HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 SCADA Radio ReplacementAGENDA ITEM# 9
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MEETING DATE: February 16, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Roe Vernon, IT/SCADA Engineer
SUBJECT: Water SCADA Radio Replacement
APPROVED BY_______________________________
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the General Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Sage Designs for
the procurement of Schneider Electric’s TRIO Licensed SCADA Radios in an amount not
to exceed $56,425.
BACKGROUND:
To facilitate water utility operations and controls in a safe, efficient and reliable manner,
public water systems utilize a complex network of electrical controls and computerized
data management components referred to as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA). SCADA systems have been utilized in the public water sector for many decades
and continue to evolve in terms of capacity and capabilities. The fundamental goal of all
SCADA systems are to provide reliable, real time, automated control of critical system
infrastructure from a variety of remote locations, and to offer the ability to collect system
performance data often utilized to further enhance the delivery of service.
In 2011 the District recognized the approaching “end of life-cycle” replacement need of its
existing SCADA system, and began the process of conducting a complete Water Utility
SCADA System Replacement Project, including an internally staffed design, engineering,
construction and testing team.
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One of the key components of all SCADA system developments is communication design.
The District’s previous SCADA system was built upon a combination of radio and phone
system communications. The District’s new SCADA system has been designed on a
primary communication over the District owned fiber network, with redundant (back-up)
communications provided through a combination of a licensed radio network and LTE
wireless communications
The District employs licensed serial radios from Teledesign in an effort to increase
reliability and system availability when other communications technologies are not
available due to service interruptions.
In 2020 Teledesign announced it will close business operations and would not be
supporting product upgrades necessary for the District’s expanding system needs. The
District requires a SCADA data radio solution from a vendor supporting the District’s
ongoing needs. To that end the District evaluated the myriad of options available and
selected the TRIO licensed radio package from Schneider Electric. The selection of the
TRIO radio was made in consideration of the District’s current implementation of
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and are also manufactured by Schneider Electric.
While TRIO is not the sole manufacturer of compatible radios, the District has historically
experienced significant challenges in maintaining radio maintenance support and
integration with existing systems. Aligning radio compatibility and existing
vendor/engineering support will offer significant advantages in maintaining reliable SCADA
communications.
In 2021, the District undertook a pilot project at five sites to determine the suitability of
Schneider Electric’s TRIO Licensed SCADA Radios to replace the District’s current
licensed Teledesign Radios. This project was a success. The District is intending to
replace the remainder of the water SCADA data radios with the Trio system over the next
two years. Managing some of the emerging supply chain issues, delivery timelines,
product shelf life and manufacturer warranties are becoming increasingly challenging.
Staff is recommending approval of the procurement at this time, to ensure timely deliveries
and installation ahead of potential failures of unsupported existing radio hardware.
Schneider Electric has identified Sage Designs as the sole sourced vendor for the TRIO
Licensed radio system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FY2022 approved Water Budget included $100,000 under work order 22-95098 Water
SCADA Upgrades. This procurement is part of that project.
ATTACHMENTS:
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