Análisis de la factibilidad de mejorar la disponibilidad del sistema SCADA durante los procesos de mantenimiento de los equipos de la micro-red de la Universidad de Cuenca

Abstract

This report focuses on the challenges associated with increasing the availability of Supervi- sory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the industrial sector, specifically in the Micro-Grid Laboratory of the University of Cuenca. This system monitors and controls various equipment through a wired Operational Technologies (OT) network. The primary problem addressed lies in the interruptions caused in the communication and control of the SCADA system during device maintenance procedures, which affects the sys- tem’s functionality. Disconnecting the power supply for maintenance results in a temporary loss of device detection and control by the SCADA, thus causing a forced system shutdown. To address this issue, three potential hypotheses are proposed. Firstly, the management of network redundancy through Weidmüller switches is explored, using protocols such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Spanning Tree, and Turbo-Ring. Secondly, the installation of a physical bypass in the network to prevent interruptions is suggested by reconfiguring the fiber optic infrastructure. Lastly, the SCADA implementation is analyzed, focusing on the algorithm implemented in Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbech (LabVIEW) and correcting the detected flaws. Each hypothesis was validated through the research methods utilized. The implementation of the selected solutions has achieved continuity in the control and communication of the SCADA system during maintenance processes. Finally, the thesis work concluded with the fulfillment of all the objectives set and a considerable improvement in the system’s initialization time, achieved through all the experiments conducted, mainly by modifying the LabVIEW programming.