Trimark’s new True:SCADA platform brings high-speed control, secure monitoring, and portfolio-wide configurability to large-scale PV + BESS assets. (Photo Credit: Trimark Associates, Inc.) 
Technology

Trimark Launches SCADA For Utility PV + BESS Projects

This SCADA offers data reliability, cybersecurity, and performance optimization in real-time

Rajarshi Sengupta

  • Trimark Associates has unveiled its latest SCADA system, True:SCADA, for utility-scale PV + BESS projects 

  • This platform, which runs on the open-source Linux operating system, shows resilience to demanding grid conditions in a PV + BESS project 

  • It can be configured and deployed by Trimark-certified or third-party integrators, as well as the asset owner themselves 

US-based provider of utility-scale supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), Trimark Associates, Inc., recently introduced True:SCADA for PV plus battery energy storage system (BESS) applications.  

A SCADA system is a centralized digital platform that visualizes, monitors, controls, and coordinates the performance of solar generation and battery storage assets (charge/discharge) in real time to ensure reliable and safe grid-connected operation. It continuously transfers real-time operational data, such as power output, equipment status, and grid conditions, between field devices and the regional power control center via telemetry-based communications. 

According to Trimark, the system prioritizes data reliability, speed, cybersecurity, and scalable configuration.  

True:SCADA is engineered to ensure continuous operation under demanding grid conditions, says Trimark. Unlike the standard SCADA systems, this platform runs on an open-source operating system (OS), Linux. According to the company, Linux provides a robust security framework that reduces the risk of cyberattacks, a critical factor for grid-connected energy systems. It also boosts the system’s stability, helping it run continuously without frequent crashes or reboots, which is crucial for maintaining an uninterrupted energy supply. Meanwhile, its compatibility with ‘modern computing environments’ like modern servers and cloud-based systems, among others, enables the SCADA with capabilities like data analytics, interoperability with third-party energy management systems (EMS). These attributes allow operators to manage assets (PV + BESS) remotely, dynamically respond to grid disturbances, and optimize energy use, while maintaining a secure and stable IT environment.  

This platform can be configured and deployed by Trimark-certified or third-party integrators. Asset owners can also configure the SCADA system. This deployment flexibility allows quick configuration without relying on a single vendor or a specialized team, and speeds up the commissioning and integration of PV + BESS assets into an existing infrastructure. 

Trimark notes that the system directly addresses challenges associated with PV + BESS operations, such as dynamic grid interactions, the complex behavior of various power-electronics devices, and frequent, rapid fluctuations in solar generation. Among the attributes that support these requirements are data management, which collects and processes large volumes of real-time data, enabling operators to analyze performance and identify issues quickly. Its system communication protocols and remote accessibility also help in addressing challenges. 

The company says the system includes standardized templates and configuration frameworks to streamline commissioning of multiple sites. 

Trimark plans to expand True:SCADA with additional training programs, community initiatives, and integration resources aimed at supporting both owners and third-party professionals.