Critical Infrastructure Protection With Modern Protection Relays

Hardening the electric-power grid has become important today because of threats to the electric infrastructure. These threats are not only from bad actors targeting operational security; threats come from protective-relay design problems and aging hardware. Modern microprocessor relays employ significant cyber defense and firmware advancements, as well as in physical improvements that increase reliability. These advancements include improved cybersecurity, power-supply longevity improvements, electromotive pulse (EMP)/geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) withstand, and advanced memory-map/bit-integrity safeguards. Misoperations data show greatly reduced incidents with new technology. New-generation relay designs include ease of upgrade from older relays via plug-n’-play retrofit solutions. Furthermore, software advances make settings and communications configurations easier, with fewer errors, which increase reliability of the electrical infrastructure. This paper reviews the latest advancements in relay design, construction, and software. In addition are recommendations for managing an aging relay fleet.