SUBSTATION AUTOMATION BASICS

The key component in the Substation Integration and Automation system is an IED An IED is any device that incorporates one or more processors with the capability to Send data to an external source and receive data from the external source. Electronic multifunction meters, Digital relays, Controllers are some of the IEDs used in the Substation Automation System. Substation Integration and Substation Automation are the two important factors which are used in the Substation Automation System Substation Integration: It is nothing but integrating protection, control and data acquisition function in a minimum number of platforms to reduce panels, control room space, eliminate redundant equipment and data bases. Substation Automation: It involves the use of Substation and feeder operating functions (e.g. Breaker status) and application ranging from SCADA and alarm processing to integrated volt/var control in order to optimize the management of capital assets and enhance O & M efficiency with minimal human intervention. In the Substation Automation System there are two types of Data Transferred from the IED to the utility. One operational data and other Non operational data. Operational data: These are also called as the SCADA data. These are the instantaneous value of power system i.e. the analog and status points such as the Breaker status, volt, amp, MW, etc. These datas are time critical and is used to monitor and control power system (e.g. Open breaker, equipment failure indication, change tap, etc,) Non-operational data: Files and waveforms such as event summaries, oscillographic events, reports and sequence of events. These datas are used for trouble shooting and not required by the SCADA dispatcher for monitor and control. Substation Automation can be broken down in to five levels 1. The lowest level is the power system equipment like power transformers, circuit breakers. 2. IED implementation 3. IED integration 4. Substation Automation 5. Highest level is utility enterprises.

There are multiple data paths involved in the substation automation from substation to the utility enterprise.

Open system: It is the computer system that has supplier independent standards and can be integrated with different IEDs of different suppliers and can interoperate with different applications on local and remote system. It enables future upgrade from multiple suppliers at lower cost to be integrated with relative ease and low risk. Architecture functional data paths: There are three primary functional paths from substation to utility enterprise. a. Operational data to SCADA system b. Non-operational data to Data ware house c. Remote access to the IED The operational data to the SCADA system utilizes the communication protocol presently supported by the SCADA system. The non operational data to the data ware house is either pulled by the Data ware house application from Substation Automation system or pushed from Substation Automation system to the data ware house based on event trigger or time. The remote access path to substation utilizes a dial in telephone or network connection. New vs Existing Substation: New substations have many IEDs for different function and the majority of operational data for SCADA system will come from the IEDs. The IEDs will integrate with two way digital communication. There are no RTU in the Substation. The RTU functionality is addressed using IEDs, PLCs and an integration network using digital communication. In an existing substation there are several approaches depending on whether or not substation has a RTU installed and can be done with the following options. a. Integrate RTU with IED b. Integrate RTU as other IED c. Remove RTU and use IEDs & PLCs as in new Substation.