Colorado Springs Utilities has awarded Open Systems International Inc. (OSI) a contract to implement multiple new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and energy management systems (EMS) to upgrade its gas, water and electric system operations.

Springs Utilities, a community-owned utility, provides electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services to more than 650,000 customers within the Pikes Peak region of Colorado.

In line with this philosophy, Springs Utilities has selected OSI automation technology across three of its utilities to significantly enhance system operations; improve reliability; and reduce maintenance and operating costs. Springs Utilities has selected OSI based on its proven customer satisfaction track record and its modern technology, which can readily meet the needs of diverse electric, gas and water customers.

The contract includes delivery of three monarch (Multi-platform Open Network ARCHitecture) platforms, including OSI's next-generation Microsoft .NET based graphical user interface; SCADA functionality; real-time and historical trending; communications front-end processor capability for DNP, Modbus and Vancomm protocols; historical information system and data archiving; inter-control center communications protocol; and load control/load shed. The electric EMS includes advanced applications, such as automatic generation control and dispatch; unit commitment/transaction evaluation; short-term load forecasting; network security analysis; transaction management system and voltage/var control.

To learn more, visit at www.csu.org or www.osii.com.