The influence of IEC 61850 standard: implementation and development of a functional substation automation simulator

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe IEC 61850 standard ‘Communication Networks and Systems for Power Utility Automation’ has resulted the integration and inter-operability of digital protective relays in a Substation Automation Systems (SAS). Under digital protective relays, Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) are microprocessor-based devices used to perform numerous functions including protection, control and similar functions in a substation environment. The communication protocol that IEC 61850 can offer through IEDs is the Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) protocol, which makes the peer to peer communication of different IEDs readily accessible. The development of portable simulators based on IEC 61850 is a benchmark for electrical engineering graduates, power engineers and protection engineers to be acquainted with a substation automation environment. This prompted Victoria University to build and develop portable IEC 61850 simulators which gained distinction among electrical utilities and developed into a real-world electrical substation called the Victoria University Zone Substation (VUZS) Simulator. This paper provides an overview of the growth and improvement of the different portable simulators that were initiated to satisfy IEC 61850 in the VUZS Simulator.