Trimark Regional Operations Center-based Controller Meets NERC-CIP Requirements
Trimark’s System Supports Centralized Control and Cyber Security Best Practices
Trimark Associates, Inc., the industry leader in intelligent renewable energy control, has deployed Vantage™ on client premises. This portfolio asset monitoring and management system meets NERC-CIP Medium Impact Requirements while still allowing regional operation centers to manage distributed solar and wind power resources. Trimark’s industry-leading solution is the only utility-scale SCADA solution that can be deployed in the cloud, a private cloud, and hybrid environments while maintaining full monitoring and operations capabilities.
Based on NERC-reliability standards, Trimark’s client decided to move control of sites that generate more than 75 MW to their NERC-registered data center because NERC does not currently have security standards for control systems that are hosted in the cloud.
Trimark collaborated with the client in all aspects of the project including understanding NERC requirements, system setup, physical design considerations, and database migration strategies. Trimark configured its system to allow control requests only from the customer data center. Trimark also configured the system to retain read-only cloud access for business functions (e.g. reporting, billing, and analytics) that have no control implications. This approach allows business users full and direct access to business data while supporting NERC’s requirements.
The resulting system utilized existing server hardware at an established control center in Utah that manages generation resources located throughout the United States. Based on the success of this project, Trimark was also contracted to deliver similar, on-premise SCADA at two additional regional control centers in Ohio.
Trimark’s SCADA solution combines intelligent automation, real-time control, and a highly-intuitive user interface. Trimark’s SCADA lets users view and control entire resources or a specific device at a site. The system automates routine actions, validates, and processes external commands, and unifies control over all elements of the resource to deliver precise power values at the point of interconnection.
About Trimark
Trimark Associates, Inc. (Trimark) delivers industry-leading solutions to allow real-time operational control, enable informed management of power production operations, and support regulatory compliance. Trimark’s turnkey products, engineering, and customer support services control, measure, and manage all aspects of power production that utility-scale power producers require to maintain peak business performance.