The Digital Substation, aka smart substation, is the electrical substation where operation is managed between distributed intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) interconnected by communications networks over LNA - fibre optic backbone. It became possible by using computing technology in the substation environment.
The development and implementation of digital substations is based on the application of the IEC 61850 standard. The modern approach to digital substations involves the use of merging units (MU) and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), the data transfer between MUs & IDEs is carried out through the Local Area Network (LAN) using the SV and GOOSE protocols. While developing the LAN structure it is needed to consider the amount of traffic produced by SV streams.
A fully digital substation is smaller, more reliable, has a reduced life-cycle cost and is simpler to maintain and extend than the conventional one. It offers increased safety and is more efficient than its analog equivalent.
Some of these benefits are: -
- Reduced substation footprint
- Interoperability–Reduces copper cabling
- Ease of configuration
- Maximum reliability and availability
- Real-time performance
- Smart Grid communications capabilities
- Reduces total cost of ownership
Up to 60% and more reduced space for protection and control panels. The IEDs require less space due to absence of conventional IOs. Absence of terminals enable integration of more IEDs per panel. Integration of protection in GIS LCC enables further space reduction. Reduction of switchyard footprint by up to 50%—By using circuit breakers with integrated disconnecting functionality and optical current transformer.
In addition, the installation time for new protection and control systems is reduced by at least 40%. Fewer panels to install, fewer cables to be pulled, connected, and tested. Reduction of feeder outage time by 40 to 50% during secondary system upgrades. Full system test from process IO to protection, control and SCADA system off-site. Installation of new FO based system while station is in service. Flexible placement of new protection panels, without depending on SS cabling.
- Turn-Key Digital Substations
- Process Bus Technology Evaluations
- Process Bus Functional Design Specification
- Process Bus Technical Design Specification
- Process Bus Test Plan Development
- Process Bus Type Testing
- Detailed Design & Configuration of Digital Substations
- Process Bus FAT & SAT Services
- Substation Construction Capabilities
- IEC 61850 Testing & Commissioning Services