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EPIC

Managing the process typical protocols found in the substation automation domain. Based on Ethernet and the power systems technology and providing fexible and that serve it through open system architecture, IEC 61850 makes the application future-proof over a single integrated entire system lifecycles.

control system can cut

Electrical integration extends the costs while giving a typical scope for asset management tools from just instrumentation into electri- much better overview cal power generation and distribution as of the total plant. Laya well. The resulting architecture provides operators and maintenance personnel

Sathyadevan explains.

with current process information plus all relevant electrical asset information. All information sent via IEC 61850 interfaces is available as real-time data. This can be customized so that, for example, the IED

Electrical Integration – sends data only every fve minutes. The architecture also offers remote access to all equipment diagnostics from the same bringing process and power together maintenance workplace.

interfaces also support redundancy, mak- Today, this barrier is a costly reality for raditionally, the systems that serve To achieve this, IEC 61850 uses a ing the integrated power and control sys- many operators of offshore platforms and process automation and power mainstream communication technology,

T tem more tolerant of failures. During the FPSOs, which may use a large number automation within the same plant manufacturing message specifcation lifetime of an oil and gas platform, various of communication protocols, such as are separated, both by a lack of com- (MMS) over Ethernet. This standard components of the integrated power and Modbus and Profbus. If a device needs mon communication and architectural specifes two main types of communica- control system will have to be exchanged to be integrated to the control system, it standards as well as organizational differ- tion; vertical communication between the or replaced. Over time, the system may could require a solution designed just for ences between departments. control system and the IEDs and horizon- also cope with integration of new compo- that single device. Transferring data such Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) tal communication from IED to IED. nents from the same or new suppliers or as valve positions and thermal alarms are microprocessor-based controllers Vertical communication uses the full it may have to be extended. Irrespective between the process automation system of power system equipment. They can MMS stack and is intended for the vast of these changes, interoperability must and the power automation system will communicate with the automation amount of data shared between the con- be maintained. The data structure of IEC require a lot of hard wiring. system as well as with each other to give trol system and the IEDs. Horizontal com- 61850 has been specifcally designed to an overall picture of what is happening munication uses the special generic object

Electrical integration achieve this. to the process or power supply system. orientated substation event (GOOSE)

One drawback of this integrated system This barrier is one that can be elimi- IEC61850 communication interface can messaging, a data transfer method that approach is that IED attributes, such nated through electrical integration, effciently handle this data over Ethernet. removes the delays inherent in as parameter settings, are managed by which means integrating process automa- Exchanging the same amount of data traditional hard-wire signals, allow- tools specifc to each IED manufacturer. tion and power automation into the same between plant devices using traditional ing high-priority data to go directly

This means that using IEDs from several plant control system. This integration communication interfaces will require between the IEDs. extensive cabling. is based on devices that use IEC 61850 vendors will increase the number of tools

Savings

Imagine a typical small oil platform interfaces to transfer control or power needed to support the system.

Major benefts of electrical integra- with a 10-bay medium voltage electrical data, saving up to 30% on cabling costs tion include reduced investment

Electrical integration system. Signalling between the bays, to compared to hard wired systems. This cost through one integrated system, based on open standards and from the automation system and for creates a single automation environment improved operator efectiveness and other tasks, can require around 980 wired that unifes the control of process-related The diffculties of electrical integration collaboration across all areas of the connections. When we also consider equipment as well as protection, control have been largely removed with the plant and reduced maintenance costs the large number of available protocols, and monitoring of substation equipment advent of IEC 61850. Acknowledged as through using one common mainte- the bandwidth and cost-effciency of and power transmission and distribution. the global communication standard in nance strategy for the entire plant.

this approach is very limited, and could Integrating the process automation system substation automation, it represents a huge step forward in simplifying the inte- with the power automation system allows result in solutions having to be imple- It can also provide an enhanced gration of protection and control IEDs. a single overall strategy in the areas of mented on a project-by-project or even energy reduction program by

With its standardized model of the IED engineering, operations and maintenance. device-by-device basis. Furthermore, improved visibility into power and its data and communication ser- The economic benefts of electri- multiple systems mean multiple data- consumption. For industries such vices, IEC 61850 ensures interoperability cal integration can run into millions of bases, additional engineering tools, dif- as oil and gas, 24/7 availability and between electrical devices from differ- pounds, either through increased produc- ferent operator stations, and more system reliable electrical supply are para- ent vendors and is able to replace all the tion or reduced operating costs. IEC 61850 administration and maintenance. mount. Integrating the electrical

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