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This study presents a method for discriminative detection of direct current (DC) faults on voltage source converter‐powered multi‐terminal high‐voltage direct current transmission systems using two fundamental guiding principles, namely instantaneous current‐differential and travelling waves. The proposed algorithm utilises local voltage and current measurements from all transmission lines connected to a DC busbar, and current measurement from the DC side of the converter. The scheme operates at a sampling frequency of 96 kHz, which conforms with IEC 61869‐9. No long distance communication is involved while measurements and signal exchange within DC substations are enabled by the utilisation of IEC 61850. Performance is assessed firstly through detailed transient simulation, using verified models of modular multi‐level converters, hybrid DC circuit breakers and inductive DC‐line terminations. Furthermore, practical performance and feasibility of the scheme are evaluated through laboratory testing, using the real‐time Opal‐RT hardware prototyping platform. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protection algorithm can effectively, and within a very short period of time (i.e. <1 ms), discriminate between busbar and line faults (internal faults), while remaining stable during external faults. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that IEC 61869‐9 is suitable for enabling fast DC protection schemes incorporating travelling waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliable operation of power networks depends on the correct configuration of protection systems. These systems involve the coordination of devices across a wide area, each with numerous setting parameters. Presently, protection settings data are typically stored in various vendor-specific proprietary formats, which are difficult to access, interchange, and manipulate automatically. Consequently, the engineering processes for implementing modern protection systems are extremely complex, involving multiple software tools from different vendors. This paper presents a novel solution to these challenges, through the use of the data model provided by the IEC 61850 standard, with the System Configuration description Language (SCL) format to represent protection settings data. The design of a Protection Setting Conversion Tool (PSCT) that can automatically convert existing settings data between proprietary formats and the SCL-based format is presented. A case study of its implementation demonstrates the benefits of the common representation of protection settings for network operators and other stakeholders. This paper also addresses the challenges that network operators face in migrating to the new approach from existing legacy protection devices and data formats. Adoption of these recommendations and design approaches would shift protection systems from being largely single-vendor solutions to becoming efficient and truly open platforms, capable of supporting future intelligent applications and tools such as automated protection settings validation, diagnostics, and system simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Communications is becoming increasingly important to the operation of protection and control schemes. Although offering many benefits, using standards-based communications, particularly IEC 61850, in the course of the research and development of novel schemes can be complex. This paper describes an open-source platform which enables the rapid prototyping of communications-enhanced schemes. The platform automatically generates the data model and communications code required for an intelligent electronic device to implement a publisher-subscriber generic object-oriented substation event and sampled-value messaging. The generated code is tailored to a particular system configuration description (SCD) file, and is therefore extremely efficient at runtime. It is shown here how a model-centric tool, such as the open-source Eclipse Modeling Framework, can be used to manage the complexity of the IEC 61850 standard, by providing a framework for validating SCD files and by automating parts of the code generation process. The flexibility and convenience of the platform are demonstrated through a prototype of a real-time, fast-acting load-shedding scheme for a low-voltage microgrid network. The platform is the first open-source implementation of IEC 61850 which is suitable for real-time applications, such as protection, and is therefore readily available for research and education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new open source mapping of IEC 61850-7-2 to web services has been defined and implemented. This letter describes work which is useful for rapidly implementing user interfaces—particularly web-based interfaces—for monitoring and controlling intelligent electronic devices from multiple vendors. The web service mapping has been implemented using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, with a message format in JavaScript Object Notation. This approach requires a simple and ubiquitous software stack for its implementation, which is a significant advantage over existing client-server communications mappings. The use of an open source paradigm allows for the rapid iteration and refinement of the design, implementation, and testing of the internal details of the proposed protocol stack in a collaborative manner. These developments are of immediate interest to users of IEC 61850, and are particularly relevant to the IEC 61850 standardization process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]