TNB IEC 61850 System Verification and Simulation (SVS) laboratory: Enabler to a successful smart grid implementation

IEC 61850 is an international standard for electrical substation automation that will significantly improve the design and construction of electrical power systems in the future. In 2010, the United States National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) has recognized IEC 61850 as one of the key enablers for Smart Grid implementation. As the public electric utility company in Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is fully aware of the potential and capabilities of the IEC 61850 standard in a Smart Grid environment. To ensure the successful implementation of IEC 61850 standard, TNB has developed the System Verification and Simulation (SVS) laboratory to simulate and verify systems and devices related to IEC 61850, before actual implementation in substations. This paper will discuss the features, components and capabilities of the TNB IEC 61850 SVS laboratory.