subject: Substation Automation – Beginning of Modern Electricity Distribution [print this page] Substation Automation Beginning of Modern Electricity Distribution
Substation automation technology, though introduced years earlier, have only now gained widespread popularity. More and more developing countries are not turning to this integrated system to provide its consumers a reliable and efficient power distribution system which is cost effective at the same time. The main focus of this automated technology is to integrate all the devices, computer systems and communication networks so that transmission of data becomes easier and time-saving.
In the era of modern electricity distribution and transmission, there is no room for power failures and outages. To ensure this, intelligent electronic devices or IEDs and remote terminal units or RTUs are fixed at strategic locations in the field or in remote locations to constantly monitor the distribution and transmission of electric power. In the event of any disturbance or fault, the data is immediately captures and transmitted as signals through the high speed communication networks which involve Ethernet cables to the central data room which seats the technicians and other trained personnel.
This data is then interpreted and the necessary changes to be made are transmitted back to the devices in the same manner so that the fault gets rectified within seconds of occurring. Only such an integrated and automated system will be capable of addressing the fault in such a short time. This does away with the need of having to send out a technician to the field which may take days in the case of a remote location and also involves transportation costs. Thus substation automation helps to minimize costs while providing reliable power service to all end users.
Today, there are various regulatory bodies like NERC which have been set up to ensure that security of the various parameters involved in this automated technology is protected. Cyber assets protection is of prime importance in this age of terrorism and sabotage. The compliance standards laid down by NERC are to be followed by all the industries involved in electricity distribution and transmission and non adherence usually results in heavy fines and penalties.
With this new system into the limelight it has become possible for modernization and also to ensure that proper and absolute requirements are fulfilled.
