Development of a strategy for the integration of protection and control equipment

ScottishPower Power Systems business are responsible for both the transmission and distribution network including the specification and application of protection, control and communications systems for the LV system up to and including 400 kV. Modern protection and control equipment is able to offer more functionality in single equipment than traditional stand-alone devices. One argument, which can be made, is that the developments in this area seem to be more supplier led than from customer demand. The benefits and efficiencies that may be realised through adopting more functionality into single equipment must form part of an overall strategy if the systems are to be adequately managed into the utilities business processes. The development of integration strategy for protection and control facilities for Power Systems business has been addressed through two projects, one at transmission sites, and the other at distribution. This paper describes these two projects; it details the benefits, which have been achieved through integration, and describes a number of issues that were addressed during development.