Development of an IEEE standard for integrated substation automation communication (P1525): specification for a minimum risk migration strategy

A minimum risk migration strategy is defined to migrate from legacy systems to the IEEE 1525 standard-based open system architecture. The strategy is possible, providing the system integrator pays attention to communication details. To implement a cost-effective substation automation system, communication between the substation and the control center must be in balance to ensure that operators are not overwhelmed by the amount data that is now available. When designing a new substation the protection, monitoring and control system can be designed along with the power elements. However, there are three major decisions that should be made before the process begins. First, what protocol is going to be used from the substation to the system control center? Second, will there be communication path(s) to other corporate users (engineering, planning, maintenance, billing, etc.) independent of the communications to the control center? If so, what path will be used (dial phone line, dedicated line, tie to corporate WAN, etc.)? This will affect the level and types of access security needed. The third key decision is, who will be responsible for the communication system integration. Three possible scenarios are discussed.