A low cost open source-based IEC 61850/61499 automation platform for distributed energy resources

The integration of distributed renewable energy resources into active power distribution grids (Smart Grids) is an important activity nowadays. Advanced but also standardized remote control functions for such renewable sources are necessary to allow a higher penetration degree of them in power distribution grids. These functions are defined by the power utility automation approach IEC 61850 but their implementation is not really covered by this important power system standard. IEC 61499 know from distributed automation is a feasible way to implement IEC 61850 functions but a low cost automation platform for research projects - especially master and PhD projects - which integrates both approaches is not really existing. This paper addresses this point and introduces an IEC 61850/ 61499 open source-based environment together with a low cost controller platform for upgrading off-the-shelf distributed energy resources in Smart Grid applications.