SAGE Automation delivered a low cost, maintainable solution for monitoring 38 of Melbourne Water’s most critical retarding basins.
The solution incorporated ‘RTU-Dataloggers’*, field sensor devices and SAGE’s cloud-based SCADA service ‘STRATUS’ for interim alarming and visualisation.Field works were managed by ALS Global and supported by SAGE.
Solution challenges: connected devices and SCADA
The logistics of finding and implementing the solution were complex: the field devices had to be non-powered and non-solar, a problem easily solved by fitting the RTU-Datalogger with an external battery for 3–5 years of power.
In addition, the solution required secure wireless communications that connected to the client’s SCADA system.
“We found that additional IT infrastructure was required to allow this,” SAGE Automation Senior Project Manager Stephen Coward said.
“We had to bridge the gap with an interim solution, which was SAGE’s cloud-based SCADA service called ‘STRATUS’,” he said.
This allowed Melbourne Water to take the time to develop their end solution and install the appropriate IT infrastructure.
Melbourne Water’s Automation Uplift Project Manager Russell Riding said the solution was ideal.
“STRATUS allowed us to achieve the remote monitoring required while we develop and install secure IT systems to support the end solution,” Mr Riding said.
“The way SAGE tackled our requirements and current gap was very professional. They understood our issues and found the best low cost solution while continuing to support our current and near-future needs,” he said
