Digital Substations

Too often customer substations are re-designed for each project whilst delivering very similar functionalities.  This approach leads to a longer build time, increased wiring complexity and protracted testing and commissioning periods. Digital Protection offers enhanced flexibility, reliability, simplified design and build

Digital Protection and IEC61850 allow a design that offers comprehensive protection and control of the customer substation through a standardised approach. IEC61850 is the dedicated substation, automation and control standard which also defines the communication standards for the application

It reduces the number of multicore copper wires between protection relays and also between relays and the SCADA equipment. It eliminates the use of “hardwire to communication protocol” or “protocol to protocol” conversions. The switchgear and the substation are tidier with fewer components and a reduced number of items to keep as spares. As there is less equipment, there are fewer points of potential failure

The flexible nature of IEC61850 allows designers to overcome difficulties. It makes it easier to expand and modify the system as the configuration is based on software and not the external circuit. Substations equipped with IEC61850 devices have the option to be accessed securely which is very important for monitoring and controlling unmanned stations in remote areas.

Our method reduces the design and build time by many weeks for each control section and radically simplifies the inter-bus and protection cubicle wiring.

This significantly reduces the need for bespoke engineering changes and accelerates the path from delivery to full energisation.  The selection of digital control extends to the use of project specific Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) which leverage the benefits of Digital Protection and IEC61850. The HMI panel offers SCADA control over multiple communications protocols.

Digital Protection is being adopted by the Distribution Network Operators as an innovative control and protection solution within the UK power network.

Through DNOC’s extensive expertise in the design and delivery of high-quality modular substations, this approach allows us to offer customers a significant reduction in lead time and early design-freeze to aid in the coordination of other contractors.

When offered in conjunction with DNOC’s proven track record of successful delivery as an Independent Connection provider, PSE2 Consulting’s strong reputation for the delivery of design, and the excellent products offered by Ormazabal UK, we believe this is an exceptional full-service market-leading offer providing direct and indirect benefits to customers throughout their project lifecycles.