New concepts for automation of MV/LV substations. Functions and products: Solutions

The actual and next step in automation is MV network. This network is responsible of 85% of Quality of Supply problems affecting the final customer. The actual criteria to construct, maintain and operate the facilities is not working anymore in the near future. The different electric network topologies, operation criteria, growing operational complexity and more restricting power delivery requirements, demand new products and solutions to efficiently make it easy, a reliable and quick fault location and isolation; and that due their low cost and easiness, could be used widespread. It is necessary to make fundamental changes. Automation of MV Network pretend to, efficient and reliably, solve contingencies, minimising the consequences of faults and outages, in extension and duration, as well. Operation of switches and breakers in MV/LV Substations, strategically located in the Network, is the basis to achieve this goal. The new concepts, which are exposed out in the document, are based on the following needs and functions: 1. Electrical requirements (MV). 2. Automated and motorised operation. 3. Fault location, current and voltage sensors, and relays. 4. Local and remote communications, dispatching. 5. Installation and operation simplicity. 6. Power reliability, Q&S. 7. Flexibility, standardisation, and cost reduction. All the functions outlined above, necessary for an automated, reliable, efficient and easy operation of the distribution network are main part of the new design concepts of MV/LV substations and are mainly built-in the network switching device. The number of commissioning operations is dramatically reduced, and reliability and quality are substantially improved due to the in-factory mounting and testing. And new integral product is created which is flexible and easily adapted to the different needs of