Substation Automation Substitute IED for Missing Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Substation Automation systems face challenges in maintaining operation when primary equipment is missing or disconnected, as existing solutions rely on conventional copper wiring for interlocking information, which is not feasible with IEC 61850 network communication, leading to potential hazardous operations and manual, error-prone substitutions.
Innovation Solution
A substitute Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) simulates operational data for missing primary equipment, generating multicast network messages using IEC 61850 protocols to maintain safe operation, configured through a standardized Substation Configuration Description file, and can automatically detect and activate substitution when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional copper wiring is used for interlocking information, then manual substitution is possible, but the system cannot operate with missing equipment in IEC 61850 network communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the missing IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) that replicates its functionality and communication behavior. This virtual IED receives interlocking information via IEC 61850 network messages and generates substitute responses, allowing the system to continue operating as if the physical device were present. The copying principle resolves the contradiction by maintaining network compatibility while enabling operation with missing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the virtual IED or simulation system) that mediates between the network communication infrastructure and the missing physical device. This intermediary receives network messages, simulates the absent device's responses, and returns appropriate interlocking information, thereby bridging the gap between network communication requirements and physical device absence.
2Reliability
If manual substitution of missing equipment data is performed, then system operation can continue, but human errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically detects missing equipment and activates virtual IEDs to substitute their functionality without human intervention. The automatic detection and activation processes eliminate manual data substitution, thereby removing the source of human errors while maintaining system operation continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically monitor the status of physical IEDs and trigger the activation of virtual substitutes when discrepancies are detected. This automated feedback loop ensures that substitutions occur only when necessary and are managed systematically, reducing the potential for human error in determining when and how to substitute missing equipment data.
3Ease of repair
If physical IEDs are removed or disconnected for service or replacement, then maintenance can be performed, but the SA system cannot detect their absence automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the SA system continuously monitors for the presence and responsiveness of physical IEDs. When an IED fails to respond or is disconnected, the system automatically detects this absence through the lack of expected network messages or interlocking information, triggering the activation of a virtual substitute to maintain system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual IED acts as an intermediary that steps in when physical IEDs are removed for maintenance. The simulation system detects the absence of physical devices and activates virtual counterparts that maintain the necessary communication and interlocking functions, allowing maintenance personnel to service or replace physical equipment without disrupting overall system operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is concerned with the operation of substations in which protection, control and measurement devices (Intelligent Electronic Devices IEDs) exchange operational data over a data network, for instance according to IEC standard 61850. During maintenance, commissioning and fault situations when one or several IEDs are inoperable, the data that these IEDs would have produced is substituted to ensure availability of the substation. To this effect, a dedicated substitute device is permanently installed that can take the role of any IED, and that is automatically configured out of the SCD file that describes the SA system.