SUCCESS STORY
From OPC UA incompatibility to real-time Historian access, without downtime
How vNode delivered secure OPC UA interoperability between Advantech SCADA and ABB Historian at DEWA’s Jebel Ali Power Station by resolving critical NodeID namespace incompatibilities, while keeping all turbines fully operational.
DEWA required historian logging for its GT4 and GT5 turbines. However, the Advantech OPC UA server exposed numeric NodeIDs, which ABB Historian cannot interpret, as it only supports string-based NodeIDs.
There was no native translation layer available and turbine operations could not be interrupted.
Key pain bullets:
- Numeric NodeIDs vs. string NodeIDs = no browsing or historical logging
- ABB Historian cannot natively re-map or reinterpret Advantech’s tag structure
- Integration had to be non-intrusive, with zero disruption to live turbine control
THE SOLUTION
vNode as the Secure OPC UA bridge
Connect: vNode subscribes to all GT4/GT5 data points from Advantech SCADA.
Re-map: Numeric NodeIDs → human-readable, structured strings.
Serve: ABB Historian browses and logs compatible tags in real time.
RESULTS
From Data gap to historian continuity
Full historian integration for GT4 & GT5 turbines
Zero downtime during deployment
Scalable, standards-based OPC UA architecture
Encrypted sessions & authenticated access aligned with IT/OT policy
Vendor-neutral and scalable to new systems, turbines or plants.
Key achievements
Enhanced operational efficiency
Real-time optimization reduced drilling times and improved decision-making processes.
Agility and stability
The project development time was significantly reduced, accelerating time-to-market.
Replicability and scalability
The solution was successfully replicated across various projects, establishing a strong framework for future scalability.
Advanced pressure management
Precise and dynamic pressure management led to improved safety and operational stability.
Ongoing support
Continuous technical support from vNode ensured the system’s reliability and adaptability.
“vNode made it possible for DEWA to access their SCADA data in real-time for historical logging, without modifying any existing system.”
CLIENT
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) operates one of the largest power and water utilities in the UAE.
Rebus Novus is a Dubai-based consulting firm offering business development, engineering consultancy, digital transformation, market analytics, M&A and company formation services across MENA, helping startups and SMEs scale efficiently.
