Davao Light strengthens control, data system from cyber attacks

WITH people leaning more toward the use of digital technology, power utilities like Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. also took this advantage to innovate more ways to efficiently monitor and control its power distribution system by improving its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system but also making sure to protect it from possible threats such as cyberattacks.

A SCADA system is a collection of both hardware and software elements that allows monitoring and control of processes, both locally and remotely to optimize efficiency by collecting and processing real-time data, and helps provide greater system reliability and sustainability.

It is used for a more seamless way of gathering, monitoring and controlling data to facilitate smarter and faster decisions and deliver more efficient results.

It was in 1996 when Davao Light started to utilize the system. At that time, telephone dial-up communication was used to link remote devices. There were also limited substations connected to it and a mimic board was used to display the simplified distribution network of the electric utility. Innovations and upgrades were continuously done over the years to ensure the use of appropriate technology to improve and enhance the system.

At present, the SCADA system uses fiber optic cable and microwave wireless communications to perform key functions such as monitoring and controlling distant electrical devices and equipment installed in the power distribution network. Moreover, the system can remotely capture data for studies, reports, and troubleshooting purposes. In this way, the duration of unplanned interruptions will be reduced since the system can immediately extract data from the field and help in analyzing the cause of the disruptions, and at the same time find solutions to prevent these unwanted interruptions. Thus, achieving high efficiency in delivering continuous power to the customers.

Davao Light's ERA Substation Control Center has also been upgraded in 2020 to provide tighter security controls on its components like the SCADA server, instrumentation, and relay panels to ensure long term dependability and protection as these facilities perform their critical functions.

The evolution of the SCADA system in Davao Light is already in its 5th generation.

With all these modern developments come modern threats like cyber attacks. These threats can cause electrical blackouts, failure of equipment, and data breaches. In order to protect the distribution grid from the emerging and intensifying threats of cyber attacks, Davao Light makes sure that the fundamentals of cyber security are in place to protect the devices and networks within the system.“In the near future, we will be implementing distribution automation, enhanced outage management system, and energy management system. This is to further improve our power system reliability that will be at par with world class standards,” said System Operations Manager Engr. Virmel Dabon.

Davao Light ensures its customers that the power provided will remain reliable and stable as it continues to improve its electric power systems in the coming years.