Fudeh - Energy & Control Consultants Inc. U.S.A.
Hoveida - Energy & Control Consultants Inc. U.S.A.
Mokhtari - Empros System International U.S.A.

The computer system technology which is used in the Energy Management Systems (EMS) to monitor and control the generation, transmission, and distribution of power is undergoing radical, generational changes. The old ways of procuring energy management and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are definitely disappearing. Computer control systems are being reshaped into distributed, open, networked systems that are more economical, maintainable, expandable, upgradeable, and flexible. This paper presents an overview of the state of technology, trends, and issues concerning electric utility computer control systems. The EMS architectures and latest developments and trends are discussed. The paper also presents an overview of the latest technologies in the areas of database management systems, user interface, and typical EMS software functions, such as SCADA, alarm processing, AGC, economic dispatch, interchange scheduling, transaction evaluation, unit commitment, hydrothermal scheduling, state estimation, bcontingency analysis, optimal power flow, etc.