SCADA stands for supervisory control and data acquisition. It is a computer system used to gathering and analyzing real time data from sensors in a hydro facility (or other plant), raise alarms when parameters fall outside acceptable ranges, and issue operational commands to the plant equipment. The commands might be something as simple as opening the main gate to the facility when a valid entry card has been presented, or as complex as the logic steps required to start and synchronize a turbine-generator.
The SCADA presents data onto a series of operator’s screens (in the powerhouse control room, or at a remote control site), enabling the operator to monitor the efficiency of power production, start or stop generating units, open and close valves, etc.