Substation Control House Design Considerations for the Increased Presence of Networked Devices

In recent years, utilities have increasingly been installing technologies and devices in substation control buildings that were once almost exclusively found in data centers. Not all of these new devices meet IEEE Standard 1613, as some of the equipment has been recommended and installed by persons not familiar with the substation environment. Remote monitoring and management of power system parameters such as Synchrophasor technologies, have become mission-critical. SCADA, security, and now the increased presence of Cyber-Security appliances are all becoming mission-critical to operating and maintaining the Grid. This paper and presentation are intended to review some of the changes we've all seen in the technologies and systems now being installed in our substation control buildings. Design practices will be recommended in properly designing and installing grounding, bonding, and cable management systems in order to provide an environment in which the new technologies and systems can perform as reliably as our protection & control systems. Now is a good time to pause and consider the effects which new cyber-inspired devices might be requiring a response from engineers and designers of control buildings. The presence of these devices are certainly weaving their way into the fabric of our substation space. How are we, as P&C engineers, designers, and commissioning engineers adapting to these new technologies? By considering the recommended methods in control building design, a more reliable ‘Smart’ power transmission and distribution grid can be achieved.