A Research Testbed for Protection, Automation, and Cyber-Security of Digital Substations

Modern power substations use intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and communication systems to support electricity grid monitoring, control, and protection. As the electric power grid becomes more complex, there is a need to test new devices, control functionality, and IED configurations. This paper reports the development and use of a flexible, laboratory-scale testbed for the evaluation of IED functions and control applications in power substations. The testbed provides an integrated platform consisting of software, representative hardware devices, and configurations suitable for emerging digital substations. We describe the design and characteristics of the testbed devices and their connectivity. Examples of how the testbed can be utilized to support other several emerging applications are presented. Lastly, a detailed example in which the testbed is utilized to study power grid supply-chain cyber-security is provided.