Workshop-4: Automation in Power Grids

Duration: 6 hours

The need for a reliable and efficient energy supply is a major requirement of modern Power Grids. Due to the vast size and infrastructure involved in Power grids most of the tasks are automated, controlled, remotely supervised. The state of the art in this regard are Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs) and Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). SCADA systems have traditionally played a vital role by providing utilities with valuable knowledge and capabilities that are key to a primary business function - delivering power in a reliable and safe manner. A quality SCADA solution is central to effective operation of a utility's most critical and costly distribution, transmission, and generation assets. Today’s SCADA systems, in response to changing business needs, have added new functionalities and are aids for strategic advancements towards interactive, self-healing grids of the future. A well planned and implemented SCADA system not only helps utilities deliver power reliably and safely to their customers but also helps to lower costs and achieve higher customer satisfaction and retention.

Automation and SCADA systems are vulnerable to cyber-attack from inside and outside the control system network. To understand the vulnerabilities associated with control systems you must know the types of communications and operations associated with the control system as well as have an understanding of the how attackers are using the system vulnerabilities to their advantage. This workshop also provides a overview of these topics.

 

Key objectives

By the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:
1. Advance their knowledge about the use of Automation and SCADA in Power grids
2. Understand how SCADA and grid technologies should be integrated to enable a modern grid
3. Get an overall picture of what the grid of the future would be like with advanced ICT
4. Understand the security issues faced by Smart Grid and SCADA
 

Workshop Outline

1. Introduction to SCADA
2. Introduction to Power Grids
3. Introduction to PLCs and ladder logic programming
4. Introduction to Automation in Power Grids
5. SCADA and Cyber Security Considerations

Targeted Audience

Our target ordinance includes academics and companies, undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and other researchers and engineers. The tutorial will be a great venture especially for students at both the graduate and under-graduate levels. 

Workshop Fees

For Students:
IEEE Student Members: Rs. 500
Non-IEEE Student Members: Rs. 800
For Professionals:
IEEE Members: Rs. 2000
Non-IEEE Members: Rs. 3000

Instructor Biography

Dr. Ammar Hasan is an Assistant Professor at SEECS, NUST. He did his PhD and Masters in control systems from Imperial College London, UK. He has an academic experience of over 4 years and industry experience of over 3 years.

Dr. Hammad Iqbal Sherazi has done his PhD from University of Glasgow in Intelligent Control Systems. He is working in SEECS-NUST since last 3 years as Assistant Professor. He has worked in automation industry for 4 years on different SCADA and PLC systems.

Engr. Saqib Nazir is a Lab Engineer at SEECS, NUST and currently doing Masters in Control Systems. He has an industry experience of over 3 years in automation and SCADA systems.