SCADA technology is a Game-Changer
SCADA technology is a game-changer that helps to achieve actionable data to operate systems and processes systematically with peak performance. Ideally, businesses shouldn’t be waiting for reports at the quarter-end and should be able to visualize data on a real-time basis. SCADA systems provide key performance indicators and parameters, directly exported from equipment, shopping malls, and retail chains change on a real-time basis such as smartphones and laptops.
Visualization and control of processes at retail Centres
Recently in 2019, a full-fledged SCADA system was implemented in the media and retail center in Dubai, which is a complex project that consists of an automation based solution build for commercial buildings like malls. The detail center consists of technology systems like HVAC, smoke dampers, lights, electrical systems, fire alarm systems, and elevators controlled by PLC systems and visualize HMI systems.
Fan Coil Unit (FCU)
A Fan Coil Unit (FCU) is a device to control the temperature in large-scale buildings like retail centers. SCADA controls HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system and consists of a heat exchanger and fans. In this modern retail center, there are several fan coil units located at different units in the mall, and each requires a separate temperature control system. By using a simple interface created with the SCADA system, the supervisor can set modes and speed separately and also guided it in an automatic mode. These FCU can be monitored by reading their speed, status, and values individually. Communication between the FCU system and the PLCs is based on BACnet/IP.
Lights
Retail centers like malls have enormous lighting and air conditioning, which requires constant maintenance and monitoring of their status, which can be controlled from a laptop or mobile phone remotely. This is all possible if a PLC manages the communication between the lightings and controllers based on a SCADA based system.
Smoke Dampers
A smoke damper is a fire protection equipment that is installed in air conditioning ducts. It is designed to prevent the spread of smoke from the fire origin to other spaces. This is a piece of necessary equipment in retail infrastructures, as the fire in a single shop can spread in the whole mall. Smoke dampers can be connected with fans and water-based systems through SCADA and ultimately cool down the fire through automated water systems.
FAHU (Fresh air handling units)
Fresh air handling units are mandatory for malls as it monitors the temperature, humidity values, and compressor status, which can be managed through SCADA, and air handling units can be controlled.
Pumps
The hot water system provides the whole mall with different inlets of water, which is used for commercial and drinking. It needs to be monitored with the status of irrigation, including devices of pumps, drainage pumps, water tanks, and booster pumps. Automating these pumps can helps malls to manage their water resources in a better way.
Electrical system
Electrical systems in a mall require to monitor circuit breakers in the building’s electrical system, which include current frequency values and voltage control. It is essential to manage the electrical system with automated controls as there are thousands of equipment running on the same grid, and efficient management helps to navigate electrical sources systematically.
Fire alarm systems
It takes a multi-million-dollar investment to start a mall with various retail stores, and fire hazards can completely ruin the mall. A retail center’s fire alarm system ensures to keep the building safe from fire and use monitoring services to ensure the status of each and every corner. The SCADA system can control and monitor fire fighting, foam fire extinguishers, water inlet, and outlets and connect them accordingly.
Elevators
Retail centers are equipped with multiple elevators, which require to be operated and stopped in dangerous times. SCADA connected elevators can send an alarm status to the monitoring system if the power supply goes down. Seamless communication between SCADA systems, elevators, and the primary electrical grid can ensure smooth elevator services across all retail stores.
Generator
In case of power outage or fault in the electrical system, the generator plays a vital role in running the building efficiently with the lighting system and air conditioning. By connecting the generator to the SCADA system can ensure seamless communication between the generator, which can be controlled by a PLC guarantee no power outage takes place.
