Wireless connecting of substations for the purposes of business and process networks of HEP

As specific systems in substations develop and improve, there appears a greater need for remote control and communication. The company's own optical infrastructure is primarily used for the purposes of business and process network. Because of their geographical setting, certain substations cannot be connected by optical cables. Instead, rented connections are being used, and, more and more often, wireless connections that help reduce renting costs and increase safety. In substations, business network (e-mail, internet, intranet…) is used occasionally, and process network (systems of remote guidance, measuring, managing…) is used constantly whereby it is necessary to separate the data flow of these two networks. The usual way to separate these two networks within the optical infrastructure is by means of VRF-Lite technology, which should also be implemented for the wireless connections of substations. This makes the wireless technology even more complex. Increased data safety, the availability of the wireless network, and return on investment in wireless equipment justify the use of this technology for the purpose of connecting substations in a unique IP network of HEP. The analyzed case describes and tests the wireless network connecting the substation Brodsko Brdo 35/10 kV over substation Slavonski Brod 110/35 kV onto IP network, which meets the requirements of both the business and the process network.