Avoiding catastrophic faults through improved data correlation

Most of the utilities invested heavily in microprocessor-based technology in the form of intelligent electronic devices (lEDs) placed into their transmission and distribution substations for protection. IEDs are used for relaying and for monitoring of power system, power quality, energy delivery and equipment operational status and collect that information in the form of digital data. This paper discusses the obstacles facing utilities, the technologies and architectural approaches that are enabling the use of this data and ways in which correlating data, from diverse sources, provides a much greater knowledge basis than the way data is currently handled.