Optimisation of protection IED user interaction and implementing self-monitoring protection schemes

Development of standardised solutions utilising new technologies at the utility level is a vital part of the integration process of those technologies. This paper will cover the development of transmission level protection schemes which utilise `self-monitoring' algorithms to adapt the relay protection in response to failure of protection scheme components. The advent of enhanced communications bandwidth and of more economic and powerful electronic processing devices means that IED's now contain the ability to perform complex functional logic processes. These processes are dependent on status information, and general information exchange, provided from other IED's and from other remote devices. They allow for the automation of device mode configuration. These standardised schemes can be used to significantly reduce the amount of control room and user interaction, easing the process of operation and commissioning. They allow the removal of numerous user interfaces: external pushbuttons and switches, which can save significant panel space within the substation, and therefore reduce the required civil works and associated costs. As standard approved designs can be used on numerous projects they reduce the time required for factory approval (FAT) and site approval (SAT) testing. This paper will present the development of the functional design of these monitoring systems, both for retrofit into existing substation installations, and for new IEC 61850 connected sites within the SHE Transmission plc network. This section will cover both operational design logic, and how the commissioning process for each of these devices is designed into the logical scheme. The paper will also outline the motivations of such designs, in terms of the reduced human control interactions, cost savings, improved IED selection and consistency of design. The paper will conclude with further recommendations for the next stages of development.