Substation Communication Networks Architecture

There is a need for fool proof architecture of the substation communication network (SCN) for reliable, fast and deterministic operation of the automation functions within a substation, to ensure the reliability, availability and survivability of the geographically distributed complex power network. This paper presents different types of Substation Communication Network architectures and analyzes their performance, which is intended to help the power utility personnel, to plan and build a substation automation system (SAS), with a fool proof substation communication network having desirable real-time performance characteristics to support the functions of a SAS. The reliability aspect of the SCN is demonstrated through their architecture and the adopted methods of communication. Modeling of various real-time communication network traffics within the substation is done according to IEC 61850: Communication Networks and Systems for Substations Standard and OPNET Modeler is used for Simulation of the performance analysis.