What is the Difference Between SCADA and ADMS for Grid Management? Author Sticky GE Vernova GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.GE Vernova’s Electrification Software business is focused on delivering the intelligent applications and insights needed to accelerate electrification and decarbonization across the entire energy ecosystem – from how it’s created, how it’s orchestrated, to how it’s consumed. Aug 05, 2025 Last Updated 3 minutes Share As electric utilities modernize aging infrastructure and navigate the energy transition, software systems like SCADA and ADMS have become central to grid operations. SCADA systems have long been the backbone of real-time monitoring and control, typically offering 99.98% uptime . But today’s challenges demand more.ADMS is the next-generation evolution built for flexibility, resilience, and edge-level grid intelligence,In this blog, we’ll explore what SCADA and ADMS each bring to the table, how they differ in scope, and why utilities are increasingly turning to advanced platforms like ADMS to meet today’s demands for flexibility and distributed energy integration. What is SCADA? SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a system architecture used by utilities and other industries to monitor and control equipment across a network. SCADA software is foundational to utility operations because it provides immediate insights into equipment health, power flows, and outage conditions. Operators use SCADA data to make fast, informed decisions and dispatch field crews effectively, which is especially important during faults or storms.At its core, a SCADA system consists of four key components: Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which interface with physical devices in the fieldA communications network to transmit data between field devices and control centersA central database or historian that stores and processes operational dataAn Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that provides operators with a visual interface for system monitoring and control The SCADA HMI is the operator’s dashboard, which presents system status, alarms, and controls through graphical displays and real-time data streams.SCADA systems are highly reliable for daily operations, but they primarily focus on data acquisition and basic control. As the grid becomes more dynamic, especially with growing volumes of distributed energy resources (DERs), electric vehicles, and variable loads, utilities are finding that SCADA alone isn’t enough to manage the full complexity. What is ADMS? ADMS (Advanced Distribution Management System) is software that provides utilities with a real-time, integrated view of the distribution grid. It combines monitoring, control, automation, and analytics into a single interface. Where SCADA systems are focused on device-level visibility and control, ADMS builds on that foundation to enable network-wide decision-making across thousands of assets, including both utility infrastructure and distributed energy resources (DERs). ADMS software typically integrates: SCADA functionality, including real-time data acquisition and remote control.Outage Management System (OMS) capabilities, such as fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR).Distribution Management System (DMS) tools for voltage optimization, load balancing, and grid automation.Advanced analytics, forecasting, and grid modeling tools for proactive decision-making. Alongside providing real-time situational awareness, ADMS enables predictive and autonomous operations. It uses data from smart meters, sensors, and DERs to forecast conditions, optimize power flows, and automate corrective actions. As a result, it allows utilities to improve reliability and better integrate renewable and distributed resources. What are the Key Differences Between SCADA and ADMS? SCADA and ADMS are both foundational to grid operations, though they have different purposes and capabilities. SCADA systems provide essential real-time monitoring and basic control, while ADMS introduces advanced automation, analytics, and full network visibility, so it’s better suited for the evolving grid. AspectSCADAADMS Primary functionReal-time monitoring and basic control of grid assetsComprehensive grid management with automation and optimization Grid coverageFocused on individual devices and substationsSystem-wide visibility across the entire distribution network Control capabilityManual or semi-automated operationsAutomated grid control, optimization, and fault response Data utilizationReactive: data used for operator awarenessPredictive: data used for forecasting, simulation, and proactive decision-making DER integrationLimited or no supportBuilt-in tools for DER orchestration and load balancing Software integrationOften siloed with limited interoperabilityIntegrated platform (often includes SCADA, OMS, DMS, and grid analytics) ScalabilityLess flexible for future grid requirementsDesigned for grid modernization and distributed energy growth Load More ADMS vs SCADA - Scope SCADA systems focus on device-level monitoring and control, providing visibility into substations, breakers, and switches. Their scope is typically limited to operational awareness of discrete assets. However, ADMS offers a holistic view across the entire distribution network, combining asset data, power flow information, and network layout to enable grid-wide decision-making. ADMS vs SCADA - Functionality While SCADA software supports basic supervisory control and data acquisition, it lacks advanced tools for automation, optimization, or planning. ADMS expands on this by incorporating features such as FLISR, volt/VAR optimization, load forecasting, and DER orchestration. ADMS vs SCADA - Complexity SCADA systems are relatively simple in design, often purpose-built for specific operational tasks. ADMS platforms are more complex, integrating SCADA with OMS, DMS, and analytics engines. This added complexity enables more advanced operations but also requires greater investment in training, IT infrastructure, and change management. ADMS vs SCADA - Data Integration SCADA systems gather real-time data from field devices, but they’re usually limited to internal operations and lack access to broader data sources. ADMS software offers more comprehensive grid analytics, such as data from smart meters, weather feeds, DER telemetry, and more, to turn it into actionable insights. This supports predictive modeling, scenario planning, and smarter, more automated grid operations. ADMS vs SCADA - Resilience and Restoration SCADA enables operators to respond to faults manually, though ADMS improves grid resilience by automating outage response through tools like FLISR. It can detect faults, reroute power, and restore service more rapidly and with less manual intervention. ADMS vs. SCADA Use Cases and Applications SCADA and ADMS each serve critical but distinct roles in electric grid operations. SCADA: Real-Time Equipment Monitoring SCADA systems provide utilities with immediate visibility into the status of field equipment such as breakers, reclosers, and transformers. Operators rely on this functionality to monitor voltage levels, detect faults, and understand grid conditions at a glance, especially during adverse weather or high-load conditions. SCADA: Remote Asset Control Through a SCADA HMI interface, operators can remotely operate switches, adjust voltage settings, and acknowledge alarms without dispatching field crews. This remote-control capability improves response times and enhances safety by minimizing human exposure to high-voltage environments. ADMS: Fault Location and Service Restoration ADMS software automates key reliability functions such as FLISR. In the event of an outage, the system can reconfigure the grid in real time to minimize customer impact and accelerate restoration, often without any manual intervention. ADMS: Grid Optimization Advanced energy systems like ADMS include optimization engines for load balancing, voltage regulation, and conservation voltage reduction (CVR). These advanced energy systems help improve power quality, reduce technical losses, and extend the lifespan of grid assets, especially under variable demand conditions. ADMS: Distributed Energy Resource Management With the rapid growth of DERs, ADMS platforms are increasingly deployed alongside DERMS to provide coordinated visibility and control. Together, these systems help utilities monitor DER performance, forecast output, and manage real-time dispatch to ensure grid reliability at the edge. What is the Future of SCADA in Grid management? As the grid becomes more decentralized and dynamic, SCADA alone cannot provide the situational awareness or automation utilities now need. More utilities are switching base, adopting platforms that combine SCADA functionality with advanced energy systems, real-time analytics, and orchestration tools.That said, SCADA systems will continue to play an essential role in utility operations, especially for real-time monitoring and control of field equipment. Their reliability and fast response times make them ideal for day-to-day operational awareness. Still, the future of SCADA lies in how it integrates with broader digital platforms like ADMS.More than 90% of new generation interconnection requests are for DERs, accelerating the need for advanced coordination beyond traditional SCADA.SCADA’s future lies in integration. It will evolve as a core component within modern grid management architectures. When built into an ADMS or paired with modern grid analytics, SCADA data becomes far more valuable, supporting predictive insights, faster outage restoration, and tighter control across the network. Integrating SCADA and ADMS Utilities don’t have to choose between SCADA and ADMS—they need both. SCADA remains indispensable for monitoring and controlling field devices in real time. But to manage a more dynamic, distributed grid, utilities increasingly require the broader intelligence, automation, and integration offered by ADMS platforms.GE Vernova’s solutions reflect this evolution. From reliable SCADA software that delivers high availability and operational control, to modular, scalable advanced distribution management systems that orchestrate distributed energy resources and automate restoration, GE Vernova supports utilities at every stage of grid modernization.Download our ADMS + DERMS whitepaper to explore how integrated platforms are enabling utilities to modernize for the future of the grid. Author Section Author GE Vernova GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.GE Vernova’s Electrification Software business is focused on delivering the intelligent applications and insights needed to accelerate electrification and decarbonization across the entire energy ecosystem – from how it’s created, how it’s orchestrated, to how it’s consumed.