Unlocking the full potential of data historians across the modern power grid: from generation

IEDs, smart meters, etc, overwhelming traditional SCADA/DCS systems and relational databases. Utilities are therefore adopting specialised Time‑Series Databases (TSDBs) and historians, optimised for timestamp indexing, high‑frequency ingestion, and compression techniques such as exception reporting and swinging door algorithms. These approaches preserve signal fidelity while reducing storage costs, enabling long‑term retention of granular operational data.

The paper emphasizes the importance of semantic standards such as the Common Information

Model (CIM), IEC 61850, and OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) to overcome silos and ensure interoperability. A case study of Eskom’s RMDC shows how centralised historian architecture enables proactive fleet‑wide monitoring, predictive fault detection, and reliability‑centred operations. By integrating diverse data sources including turbine vibration monitors, generator health systems, transformer gas analysers, and enterprise systems, RMDC provides a unified “single version of the truth.” Future directions include consolidating legacy platforms into unified TSDB architectures, hybrid cloud adoption, and advanced capabilities such as digital twins and AI‑driven analytics.