MCCS Modularity – A Proven Success Story

Software engineers from Belgium TSO Elia met with colleagues from MCCS for a three-day hackathon in Brussels. The objective: leveraging the modular approach of the modular control center software MCCS for a software that’s about to be commissioned at Elia. The case: (re-)using the MCCS SLD Builder - which is al- ready working successfully, automatically generating single line diagrams of switch panels. The result: a clear “Yes we can”!

Elia is about to replace a software used during maintenance procedures as a further step in terms of the digitalization of op- erational safety. One of the components of this new software for Elia must make it possible to display a single line diagram (SLD) which is easy to read, representing the real situation in the field, and which also makes it possible to visualize the safety measures put in place for a specific work task. The cur- rent software choice can’t deliver that - yet.

Instead of developing - or purchasing - an own solution, Elia colleagues approached MCCS and the developers of 50Hertz’ future modular control center software (MCCS) with an easy question: can’t we use your tool for SLD generation for our own purpose?

Hackathons: A Fast and Effective Way to Add Business Value

They chose the method of a hackathon to bring experts from business and solution development to the table, evalu- ate whether there are feasible solutions to the most important requirements and to deliver a solution quickly and pragmatically. Staffed with Elia software engineers and experts, supported by their 50Hertz colleagues, the hacka- thon in Brussels mid-February quickly implemented to core requirements and adapted the tool. The event took three days including preparing and presenting the success to management. 

Arya Fazilat is the MCCS’ Manager for Cooperations:

You’ve seen what we can achieve in just two-and-a-half days. Imagine what we can achieve in a week, a month, a year with this approach

A Go! From All Sides

The results are impressive as all objectives could be fulfilled or a clear path devised how to fulfill them. Management agreed and encouraged the team to continue. Damien Vanvrekom is Program Manager for Digitalization at Elia:

There's the obvious success that we developed a working solution within practically no time ... additionally, the feedback from the developers was highly positive. It’s a Go! from all sides.