Nor-Cal Controls recently hosted its first-ever SCADA Summit from June 9 to 12, 2025, at our headquarters in the heart of El Dorado Hills, California. Building upon the strong foundation of our traditional Solar & Storage Operations Training (SSOT), the SCADA Summit was designed as an elevated experience, delving deeper into the critical world of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition for the renewable energy sector.
This intensive four-day event brought together industry professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of SCADA systems, network with peers, and gain practical insights from our team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). We were delighted to welcome attendees representing a diverse range of leading companies, all eager to expand their knowledge in this vital area.
The SCADA Summit offered a comprehensive agenda, carefully curated to cater to varying levels of expertise and specific interests. Here’s a glimpse into the engaging sessions and activities that took place:
Day 1: Dive into BESS
The Summit began on Monday afternoon with a focused and interactive IES BESS DEMO, providing attendees with a tangible look at the battery energy storage system in action. This experience was complemented by an open "Ask the Expert" session and foundational 101 Training specifically tailored for those new to SCADA concepts within the BESS context.
Day 2: SCADA Foundations and Networking
Tuesday marked the full-day kick-off of broader SCADA topics. Sessions began with an overview of The Nor-Cal Difference & Industry Trends, setting the stage for subsequent deep dives into Field Readiness for Deployment (SCADA, MET, COMM) and an Intro to SCADA covering different designs (PV/BESS/EMS) and hardware. Practical learning included Networking Introduction & Design Considerations and Networking: Basic Troubleshooting, with a focus on capturing useful Wireshark data. The day also featured another "Ask the Expert" session and a fun, competitive SCADA Showdown Challenge. Day one wrapped up with a relaxed and social Happy Hour event held at a local restaurant that included valuable networking and camaraderie among attendees.
Days 3 & 4: Advanced SCADA and Practical Application
These final days were dedicated to in-depth Advanced SCADA topics. Highlights included crucial Cybersecurity Training, addressing grid reliability, NERC functions, and NERC/CIP compliance. Attendees explored SCADA Data Flow & Configuration and gained insights into BMS Systems (BESS & EMS) for EPCs and owners. The sessions featured Control Philosophy & Tuning + Industry Trends, alongside highly anticipated Hands-on training: SCADA/BESS. It also covered Technical Asset Management & Performance Analytics, differentiating between Plant Monitoring SCADA and Event Management. Attendees participated in focused Workshops, choosing between "Streamlining the Process for EPCs" and "Troubleshooting 101: Most Common Mistakes."
Thursday's advanced sessions offered insights into NCC Support for maximizing post-project experience, a deep dive into Analytics - Basics & Advanced Reporting, and more Hands-on training: MET/COMM Training focusing on Field Network Troubleshooting & Wiring. The Summit concluded with engaging Workshops, including a Q&A Panel with Nor-Cal Industry Experts and a discussion on the State of the Market, topped off with an informative Production Warehouse Guided Tour, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Nor-Cal’s operations.
Meet Our Expert Team
The SCADA Summit was led by our exceptional team of Subject Matter Experts. We extend our sincere gratitude to our Fabulous SMEs: Chuck, Cory, Datta, Joey, Mack, Michael, Riley, Rob, and Steven A., as well as our Wonderful backup SMEs: Gotham and Roshen, for sharing their knowledge and expertise throughout the event.
Positive Feedback Highlights the Impact
The incredible feedback from our attendees highlighted the value of the SCADA Summit. We were thrilled by the engagement and the insightful discussions that filled the room.
Here’s what a couple of attendees shared on LinkedIn:
“Nor-Cal puts on a heck of an event. Well worth your time if you want to understand Solar and Battery SCADA!”
- Wesley D. Barrier, Specialist at Dominion Energy
“Had the amazing opportunity to go deepen my knowledge of SCADA as well as connect with some other industry experts. Huge thanks to the Nor-Cal Controls Team for hosting this amazing event.”
- Luis Quintero, ICS SCADA Network Security Architect at RES
Looking Ahead
After the fantastic turnout and positive feedback, it's clear our first SCADA Summit is here to stay as a fundamental part of our training as we are already looking forward to welcoming future editions, which we'll continue to tailor and refine based on attendee feedback and evolving industry needs. This means that while the highlights from this Summit provide a great overview, the specific agenda for future events will be thoughtfully adjusted to ensure we're always delivering the most relevant and impactful experience.
Stay tuned for details about the next SCADA Summit where we promise to deliver another valuable and enriching experience! Have a project you want to discuss? Contact Nor-Cal today.
