And we start with communication equipment, since it plays an important role in the transition to digital transmission of data within the power facility using IEC 61850 protocols (using Ethernet-based network). Long before the event MOXA invitated to its booth, announcing the switch with integrated MMS-server. We thought it interesting. We immediately went to their booth.

MOXA showed two solutions that could attract the attention of specialists: switches with integrated MMS server and redundancy box (RedBox) with support of PRP/HSR protocols.

Most of us are probably interested in MMS-Server: We failed to get accurate information about the structure of the information model of the built-in server, MOXA representatives could only specify that the signals that are available for reading via MMS were the following: status of communication interfaces, auxiliary power supply status and a number of other signals describing the state of device.

This leads to the thought that the device has logical nodes class LCCH (Physical communication channel supervision) in accordance with second edition of IEC 61850. There are few data objects available within this LN class and they are all, as already mentioned above, reflects the status of the communication ports only. LCCH logical node does not allow to provide information on VLAN, RSTP and other settings, neither it provides any way to control the settings of these functions. That is today MMS – not a full-fledged alternative to SNMP. So do not dream of digital substation design using ICD configuration files for switches. Way to early.

As for RedBox, then MOXA demonstrated non-interuptable data transfer from the camera to the screen at breakage of one of the active links. Exactly! Not with a merging unit, but with a video camera! Maybe it’s for the best. From an application perspective many specialists have already formed a strong opinion that an increase in the reliability of information exchange by adding devices such as RedBox – it is only an apparent of expedient course. If we calculate the reliability, the numbers say the opposite: there will be a reduction in the reliability of the whole system – as there is another device with its own failure rate, it has separate power supply, communication links with their failure rates, etc. – as a result obviously we would have worse reliability index for the whole system. This solution suites laboratory test well, but not for real projects with protective relays.

Tekvel – another supplier of the telecom solutions for substations has shown more practice-oriented position. The company offers solutions by PULLNET (Spain) in the Russian market. PULLNET switches have been integrated into the IEC 61850-9-2LE process bus segment at Profotech’s booth.

The technique of application of VLAN technology, and multicast filtering to limit GOOSE. and 9-2LE multicast traffic have been demonstrated there. Methodology has been tested in practice for the first time, within the pilot project on Magistralnaya 220 ​​kV substation in Tatarstan Tekvel’s specialist have noted the ease of configuration of these functions in PULLNET switches compared with switches made by other companies that have also confirmed by the visitors.

PULLNET switches have also been demonstrated at the booth Tavrida Electric, where it was a part of digital switchgear produces by Vector – the business-partner of Tavrida Electric Russia. PULLNET switch provides reliable communication between Siemens Siprotec relays using GOOSE protocol and control of the switchgear via MMS. All PULLNET switches demonstrated were compliant with IEC 61850-3.

Let’s continue speaking about the MV Digital Switchgear project. The 35/10(6) substation have been demonstrated at Tavrida Electirc booth. On the 10 kV side it was performed as a modular digital switchgear (by the way, about we have already written about it first).

Why is it called “digital”? All communications between IEDs located in different bays is provided via GOOSE protocol only. Arc protection, breaker failure, logical busbar protection, interlocking – all this functions are implemented using GOOSE-communications.

A full remote control for all apparatus have also been implemented: circuit breaker, withdrawable unit, earthing switch. And all this via MMS. Transmission of measurements and discrete signals from IEDs into ACS is also via MMS (using buffered and unbuffered reports services).

A little bit about this project is in the video by Tavrida Electric (in Russian)

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwJMuCDkTM

ClearView SCADA system with IEC 61850 support have been used in the project.

As for the IEDs, Siemens SIPROTEC Compact together with SICAM IO units have been used.

Real-time digital simulators, such as RTDS and OPAL-RT have become popular among the R&D companies and universities recently. Both solutions have been demonstrated at the exhibition.

Both simulators were set up for demonstration of closed-loop protective relay testing. At the booth of EnLAB. representing RTDS, compact version of the simulator formed low-voltage signals to the inputs of the SEL IED and received a signal from the IEDvia GOOSE; At VNIIR both, representing OPAL-RT in Russia, the demonstration was held using ABB relay fed with current and voltage signals through amplifiers, simulating electromagnetic CTs and VTs.

There is still a very few of information on OPAL-RT in Russia, while RTDS is more-or-less familiar to the specialists. In general, functionality of OPAL-RT is similar to RTDS, buy it seemed more compact to us. The software can be compatible with MATLAB, which can be useful for those who has been working in this environment for a certain time. OPAL-RT representatives have also noted that this solution is more cost-effective compared to the competitor. Write us your experience if you have already purchased and using OPAL-RT.

Analytic-TS at thier booth have demonstrated a new device, AnCom RZA-test designed to “control the operation and configuration of the equipment of digital substation,” which was announced just before the show. We were unable to test this device ourselves. But we have found out from Twitter later, that Analytic-TS together with neighbor-booth Energoservice have made a small test of the device right at the exhibition.

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By the way, EC “Energoservice” at their booth have demonstrated their merging unit ENMU supporting PRP.

Profotech – the manufacturer of fiber-optic current and voltage transducers – introduced several cabinets with equipment – this time the representatives of the company not only demonstrated their equipment, but also presented an accuracy testing set for NCITs.

Radius Automation got a second place at the exhibition contest for the development of software and hardware platform “Sirius-4” for digital substations. They introduced a new line of IEDs, but while our visit they were all switched off, so no IEC 61850 demonstration was available. IEDs themselves were “packed” in cabinets, so that was not even seen their physical interfaces. We did not understand what protocols of IEC 61850 to they exactly support and whether they have the support of Sampled Values ​​(9-2LE) or only 8-1 (GOOSE, MMS) thst have become standard for many companies. But we hope that we learn about it in the near future.

At the booth of PARMA protective relays by Hungarian company Protecta have been demonstrated. PARMA representatives told us that the IEDs actually have not only Russian user interface, but also the software “embedded in the head” of the relays have been developed in Russia.. These IEDs supports GOOSE and MMS protocols.

Perhaps that’s it!

And finally, some beautiful pictures! 🙂