Politically speaking, the National Grid refers to the interconnection of Generators, Transmission lines and Substations within a defined space. There are basic tools required for effective grid operation like communication media (PLC/PAX, Optic Fiber, PLS etc.) and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) scheme that helps the Operators of the grid to properly monitor and control grid activities on REAL TIME basis.

The Nigerian grid presently has only 21 SCADA RTUs’ working out of the 78 installed in the Power Stations, 330kV and 132kV Transmission Sub-Stations.

The significance of a functional SCADA system in grid operation cannot be overemphasized as the scheme enables the effective supervision of all connected equipment, including the ability to carry out remote operations when necessary. In this instance, the Grid Operator at the National Control Centre (NCC) can operate any equipment covered under the scheme at any location within the grid particularly during periods when the system is stressed.

Another vital function of the SCADA scheme is that it is used for data acquisition, which is critical for planning purposes and record keeping. With a functional SCADA, copious data of parameters like Amp, Volt, MW, MVAR can be stored and retrieved when needed for system analysis.

With a functional SCADA system, the System Operator is able to accurately predict system behavior per time and take near-accurate decisions. It effectively eliminates guess work and saves time as the System Operator has first-hand information on real time basis and it would be almost impossible to game the system.

The Nigerian National Grid presently lacks an effective SCADA system as the existing SCADA system is a SIEMENS Spectrum type that suffers from the acute limitation of covering less than one percent of the interconnected equipment.

The above situation is most unfortunate and unhealthy as smaller countries like Togo and smaller outfits like Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) have functional SCADA systems with which they monitor their systems. To mitigate the situation, the Nigerian National Grid relies on Internet of Things (IoT) to operate the system, one of the disadvantages of this is that the grid depends on a 3rd party, which could be disrupted without prior notice.

Since the SCADA system is a basic system tool required for the real time operation of the grid as it helps to reduce the incidences of system collapses and ensure the security cum reliability of the system, it is expected that authorities concerned will consider the urgent installation of a functional SCADA system at the NCC.