Remote IED Monitoring via Teleprotection Link Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring and configuring remote Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) in electrical power systems require significant travel and additional equipment, leading to high costs and downtime, as they typically necessitate dedicated communication connections and on-site visits for maintenance and configuration actions.

Innovation Solution

The method utilizes the available bandwidth of the protection communication link between IEDs to enable remote access and management of all or part of the IEDs from a single local IED, allowing commissioning, testing, and maintenance actions through a software resident in the local device, which tunnels access to remote relays, performs software upgrades, and manages configuration settings and data extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If personnel visit substations at multiple terminals for monitoring and configuring IEDs, then direct access to remote devices is achieved, but significant travel time and cost are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDirect access to remote IEDsVSAvoidTravel time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives monitoring and configuration requests from a remote location and forwards them to the target IEDs through the teleprotection communication channel. This mediator enables indirect access without requiring personnel to physically travel to substations, resolving the contradiction between direct access capability and travel time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated communication connections are introduced to enable remote access, then remote management capability is improved, but additional equipment and cost are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRemote access capabilityVSAvoidAdditional equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the teleprotection communication channel multi-functional by enabling it to carry both protection data and monitoring/configuration traffic. The server is designed to handle multiple types of requests (monitoring, configuration, diagnostics) through a single communication interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication connections and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If on-site visits are required for maintenance and configuration actions, then direct device interaction is ensured, but downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDirect device interactionVSAvoidSystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical on-site visits with an electronic communication-based system. The server transmits monitoring and configuration requests electronically through the teleprotection channel, and receives responses electronically, eliminating the need for personnel to physically access substations. This substitution maintains reliable device interaction while minimizing system downtime and maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2977838B1Process of monitoring intelligent electronic devices installed in an electrical power system
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP2977838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2977838B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Process of monitoring at least one remote Intelligent Electronic Device (IED2) located in a remote substation (S2) of an electrical power system, said remote Intelligent Electronic Device being linked by a communication link (2) with a local Intelligent Electronic Device located in a local substation (S1), said local Intelligent Electronic Device, remote Intelligent Electronic Device and communication link (2) forming a protection scheme intended to protect specific circuits of the electrical power system, characterized in that the process comprises a step of implementing monitoring actions on said remote Intelligent Electronic Device (IED2) from a software running on said local Intelligent Electronic Device (IED1), the data exchanged between the local Intelligent Electronic Device and the remote Intelligent Electronic Device during the running of the software being transmitted through the communication link (2).