subject: Role of Substation Automation in Electricity Distribution and Transmission [print this page] Role of Substation Automation in Electricity Distribution and Transmission
Gone are the days when electricity was considered as a luxury; today, one cannot imagine a world without electric power. Outages or power failures even for a short period of time cannot be tolerated and would lead to an incredible loss of revenue globally. Sophisticated technology and network systems have now come into place to cater to the growing demand for electric power. Substation automation is one such integrated network system that enables every power sector to provide efficient and reliable electricity to all at cost effective prices.
Smart grids and automated systems have found their place in today's power sector as it enables the company to provide a scalable, robust and effective power distribution and transmission. These integrated systems have the potential to deliver optimum amount of energy at the required voltage for both household and industrial purposes so that there is no wastage of power. Most developed countries have turned to smart grids and automated integration to run their electric utility industries and thus provide electricity at competitive prices to all consumers.
There are many components involved an integrated substation automation system. These include sophisticated communication networks like high speed Ethernet cables and data transmission systems, intelligent electronic devices or IEDs, remote terminal units or RTUs, SCADA, centralized data control room, trained personnel and various other devices. It is the integration of these various components that enable to distribute and transmit electricity in a timely and efficient fashion. Every time a fault arises, it is captures as data signals and transmitted via the communication network to the data room where it is interpreted. The data for rectifying the fault is then transmitted back in the same manner to the intelligent electronic devices and the whole process takes so little time so that there is no question of power failures.
This integrated technology has greatly influenced the way in which the power distribution industry works thereby ensuring reliable, stable and effective electricity for all end users at cost effective rates. Therefore, it has become a necessity for all the offices to start using this new system to make sure that things are in order and also that it is perfectly maintained.
