Interoperability experience with IEC 61850-based Substation Automation Systems

Substation Automation Systems (SASs) are widely used for the purpose of control, protection, monitoring, communication etc. in substations to improve the reliability of power systems. SASs adopting IT based solutions, such as Ethernet LAN, have recently become more common, although hardwired control has been used in the past in earlier versions of SAS utilizing simple communication methods [1][2]. Moreover, the IEC61850 standard has been issued as the new global communication standard for substations. The standard consists of ten parts, the final part being issued in 2005. Subsequently IEC61850 has been applied widely in SASs around the world. In this paper, we describe our experience in participating in interoperability investigations with protection and control units from different manufacturers, specific points and points to be considered regarding interoperability and other issues based upon this experience.