Applying IEC 61850 to Substation Automation Systems

Since more than a year, IEC 61850-based solutions are being supplied to the market. It is now time to collect and review first experiences as well as to derive improvements for the entire process chain on the customers' and manufacturers' sides. The paper highlights the features and impacts of the standard IEC 61850 'Communication Networks and Systems in Substations' on possible solutions for protection and substation automation as well as on the actual project execution. The authors explain why utilities today should require that such systems are compliant to the standard. Based on experiences in the implementation of IEC 61850, the authors are presenting a short but practical overview of how to implement the standard and minimize risks for projects. The paper indicates the challenges faced by customers as well as suppliers in applying IEC 61850 and suggest suitable approaches to take optimal advantage of the standard.