SurvalentONE SCADA is way better than the SCADA we had until now, and we regret not switching to it years ago. It has been an amazing experience working with the Survalent team. We now have an extraordinary SCADA system that is already transforming the way we operate.
The Challenge
The City of Salem’s legacy SCADA system had become unstable, prone to glitches, and burdened by steep training requirements and limited functionality. The outdated system made day-to-day operations inefficient and hindered the utility’s ability to maintain reliable service. Salem needed a modern, easy-to-use platform that could improve visibility, operator efficiency, and long-term maintainability.
The Solution
After consulting peers through the Municipal Electric Power Association of Virginia (MEPAV), Salem chose SurvalentONE SCADA for its intuitive interface, powerful visualization capabilities, and proven reliability. Delivered as a turnkey implementation, the project included database and graphics development for 11 substations and 2 generators, along with operator training and commissioning – all completed within six months.
The new system’s user-friendliness and advanced display capabilities have greatly improved operator confidence and efficiency while reducing training overhead. Survalent’s detailed point verification process even helped identify wiring errors that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, highlighting the system’s precision and value.
With its new SCADA foundation, Salem has enhanced reliability and reduced maintenance burdens, effectively positioning itself for future grid modernization.
The City of Salem Electric Department, established in 1892, owns and operates its own electricity distribution system serving 13,300 customers across Virginia. The utility manages 11 substations, one transmission switching station, and nearly 200 miles of distribution lines while also maintaining the city’s streetlights and traffic signals.