Sugar Hill Consulting, LLC

Provide engineering design, specifications, training, and hands-on implementation assistance for SCADA and related advanced applications.  Experienced with SCADA solutions for dozens of utilities involving many of the leading SCADA vendor platforms.  Expertise at integration of IEDs and use of DNP3 and DNP3/IP, equipped with test software and equipment, experienced with many leading manufacturers IEDs, can help configure communications equipment, expert at setting up SCADA databases and alarm management, can build reports, design interfaces, and manage the project or aspects of it.  Willing to provide on the job training of your staff to use and maintain the new System or capabilities.  

If you have ever had any disappointing technology projects you may appreciate the old saying, 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'.   Avoid the pitfalls and engage SHC who is uniquely positioned to help utilities plan their technology and application future.   With a career working coast-to-coast on automation projects, SHC and its President, Tom Lebakken, brings a unique and valuable perspective and skill set to complement your planning team.  Tom can help refine objectives, identify the best strategies and solution types, and lay out a multi-year "road map" with tasks, milestones, approaches, and budgets to get there. 

With experience on automation, information management, and communications technology from the meter, on the feeder, in the substation, in the control center and with customer service applications, SHC is uniquely positioned to support Smart Grid initiatives.  SHC's founder has a unique perspective having substantial experience in all these areas including load management and demand response projects, substation automation, wide area communications systems, distribution automation, SCADA, DMS applications, EMS applications, outage management, AMR/AMI, and others. 

SHC can assist utilities and others with certain aspects of Renewable Energy Projects relating to SCADA and utility side requirements, cost estimating for some of these components, project management, and other areas.  Talk to us and found out what we can do and what team members we can bring in.  Mr. Lebakken has experience leading a team responsible for SCADA for collector substations for a 100 + wind turbine project.

Integrated information systems are key to improving work flow and customer service, increasing staff efficiencies, and providing timely and accurate information to support applications such as Outage Management and work orders and service orders.  Let SHC help your utility get a handle on improving business processes and technical solutions for effective, accurate, and timely flow of information between people and systems including customers.  GIS, automated staking, Work Management, CIS / FIS, AMR / AMI, OMS, and mobile computing platforms are just some of the systems that can factor into the solution.

Success of a project often can have more to do with the skills and leadership of the team, than the choice of System or equipment being used.  Most utilities regardless of size often end up needing to put in Systems and complete projects which are outside the scope of recent experience or at least outside the availability of the utility's technical project managers.  Let SHC help you get the value and results possible with your investment by engaging us to provide some of the necessary project leadership and focus.

SHC can help procure major new Systems and associated services.  We know leading suppliers and have efficient and effective methods to identify the best fit, manage costs, reduce risks, and get your project moving in the right direction.   We are very experienced at not only preparing bid packages but also leading the contracting phase.  We can help you reduce your risks and save you money.

Two-way AMR / AMI systems today have a much improved value equation as compared to just a few years ago.  A key area where SHC can help is identifying and implementing uses and applications of your AMI system and data that goes beyond metering.  There are numerous applications that can leverage a major investment in two-way AMR / AMI.   SHC also can assist with matters related to GIS particularly in the area of integration with other systems.

Is your utility short of staff in a critical area or needing to add resources to manage or implement a major initiative?  Contact SHC to hear how we can help.