Substation Automation

Substation automation is a rapidly increasing area of interest and benefit to utilities. Substation automation goes
beyond traditional SCADA to provide added capability and information that can further improve operations and
maintenance, increase system and staff efficiencies, and leverage and defer major capital investments.

Applications and data of interest may include remote access to intelligent electronic devices (IED)/relay configuration
ports, waveforms, event data, diagnostic information, video for security or equipment status assessment, metering,
switching, volt/VAR management, and others.

Newer microprocessor-based relays and other intelligent devices provide unprecedented flexibility and rich
functionality which, in turn, provide low cost monitoring analysis and diagnosis of electrical faults in the power
network. Many newer IEDs provide optional network interfaces such as distributed network protocol (DNP) 3.0 over
transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol (IP)/Ethernet. Additionally, more utilities are gaining access to
fiber optic based communications at some substation locations. Even more utilities are implementing IP wireless
communication solutions to substations. IP networks to substations can greatly enhance substation automation
possibilities and benefits such as primary equipment condition data, fault statistics, and data useful for preventive
equipment maintenance.

Power System Engineering, Inc. (PSE) is actively planning, designing, and implementing substation automation
solutions. We have an experienced team that knows the vendors, products, design options, communication solutions,
and implementation hurdles. We help our clients find the best approach, while managing costs and risks.

Services PSE can provide include the following:

Designing your substation automation architecture including remote access, SCADA monitoring and control, event
recording

Selecting the best RTU or data concentrator for your substation

Developing a business case for substation automation

Evaluating existing systems and developing strategies to migrate to new applications and technologies

Designing an overall solution to integrate substation equipment with communication systems and head-end
applications

Specifying detailed designs and helping select all equipment from intelligent devices, substation servers, remote
terminal units (RTUs), network switches, firewalls, wide area networks, head-end applications, and others

Estimating impacts on utility staff resources during implementation and post-implementation

Assisting with configuration, integration, and testing of the solution

Presenting a workshop to educate your team on a technology or address a more strategic objective involving
substation automation
 Distribution Automation

Distribution automation (DA) optimizes a utilitys operations and directly improves the reliability of its distribution
power system. Adding targeted distribution automation capabilities can be economical when they are an extension of
your existing SCADA investments and the communication infrastructure. The success or failure of an automation
program hinges on proper selection of equipment and communications to seamlessly integrate data into the utility
control room. The key is to choose equipment that leverages your current assets wherever possible. With the latest in
high speed communication technology, there has never been a better time for utilities to extend their automation
beyond the substation.

Power System Engineering, Inc. (PSE) has years of experience designing a wide range of DA applications and
systems for utilities, such as applications that include automatic sectionalizing and SCADA controlled switching.
Known for our experience with automation projects and power delivery planning, PSE understands both the benefits
and the technology involved with DA.

Some of the services PSE can provide include the following:

Evaluating the present status of the utilitys communications infrastructure and designing a DA system that leverages
current assets to provide the most cost-effective solution

Providing project management support throughout the DA procurement and installation process with a focus on utility
risk, cost, and time management; this process can include creating a unique project scope based on the utilitys
needs, developing detailed Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP), preparing cost and benefit
evaluations of each potential DA application, and creating equipment and services purchasing contracts that focus on
protecting the utilitys interests

Providing hands-on system configuration and integration services that include independent third-party site
acceptance testing (SAT) to verify that the system was delivered as advertised by the supplier

Providing repeatable software integration checklists verified in our on-site laboratory using the communications and
automation equipment to be used in the DA project

Developing business models and designing volt/VAR applications that save the utility operational costs

Developing load management program designs and assisting in implementation

Presenting and leading workshops addressing DA applications

Most utilities want to reduce customer complaints, outage lengths, and crew response to outages. Until recently, DA
has been thought to be beneficial only for large urban utilities. Today, with the advances made in communication
media, DA can be successfully installed in many utilities, even rural systems, providing immediate payback in
member satisfaction and reduced operating expenses. Utilities using DA can achieve:

Significant reduction outage time for customers with minimal circuit reconfiguration resulting in improved reliability
indices

Automatic/semi-automatic feeder tie switches

Reduction in travel time to remote locations, reducing fuel and labor costs

Reduction in feeder patrol time to isolate faults

Information reported back to the office immediately, providing a clearer picture of what is happening in the field
 The gauge of effectiveness of DA implementation is reflected in reduced outage times, reduced responses to
outages, and the level of automation desired by the utility. In this area, a higher cost does not necessarily indicate a
smarter purchase. PSE can help unravel the mystery and make it work for you.

The experienced team at PSE can assist your utility by:

Providing executive- and performance-level evaluation of DA solutions to determine the benefits for the utility and its
members

Training utility personnel on specific DA operations and the best way to utilize the information retrieved by the system

Limiting the risk of capital equipment procurement by creating the specifications needed for a DA system, writing
RFIs and RFPs with utility-favorable terms and conditions, evaluating vendor bids, timing implementation, and
integration to other systems (Geographic Information System (GIS), SCADA, dispatch, Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI), Outage Management System (OMS)); all in a manner that saves the utility money and time

Creating field-reproducible DA automation schemes in PSEs lab

Providing experienced project management for integration and implementation of large scale projects that may be out
of the scope of the utility personnel

SCADA

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems have traditionally played a vital role by providing utilities
with valuable knowledge and capabilities that are key to a primary business function - delivering power in a reliable
and safe manner. A quality SCADA solution is central to effective operation of a utility's most critical and costly
distribution, transmission, and generation assets.

The challenging issues for SCADA systems and projects today are not the same as they were a few years ago.
Today, there is much more importance placed on integration, use of new communication and network technologies,
access to information by more users, and other purposes.

Todays SCADA systems, in response to changing business needs, have added new functionalities and are aids
for strategic advancements towards interactive, self healing smart grids of the future. A modern SCADA system is
also a strategic investment which is a must-have for utilities of all sizes facing the challenges of the competitive
market and increased levels of real time data exchange that comes with it (independent market operator, regional
transmission operator, major C&I establishments, etc.). A well planned and implemented SCADA system not only
helps utilities deliver power reliably and safely to their customers but also helps to lower costs and achieve higher
customer satisfaction and retention. Modern SCADA systems are already contributing and playing a key role at many
utilities towards achieving:

New levels in electric grid reliability increased revenue

Proactive problem detection and resolution higher reliability

Meeting the mandated power quality requirements increased customer satisfaction

Real time strategic decision making cost reductions and increased revenue

Business case justification is stronger now than ever before even for lower density substations. The costs are
declining with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products built to international standards as opposed to legacy
 proprietary solutions. Today, a utility can quickly gain these benefits by implementing a low cost SCADA system and
evolving it as its business needs change.

Power System Engineering, Inc. (PSE) has established a leadership position in SCADA consulting services
nationwide having worked with many utilities, both small and large, in selecting and implementing their SCADA
systems. Our hands-on team of professionals has many years of experience successfully designing, specifying, and
implementing SCADA systems. We have team members who have worked in utility operation centers, in the vendor
arena, and as consultants. We know the applications, resources, and constraints common to these organizations.

We provide services on all aspects of SCADA projects. Whether you are in the planning stage, implementation stage,
or if you need to add a single application, replace an entire system, migrate a system, or put in your first SCADA
system, PSE has the experience and is ready to help. Call us, and we will explain how you can attain maximum
benefits from a SCADA system.

Best practice services PSE can provide include:

Evaluate existing systems and develop strategies to make improvements, replace aged or problematic systems, or
meet new business objectives

Pre-screen possible bidders and prepare requests for information (RFIs)

Develop procurement specifications and a complete request for proposal (RFP) including terms and conditions

Participate in vendor evaluations and scoring

Seek technical and business clarifications with vendors and contribute to or lead contract negotiations

Provide hands-on system configuration and integration services (e.g., databases, displays, application integration,
and intelligent electronic device (IED) integration)

Support functional and performance factory acceptance testing (FAT) and point-to-point checkout

Create site acceptance test (SAT) procedures and assist in performing SAT

Create, organize, and deliver custom SCADA training

Assist with substation automation applications

Assist with energy management system (EMS) applications

Assist with distribution management system (DMS) applications

PSE provides a full range of services to utilities on all aspects and phases of communication projects and initiatives

Present and lead a workshop to educate your team on a technology or address a more strategic objective

Substation Automation System (SAS)

Substation Automation System (SAS) provides protection,
control, automation, monitoring, and communication
capabilities as a part of a comprehensive substation control
and monitoring solution.
 Substation Automation System Key Benefits
Automatic supervision of interlocks

Graphical presentations of safety procedures

Local & global alarm & warnings

Detect fault location - useful for distribution systems

Equipment diagnostics

Intelligent interlocking system

Diagnostics of disturbances

Automation with supervisory & advisory control

Substation control via operator

IEC 61850 Substation Automation

Substation Control & Monitoring System (SCMS)

Enforce complex logic for device protection & coordination

Programmable Logic Editor with compiling & execution

Automatic generation of switching sequences

Enterprise-wide view via intelligent one-line diagram

Automated retrieval of all data from the substation

Security control with multiple access levels

Supporting third party SCADA technology

Minimizes outages

Reduces operating & maintenance costs

 Enhances information management

Improves productivity

Improves asset management

IEC 61850 Substation Automation

Advancements in communication including the addition of IEC
61850, provides enhanced flexibility, higher performance and
ease-of-configuration.
 This feature provides an interface for monitoring, control and automation for
substations. This technology is being increasingly implemented at the
industrial level where it allows distributed automation across large facilities
for applications in load shedding, protections, and demand control.

IEC 61850 Substation Automation Key Features

Direct IEC 61850 connectivity from ETAP server
IEC 61850 environmental compliant gateway for distributed control and data
collection
Automatic download of ICD and CID configuration files
Automation logic

Substation Automation Systems

The ABB Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) for protection and control are an integral part of the
substation automation system. Combined together the SAS and IED lay the foundation for all the
higher-level remote functions such as advanced power system management and the monitoring of
the condition of the equipment while it is in service. Station level systems are easy to use and to
adapt to customer specific requirements.

Increasing competition is driving many power providers to focus on system productivity, with a view
to reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction, which often involves upgrading aging
infrastructure.

Older protection and control systems can be easily upgraded using ABBs modular systems.
Updating substation automation offers the opportunity to reduce operational and maintenance costs,
increasing plant productivity with the aid of enhanced schemes as well as condition monitoring for
circuit breakers, power transformers, etc.

Substation Automation Protection & Control

Substations are the building blocks for any grid. ABB has been automating those substations
ensuring highest interoperability, thanks to international standards like IEC 61850, and providing grid
operators and owners with highest efficiency and increased productivity. Without adequate
protection those substations can quickly come tumbling down. ABB has been preventing that
happening successfully during the last 100 years, with protective relays and breakers connected
over bulletproof telecommunications.

Modern automation nowadays is digital. So digital substations can increase controllability, facilitate
the integration of intermittent renewables and improve safety by replacing copper cabling with fiber
optics. ABB Grid Automation enables the digitalization of the grid so that our customers can improve
reliability and ensure safe and clean energy supply to their consumers.