Energy, CSC, WeDoIT and Powercor, Opal Software had overall responsibility for the DMS/SCADA system implementation, with the scope of work including:

• Overall Project Management
• Data Migration for the SCADA Scan database, customer/premise information to support the outage management function and the HV non-telemetered network model, with data sourced from the GIS system
• Configuration of the DMS to suit WE* business requirements, including development of all symbology and rules
• Overall system design and hardware and software integration
• The development of a middle-ware solution to support B2B requirements between retailers, the control room and an external field services provider.

“Opal’s depth of experience, valuable toolset and their commitment to hitting the timeframe have been key factors in the success of this project”

Alastair Boustead
Wellington Transition Manager – IS Systems
Powercor Australia

CE Electric

"... the approach to testing made possible by the simSCADA software application is an innovative approach in the industry, and I am not aware of other vendors with a similar applications."

Andrew Ward

YEDL Networks Project Manager

CE Electric

C E Electric is one of the largest electricity distribution companies in the United Kingdom, covering an area of 25,000 square kilometres in the North East of England, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, providing electricity to over 3.5 million premises. CE was formed by the merger of YEDL and NEDL. As part of this merger, a combined SCADA system was implemented which has in excess of 100,000 SCADA points.

CE used simSCADA to undertake comprehensive performance testing on the new system and CE is estimating savings of several man-years effort in point-to-point testing.

GE Energy

GE is a major vendor of SCADA/DMS/EMS systems, and is an Opal Software vendor partner. GE utilises simSCADA and simNET for in-house testing and training, and to assist with product development.

Working in collaboration with GE, Opal has developed simSCADA data migration tools for the ENMAC and XA21 SCADA platforms.

Opal Software also has extensive experience implementing the GE ENMAC DMS and has played a key role in every ENMAC implementation in the Asia Pacific area. Through our work with ENMAC projects, Opal has developed an extensive set of data migration tools, including the NMS InFusion and SCADA InFusion applications to manage bulk uptake and incremental updates the ENMAC DMS. Please read our product pages for more information on these applications.

WPD

Western Power Distribution supplies electricity to Wales and the South West of England.

WPD acquired simSCADA in 2006 to replace an older RTU simulation platform used for testing and training. The old platform consisted of several dozen laptop computers, each able to simulate a single communications channel.

With simSCADA, the entire SCADA network could be simulated with a single workstation.

WAPA

San Jose The Western Area Power Administration operates a hydro electric generation and transmission network in central and western U.S.

In 2008, WAPA implemented a new Areva EMS, and selected simSCADA for point to point testing. Opal also provided the Areva to simSCADA data migration tool as part of the overall scope of supply.

“Your product is saving the SCADA team's bacon as we do point-to-point testing....Management here is very pleased. I am very impressed with the product, and it is saving us a ton of time not having to re-model anything during actual point-to-point testing.”

Steve Schmiesing
Western Area Power Administration

Transpower

Transpower is an electricity transmission company that provides bulk electricity transmission for New Zealand.

Transpower acquired simSCADA through Amalgamated Systems as an Opal Software OEM, and has been using simSCADA for testing and pre-commissioning of SCADA sites within its network.

SSE

Scottish and Southern Electric distribute electricity to 3.5 million homes, offices and businesses in the north of Scotland and central and southern England. SSE also owns and maintains the 132kV and 275kV electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland.

SSE undertook an initiative to test its two DMS systems for stability and performance under black start and major storm conditions, and selected simSCADA to provide the mechanism to test the DMS under these loading conditions.

Opal Software worked with SSE to develop a range of scripts which simulated the SCADA changes of state that would occur in a black start and major storm event. As a result of these tests, SSE identified several issues with data and system performance in their DMS and has taken measures to address them; providing a high level of confidence in the DMS should the real events ever occur.

SSE also implemented a training simulator using the simNET product. simNET works with simSCADA to provide a model of the network that allows simulated faults to be applied anywhere in the network, and then interacts with the DMS and the trainee operator to provide a realistic simulation of network behavior.

ESKOM

"simSCADA has provided Eskom with the tools to confidently avoid the need to travel to all of its RTUs to recommission them in the new master-station. Using simSCADA, Eskom will now be able to commission the new master-station using the simSCADA created virtual RTUs. This will result in significant savings in time and money which when added to the other features of simSCADA makes the business case very strong."

Ken Brown

Telecontrol Discipline Specialist

Eskom

Eskom is a vertically integrated generation, transmission and distribution company - the largest producer of electricity in Africa, and one of the ten largest electricity utilities in the world.

Eskom recently completed a project to replace 5 legacy SCADA systems used to control its electricity distribution network. The total SCADA point count across the networks was around 100,000. Opal Software was selected to provide a whole of SCADA simulation framework for testing and commissioning the new systems.

As part of this work, 3 new protocols were developed (Estel, Estel Variant and Intrac) for simSCADA. The DNP protocol (which was already available as part of the standard simSCADA product) was also supplied. The work included the development of an automated data migration utility to populate simSCADA's database from the 5 legacy master stations.

The contract was awarded in December 2005. Initial development for the three protocols was completed within 4 months of the contract award, and acceptance testing for the protocol implementation and data migration utility was completed within 6 months of contract award.

Amalgamated Systems

Hamilton

Amalgamated Systems in a New Zealand based systems integrator providing SCADA solutions to the electrical industry. Amalgamated Systems was selected by Opal Software to act as a reseller for simSCADA in New Zealand.

Orion Energy

Christchurch

The total scope of work included:

• Data Migration for the SCADA Scan database
• HV network model build, with data sourced from an Intergraph GIS system. The NMS InFusion application was used for display layout proto-typing and model build.
• Management of the data uptake process.
• Provision of the simSCADA application for point to point testing and familiarisation training.
• Modifications to the OPC interface to the ENMAC DMS.
• Provision of tools to assist with incremental maintenance of Orion’s SCADA database and displays.

LIPA

The Long Island Power Authority supplies power to Long Island, New York. LIPA implemented an ENMAC DMS, and selected simSCADA to assist with testing during the implementation phase.

Powerlink Queensland

Powerlink is an electricity transmission company providing electricity to Queensland, Australia. When Powerlink has recently commenced a major system upgrade for their SNC Lavalin EMS SCADA system, and has acquired simSCADA to assist with system testing.

As part of the overall scope of work, Opal developed a data migration tool for the SNC Lavalin system to allow simSCADA to be populated with a complete SCADA database from the master station’s underlying database.

Opal also developed an event replay capability in simSCADA to support Powerlink’s testing requirements. This facility allows Powerlink to replay any sequence of SCADA indications and analogue variations from historical data obtained from their EMS historian.

This allows testing of advanced functions in the upgraded EMS, such as state estimation, load flow and contingency analysis, as well as ensuring the system performance is adequate when perturbed by unusually high levels of SCADA changes.

Hydro Tasmania

Hydro Tasmania is an electricity generation company providing renewable energy to the Southern Australian States.

Hydro Tasmania uses simSCADA for testing and training with a Siemens EMS system. Both the Conitel and DNP protocols are in use in the system.

Opal developed a Siemens Telegyr data migration tool as part of the scope of work for Hydro Tasmania.

ActewAGL

ActewAGL provides Electricity, Water and Waste Water services for the ACT (Australian Capital Territory), servicing a customer base of approximately 120,000.

Opal Software provided both Project Management and System integration services for ActewAGL's electrical distribution network SCADA/DMS system. After a successful project implementation, Opal has been retained by ActewAGL to provide ongoing system support services for the SCADA/DMS production system.

Opal Software also provided Project Management and implementation services for a Works and Asset Management System for the entire organisation, and again, has been retained to provide on-going support services following a successful project outcome.

In addition to these major projects, Opal has also implemented a number of software applications including maintenance utilities for ActewAGL's premise database, an access permits system and various integration tools to assist with data transfer requirements between major corporate systems.

Opal and ActewAGL are currently in the process of performing major system upgrades of their SCADA/NMS/DMS systems.

ActewAGL is Opal Software’s oldest customer; Opal has been providing critical support services for ActewAGL for more than 10 years. As our local electricity distributor and oldest customer, ActewAGL is also one of our most important customers, and has a significant input into our product and services development road map.

ABB USA

ABB is a major vendor of SCADA/DMS/EMS systems, and is an Opal Software vendor partner. ABB utilises simSCADA for in-house testing and training and to assist with product development. Working in collaboration with ABB, Opal has developed data migration tools for the ABB Ranger, Spider and Network Manager SCADA platforms.

EDF Energy

EDF Energy is the largest electricity distribution companies in the UK, supplying gas and electricity to almost 7.8 million customers.

In 2005, EDF replaced one of its major legacy SCADA systems with a new GE ENMAC SCADA/DMS for the southern portion of its substantial distribution network.

Opal Software was selected to provide simulation services to EDF for testing, commissioning and training. The scope of supply included the development of the EWISP protocol, with three variants, and software to migrate data from the legacy master station to simSCADA. The total SCADA point count was in excess of 100,000.

The initial protocol development and database migration utility was complete within 4 months of contract award, and EDF successfully completed full point to point testing of the new SCADA system using simSCADA.

In 2009, EDF installed another GE ENMAC DMS for its London Control room, and following the success of the first DMS implementation in the southern network, acquired simSCADA for point to point testing in the second system.

At the same time, EDF acquired simSCADA for testing and training in its third control room in the south east of England.

Serck Controls

Serck controls provides the SCX and ClearSCADA platforms, and is a valued vendor partner with Opal Software.

Opal Software provides simSCADA to Serck Controls for in-house testing and product development, and has developed a data migration tool for the SCX/ClearSCADA software products in co-operation with Serck Controls.

AGL

Melbourne, Victoria

AGL used Opal Software’s simSCADA product to assist with the cutover and commissioning activities for a major SCADA system replacement project. The project involved the commissioning of a new SNC Lavalin GEN 4 SCADA system and the decommissioning of a Citec and Foxboro SCADA System.

The Modbus, DNP and Conitel protocols were all used as part of the project. The overall testing architecture used is illustrated in the diagram below.

MOESK

MOESK is an electricity transmission and distribution company that supplies Moscow and surrounding areas in Russia. MOESK is currently implementing and ENMAC DMS, and selected simSCADA to assist with testing and training in the new DMS.

Western Power

Western Power is a vertically integrated electrical distribution and transmission company supplying power to Perth and surrounding areas in Western Australia. Western Power acquired Opal Softwares simSCADA product, including data migration tools for both the GE XA21 EMS and GE ENMAC DMS to assist with system testing and training.

Elia

Elia is an electricity transmission company supplying bulk power to Belgium. Elia is using simSCADA to test and commission its new ABB SCADA/EMS.

PEPCO

Pepco is a vertically integrated energy company supplying power to 770,000 customers in the Washington DC area. In 2009, Pepco implemented a GE XA21 EMS system, and selected simSCADA for point to point commissioning and system testing activities.

WEL Energy

WEL Energy is an electricity distribution company providing power to the Hamilton region of New Zealand.

Opal Software was engaged to provide data migration services for WEL’s GE ENMAC DMS implementation project, and to provide our simSCADA software for testing.

The total scope of work included:

• Data Migration for the SCADA Scan database
• HV network model build, with data sourced from an Intergraph GIS system. The NMS InFusion application was used for display layout proto-typing and model build.
• Management of the data uptake process.
• Provision of the simSCADA application for point to point testing and familiarisation training.

Central Networks East

Central Networks East is part of the e-on group in the United Kingdom, supplying power to around 5 Million customers. Central Networks East selected simSCADA for testing and training with its GE ENMAC SCADA/DMS.

Opal developed the MK3 protocol as part of the overall project, as well as supplying the ENMAC to simSCADA data migration tool.

Central Networks West

Central Networks West is part of the e-on group in the United Kingdom, supplying power to around 5 Million customers. Central Networks West selected simSCADA for point to point testing for its new GE ENMAC SCADA/DMS.

AEP