8th International Conference on Power Electronics - ECCE Asia

[ThG2-4] May 30-June 3, 2011, The Shilla Jeju, Korea

Low Voltage Distribution Substation Integration

in Smart Microgrid
H.A. Palizban1, and H. Farhangi1
1
British Columbia Institute of Technology, (BCIT)
3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5G 3H2, Canada

Abstract: Systems in Substations”, is emerging as the prevalent

A strategy is proposed to introduce a limited set of standard covering other components which traditionally
monitoring and control functions into a legacy low voltage fall outside the realm of distribution substations [3]. IEC
distribution substation, and as such integrate it into a larger 61850, having its roots in the Utility Communication
command and control architecture of a smart Microgrid. Architecture, defines objects and functions required in
The focus of the work shall be on the retrofit strategy of protection, control, measurement and monitoring
some of the key components for measurement, monitoring,
functions within a substation and beyond. In this study,
protection and control systems of the substation.
IEC 61850 compliant monitoring and control components
Also Volt/VAR optimization of the feeder shall be
are used to realize the adopted command and control
considered as a part of the design. The article discusses the strategy for the substation under development (SUD).
structure of the substation under study, followed by the
actual design of IEC 61850 subsystems for the substation. A II. STRUCTURE OF SUD
simulation model of the pilot project and its results is also Fig. 1 shows the Single Line Diagram (SLD) of SUD.
included in the paper.
The SLD depicts the existing equipment and devices of
Index Terms— IEC 61850 Standard, Smart Microgrid,
SUD which will be retrofitted with IEC 61850 compliant
Smart Grid, Substation Automation components. Campus loads supplied by SUD include
offices, lecture halls, workshops, two capacitor banks and
I. INTRODUCTION a 3 phase compressor. SUD is fed via a three phase four
wire underground cable from the main Campus Receiving
Smart Microgrids are emerging as the basic building Station (CRS). CRS is in turn fed by 12.5 KV overhead
blocks of the future Smart Grid, where a variety of loads lines from the national grid. The nominal capacity of
with different profiles may be supplied through a highly SUD is about 700 KVA.
controlled distribution system integrated with various
power generation sources. As such, the Smart Microgrid The main transformer used in SUD is a 750 MVA,
will rely on strategic implants of distributed control and 12KV/460V with Z=5.2% delta/Y connected transformer.
monitoring systems within and alongside its existing Protection system for the transformer consists of 50, 51
electrical assets [1]. Consequently, the establishment of over current and 64 ground fault electromechanical
cost effective and efficient communication infrastructure relays. The circuit breaker OCB and the main disconnect
between various components of Smart Microgrid is the switch are mechanically interlocked by the key K. Most
key to the range and diversity of functions and of the loads on the low voltage bus are reactive. Two
capabilities it could support. capacitive loads are also connected to this bus to reduce
voltage sags. Capacitor switches are currently manual.
Generally speaking, electrical loads in a Microgrid are
fed from the low voltage distribution system and III. REQUIREMENTS OF A SMART MICROGRID
therefore are interfaced with low voltage distribution
substations. Currently, the level of automation in older As defined by EPRI [4], Microgrids are small power
substations is primitive, and more than often non- systems that can operate independently of the bulk power
existent. Consequently, certain Microgrid functions, system or in parallel with them. They include small
e.g. Asset management, cannot include such critical distributed energy generating sources, and possibly
distribution components. One of the contributing reasons, energy-storage resources, interconnected by a distribution
preventing such level of integration among Microgrid system. They may operate in parallel with the bulk supply
assets has been the absence of standards and protocols for system under normal conditions and transition to islanded
command and communication within and outside (stand-alone) operation during abnormal conditions, such
Substations. as an outage in the bulk supply or under emergency
circumstances.
Lately however, IEC 61850 [1], which was developed
as the standard for “Communication Networks and

978-1-61284-957-7/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE

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 Microgrids may also work entirely off the grid and information system (communication networks, and
operate as an independent island. Microgrids offer the intelligent command & control) that controls it.
potential for improvements in energy delivery, system
efficiency, system reliability, power quality, and cost of Although traditionally, the delivery system has been a
operation as compared to traditional power systems. primary focus of development efforts within the power
Microgrids can also help overcome constraints in the industry, Smart Grid advocates the development of these
development of new transmission capacity that are two systems in a concurrent fashion. As such, the two
beginning to impact the power industry. systems should be designed in parallel and should consist
of advanced communications and networking
BCIT is building a scaled down version of the Smart technologies which facilitate the realization of intelligent
Grid, the Intelligent Microgrid [5]. This will enable utility command and control algorithms to execute increasingly
companies, technology providers, and researchers to sophisticated system functions.
work together to test and improve architectures,
protocols, configurations, and models of the emerging Furthermore, the intelligent grid is perceived as a set
Smart Grid. This will in turn enable the evolution of the of high level concepts, ideas and technologies that are
Intelligent Grid and chart a path from the lab to the field used as the blueprints to guide the design of technology

Load5 Capbank Compressor Load2 CapacitorBank

25KVA 10KVA)

Fig. 1 Block Diagram of SUD

for innovative and cost-efficient technologies and independent architectures, as well as to facilitate the
solutions for the evolution of Smart Grid. development of standards, and best practices. These high
The substation automation project described in this level concepts include:
paper is intended to be a part of BCIT’s Smart Microgrid.
Furthermore, we are trying to implement most of the xThe use of object models and modeling services
EPRI’s recommendations in building an intelligent xThe development of security policies and the
Microgrid [6]. implementation of security technologies
xThe inclusion of network and system management
According to EPRI an intelligent grid (in our case a to monitor and control the information
Microgrid) is intended to integrate two distinct systems: infrastructure
the power and energy delivery system and the

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 xThe implementation of data management Wi-Max backbone which is currently going through its
technologies to handle the exponential growth of final phases of roll-out. Plans are underway to further
data extend the use of renewable sources of energy in BCIT
xThe use of the tactical approach of ‘technology Microgrid through more PV installations, energy storage
independent components’ and system and possibly bio-mass power generating plant.
xThe management of the diversity of systems and the
migration from legacy systems to systems with Currently, BCIT Microgrid incorporates the
standardized interfaces. following set of capabilities:

To achieve the above objectives in the design and xPossibility of parallel and islanding operation, Islanding
development of such systems and fill the gaps in security, is the case when STG (BCIT Steam Powered Turbine
network reliability, device management, information Generator) provides power to a section of the BCIT
privacy and network interoperability further research is load without being paralleled with the BC Hydro
needed. The stream of research currently underway at grid.
BCIT on Microgrid is aimed to investigate the technical xThe capability of seamless switching from islanding to
challenges involved in implementing modern intelligent parallel mode and vice versa. Parallel mode is when
technologies. STG is providing power to the BIT grid in parallel

Fig. 2 SUD SLD with designated IEC61850 components

with BC Hydro network.

We believe IEC61850 standard address most, if not all xFrequency and voltage control of the Microgrid on both
of our Microgrid communication function requirements. modes of operation, automatic load shedding and
As such, the main components of our Microgrid are load reconnection are also considered for the
selected to be IEC61850 compliant. This is to test the Microgrid.
functionality of this standard in its full capacity in a xA Microgrid controller which acts as a supervising
research and development environment. controller for the overall functions of the Microgrid.

The current BCIT Microgrid consists of a steam power IV. DESIGN OBJECTIVES
plant (STG), a PV Tower, a Wind Turbine, a subset of
As explained in the previous section a Smart
BCIT load, distribution substations, switching gears and
Microgrid uses advanced sensing, communication and
control and monitoring systems, as well as a campus wide

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control technologies to generate, transport and distribute advances in communication technology but also lend
electric energy more effectively, economically and itself well to various communication architectures and
securely. The objective of a Microgrid is to improve approaches. The use of fiber optic cabling and switches
reliability and power quality, reduce electrical losses and overcome to a large extent the limitation of the non-
operating costs, provide outage mitigation capabilities deterministic behavior of Ethernet regarding collisions
and increase customer service. and length extensions. In the project under study all the
communication networks, relays and switches are
selected to be IEC1680 compliant.

In summary, the main goal of this study is to integrate

an existing legacy substation into an evolving Smart
Microgrid. This could have been realized with or without
complying with IEC 61850. Nevertheless, the byproduct
of using IEC61850 equipment is the ability to test the full
functionally of IEC61850 standard on a low voltage
distribution substation and its suitability to not only
improve operation and performance of the power system
but also the ability to be readily integrated into a larger
Smart Microgrid.

In brief IEC 61850 is a framework for designing

Substation Automation Systems, through:

xEnabling integration of all Protection, Control,

Measurement and Monitoring functions within a
substation
xCombining the convenience of Ethernet with the
performance, security and speed essential in
substations
xProviding for efficient communication between devices
in the substation and related systems equipment.
xEnsuring interoperability and integration of multi
Fig. 3 The complete Substation Automation System networks and vendors IEDs [1]
components

IEC61850 of IEDs, filed devices communicate via a

With emerging new renewable technologies and process bus. Controllers, operator, engineering stations
insertions of these sources of generation at the and field devices communicate via a station bus [7].
distribution level, the need for seamless and fast
communication between substation components and V. PRESENT STATUS
control and monitoring of substation equipment is rapidly
SUD’s instrumentation does not allow remote
increasing.
monitoring and control. This means that there is no
visibility on the state of the station equipment such as
The scope of IEC 61850 is to support substation
transformer, breaker and underground cables. As such,
equipment communication [7] 0. As such the goal of the
not only such SUD cannot be integrated with the campus
standard is interoperability, i.e. the ability for intelligent
Microgrid, but it would also not be possible to optimize
electronics devices (IEDs) from one or several
reactive power consumptions of its low voltage bus to
manufacturer to exchange information and use the
better utilize the substation capacity for future load
information for their own functions. IEC 61850 supports
increase. Implementation of a modern automation system
any kind system philosophy covering different
based on IEC 61850 is considered to be the best solution
approaches in function integration, function distribution,
for this substation.
and automation architecture. The standard contains an
object-oriented data model that groups all data according
VI. DESIGN COMPONENTS
the common user functions in objects called Logical
Nodes (LN) [8]. Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of SUD with planned
systems retrofit. The blocks in shaded in yellow are
The data model and services of the standard are added IEC 61850 compliant instruments and devices.
mapped to a mainstream communication stack consisting MUs are merging units and are the interfaces between
of TCP/IP and Ethernet with priority tagging. The IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Device) and field equipment.
adaptation of internet-type technologies enables IEC MU1, MU3, MU4 are for voltage and current
61850 compliant systems to take full advantage of measurement.

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 Operator can monitor the status of SUD from this
The MUs convert voltage and current signals from PTs screen and can manually control certain functions. SUD’s
and CTs into signals for IEDs. IEDs process the Information can be sent to a Remote Monitoring and
information received from the MUs and produce Control Center i.e. to the campus Microgrid Control
measurement, monitoring, control, protection and alarm Center via the remote access device.
signals.IED1, IED3 and IED4 are measurement IEDs.
The data storage system stores the operation data. This
Based on the signals received from their corresponding data can be used for asset management and process
MUs, measurement signals such as RMS voltage, RMS monitoring such as transformer and cables condition
Current and power and power factor signals are produced. monitoring and their remaining life estimates. The
MU2 and IED2 are for protection and control of the engineering unit is used for IEDs, MUs and system
breaker and disconnect switch. IED2 receives transformer configuration. The time synchronization unit
current and voltage, and temperature data and produces synchronizes IEDs with a master clock.
protection signal for the circuit breaker. MU2 also
receives disconnect switch and breaker status data. VIII. TRANSFORMER MONITORING SYSTEM
A transformer monitoring system will be used to
All the MUs and IEDs can communicate via a process monitor the condition of the transformer. A
bus network and exchange information. IED5 and MU5 thermodynamic model of the transformer predicts the
are designated for the low voltage bus VAR/Volt normal oil temperature profile of the transformer for a
optimization. A continuously controlled Static VAR certain period of time [9], [10].
Compensator (SVC) and the two capacitor banks are
considered for this purpose. Based on the bus The model uses transformer design data, ambient
measurement signals, IED5 generates control command temperature, input and output power of the transformer to
signals for the SVC and capacitor bank. estimate the profile. If the measured temperature profile
for a certain period of time deviates from the predicted
VII. DESIGN ARCHITECTURE profile then an alarm will be generated. The algorithm
SUD’s Automation Architecture is shown in Fig. 3. that detects the transformer abnormality uses a statistical
MUs are the interface between field devices and Process partial least square regression (PLS) method [11].
Bus network. These units convert measurement, status,
command and control signals to compatible forms of The block diagram of the transformer monitoring
signals necessary for the field devices. IEDs process the system is shown in Fig. 4. There is a plan to integrate a
information received from the MUs and the Station Bus, full transformer monitoring system including oil and
and produce command and control signals. HMI is the chemical analysis and possibly partial discharge detection
operator interface. in to this system [12], [13]. At this stage a simple
monitoring system is included for proof of concept. The

Fig. 4 Block Diagram of the Transformer Monitoring System

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model looks at heat balance of the transformer oil. As shown in Fig. 5, the model consists of the utility
receiving station, main breaker, transformer,
The heat input is considered to be transformer power measurement CTs and PTs, transformer protection and
loss which is converted to heat. This heat warms up the control, transformer temperature model and a VAR/Volt
oil. Most of this heat is removed by the oil cooler through optimization unit [15]. [16] Detailed design of VAR/Volt
convection to the atmosphere. A fan is also included in optimization will be studied and tested on the model

SVC

Fig. 5 Simulation Models of the Substation Automation System

the model to remove excess heat in hot weather condition before being implemented. A temperature model for the
and incase oil temperature exceeds a maximum limit. transformer is also included to predict the transformer
Predicted temperature profile is recorded along with the winding temperature for alarm and protection. The
measured oil temperature in a data historian. The profile VAR/Volt optimization system will be controlled by an
is periodically compared against the real data and if IED. The control algorithm for this system is designed
abnormality persists for a certain period of time an alarm and tested on the simulation model and then implemented
is generated to inform the operator. on the real process.

IX. MODELING AND SIMULATION A comparison of the simulation results of the load
Detailed simulation model of SUD components are power, voltage, current and power factor is presented in
built using MATLAB, SIMULINK and the following section for the cases when VAR/Volt
SIMPOWERSYSTEM tools. The model is used to design optimization is off or on. The system is designed to
the protection, control and the Volt/ VAR optimization actively control the reactive power and ultimately power
systems for the substation based on the latest standards. factor to minimize losses. Also bus voltage variation is
The current protection system is old and may not comply minimized. A combination of reactive and resistive loads
with the new protection standards. mostly electric motors comprises the load.

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 Fig. 6 shows the power factor of the source for when
the Var Volt Optimizer (VVO) is offline and then online. The emergence of IEC 61850 provides system
When VVO is turned on it corrects power factor from practitioners with an integrated set of concepts,
0.75 to about 1. This improvement reduces the definitions and tools which facilitates such work. What is
transformer and line losses. Fig. 7 shows the load voltage. left is for researchers to explore are suitable architectures,
When VVO is turned on, load voltage also increases. The topologies and system solutions for cost effective
set-point for voltage control can be set to an optimum realization of gradually increasing level of automation
value to reduce the power consumption and maintain and integration.
balance of the network voltages.
The present work is one small step in that direction.
Power Factor before and after VVO The full implementation of the proposed work will enable
1 us to find the required automation architecture for the
target functions and prove the suitability of IEC 61850 in
0.95
realizing it.
Pow er Factor

0.9

0.85
Load voltage before and after VVO
VVO wsitched on 460

0.8
455

0.75 450
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
time in sec
Volt 445
VVO switched on

440
Fig. 6 Power Factor before and after VVO
435

Similarly Fig. 8 shows the effect of VVO on power. 430

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Since power factor is corrected, reactive power is time in sec

minimized and the total apparent power consumed by the Fig. 7 Load voltage before and after VVO
load and line is reduced. Although, reactive power
consumed by the load is slightly increased, the overall
efficiency of the power system improved.
Line kvar and kw before and after VVO
The simulation results show significant improvement 450
KVAR
in power factor, reduction of voltage variation and 400 KW
KVA
apparent power. Reduction in apparent power results in 350

better utilization of the transformer and other power 300

system infrastructure. It also makes more than %30 of the

KVAR, KVA

250
VVO switched on
KW

power system capacity available for future loads. 200

150

100
X. CONCLUSION 50

As one of the major power system components, Low 0

Voltage Substations play a critical role in the realization -50

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

of some of the most important functionalities of Smart time in sec

Grid. Capabilities such as Demand Side Management, Fig. 8 KW, KVAR and KVA of the load before and after VVO
Quality of Service, System Optimization, Asset
Management, etc, cannot be implemented without full
visibility, control and management of major components
of the low voltage distribution system. This invariably
include Low Voltage Substations which constitute the
widest utility assets which have not been the subject of
any upgrade, improvement and/or overhaul in the last few
decades.

One could point to multitude of reasons and

justifications for the lack of a concerted drive towards
automation of such substations, one of which may have
been the absence of required standards, components and
system solutions for the phased introduction of
automation and visibility into such environments.

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 XI. REFERENCES
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