2011The International Conference on Advanced Power System Automation and Protection

Practice and Trend of DSAS in China

ZHAO XiCai

*,

WANG ShuChao, XU Lei, FENG YaDong

NR ELECTRIC co., LTD, Nanjing 211102, China;

Abstract:

Digital Substation Automation Systems (DSAS), with some form of communication facility on station and/or bay

level, have been in service for several decades. In recent years, the application of IEC 61850 is gradually achieved in China.
The first application is MMS between station level and bay level, the second one is GOOSE message application in bay level
and process level, and the last one is the SMV in process level. The most recent application is IEEE 1588 PTP (Precision
Time Protocol) and GMRP (GARP Multicast Registration Protocol). Taking 1 l 0kV Dalv substation in Shaoxing, Zhejiang
Province as an example, the practice of lEC 61850 applications is introduced.
In this substation, single fibre optic network is utilized at station level to achieve MMS, station-wide interlocking GOOSE
message and SNTP application; while duplicated networks are applied on process level to achieve GOOSE message and SMV
application, one for each set of secondary equipments, and both transmit IEEE 1588 PTP message. Thanks to GMRP, SMV
and GOOSE can share the same network. SMV transmission adopts IEC 61850-9-2.
Electronic instrument transformers (EIT) -both active and passive ones, together with merging unit (MU) are applied in the
substation, except 10kV level where LPIT (Low Power Instrument Transformer) are installed.
110kV lines are equipped with phase segregate current differential relays, which obtain SMV from EITs within substation,
and at the same time cooperate with relays at remote ends, which work with conventional instrument transformers. Some re
lays are supplied by the third party to demonstrate inter-operability among different manufactures.
SCD tools are adopted during engineering process to complete configuration of information exchanged among manufactures
and intelligent electronic devices (lED).
Considering the problems emerging during the implement of IEC 61850, the authors believe that the next step in this area
would be: (1) the standardization of network topology, EIT, MU, and IEC 61850 tools; (2) IEC 61850 application for com
munication between substations, substation and control center and within wind power plant;
on-condition maintenance of primary apparatus;

(4) adaptive control of primary apparatus.

(3)

on-line monitoring and

Keywords: digital substation automation system (DSAS), lEe 61850, electronic instrument transformer (EIT), IEEE
1588

In china, a typical scheme of "three levels and two networks" is

adopted by IEC 61850-based DSAS, which is accepted step by
step: first, application of MMS communication between station
level and bay level; then application of GOOSE message in bay
level and process level and within bay level; at last, application of
SMV in process level. Recently, Ethernet-based IEEE 1588 (Pre
cision Time Protocol (pTP), GMRP (GARP Multicast Registra
tion Protocol) are also introduced. Up to now, the mentioned ap
plications have been applied to varying degrees in several DSAS
projects in China. The typical ones include: Zhejiang Shaoxing
11OkV Dalv S'S, commissioned on Jan 31, 2010;
Anhui Hefei 220kV Botanical Garden S'S, commissioned on
Dec 29, 2009; Shandong Qingdao 220kV Wushan S'S, commis
sioned on Oct 9, 2010; Ningxia 330kV Jiangjianan S'S, commis
sioned on Sep 30, 2010; Zhejiang Jinhua 500kV Lanxi (Zhiyan)
S'S, commissioned on JulIO, 2009.
Among these, Zhejiang Shaoxing 110kV Dalv S'S was equipped
with DSAS in a whole sense, with the application of passive (fi
bre optic) and active EIT, IEC 61850-9-2 for communication
between protection and control devices at bay level and MU at
process level, GOOSE message between bay level and intelligent

Introduction [1]

Digital substation is such an advanced substation that consists of

primaIy apparatus equipped with intelligent facilities and second
ary equipments equipped with network communication interface
in a hierarchical topology according to IEC 61850 series stan
dards, and that achieves information sharing and inter-operation
among intelligent electronic devices (lED) within substation.
IEC 61850 series standards were prepared by IEC TC57- Power
systems management and associated information exchange,
which is the only international standard for substation automation
system based on network communication platform. In the stan
dards, naming and definition of data, behavior and self descrip
tion of IEDs, Substation Configuration Language (SCL) are spe
cified, which makes information sharing and inter-operation
possible. Not only the communication model and interface of
protection and control devices, but also that of electronic instru
ment transformer (EIT), intelligent circuit breakers, and imple
mentation scheme and process of a digital substation automation
system (DSAS) are covered by the standards.

APAP2011

Corresponding author (email:xczhao@nari-relays.com)

978-1-4244-9621-1/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE

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2011The International Conference on Advanced Power System Automation and Protection

2.3.3 Timing Network

terminal unit (ITU) at process level, IEC 61850-8-1 for commu

nication between station level and bay level,IEEE 1588 PTP, and
GMRP.
2

SNTP & IEEE 1588 PTP timing service are provided by GPS
receiver via inteIface to station level and process level netwOlks.
IEEE 1588 PTP is applied on devices at process level, while
SNTP is applied on devices at station level and bay level.

DSAS in Zbejiang Shaoxing llOkV Dalv S'S

2.1 Profile of the Substation

2.4 Allocation ofEIT

As an outdoor AIS substation, it is planed to install two 1l 0kV

1l 0kV lines and bridge circuit breaker are equipped with active
EIT. Bushing and neutral point of transfonners are quipped with
passive (fibre optic) EIT.
Low power instrument transfonner (LPIT) are installed in each
lOkV bay.

line bays with intemal bridge connection, two 50MVA

1l 0kVllOkV transfonners with three-sectioned single busbar at
lOkV level, 24 lOkV feeders, 4 capacitor banks, 2 Peterson coils.
2.2 DSAS of the Substation

2.5 Configuration of Protection

A typical scheme of "three levels and two networks" is applied in

this substation, see Figure 1.

1l 0kY. 1l 0kV lines are equipped with phase segregated current

differential protection, which obtain SMV from EITs within
substation, and at the same time cooperate with relays at remote
ends, which work with conventional instrument transfonners.
Circuit breaker failure protection is equipped on bridge circuit
breaker. Duplicated 1l 0kV busbar protection are implemented.
Duplicated main/backup protections are used for transfonners.
Some relays are supplied intentionally by the third party to verify
the inter-operability of the entire system.
lOkY. Busbar protection, feeder protection, capacitor bank pro
tection for 10kV bays are equipped.
2.6 Implementation of Project with Help of Tools

Substation Configuration Language (SCL) is introduced in IEC

61850 series standards to describe configuration infonnation of
substation and IEDs and achieve infonnation sharing among
various applications, which significantly change the way to work,
from planning, engineering, manufacture, installation, testing,
commissioning, operation through to maintenance, and make it
ahnost impossible to work without a proper tool.
SCD configuration tool was developed to configure infonnation
exchanged among different IEDs from different manufacturers.
The tool was developed in QT environment, using Xerces-C++
XML parser and SAX2-Simple API for XML. In addition to
normal functions, such as configuration of communication in
fonnation, IED, data set, GOOSE control block, and report con
trol block, some new features, such as wizard update of lCD,
model consistency check, application check, export of GOOSE
message connection, authorization etc. are also included to facili
tate implementation of the project.

Figure 1 Schematic Diagram of the Commwrication Networks.

2.3 Communication Networks

2.3.1 Station Level Network

Single fiber optic Ethemet is adopted at station level, which con
nects all IEDs and HMI, in order to achieve substation-wide
communication for MMS, station-wide interlocking, GOOSE
message and SNTP.
2.3.2 Process Level Networks
Duplicated networks are adopted at process level to achieve
communication for GOOSE message and SMV, one for each set
of secondary equipments, and both transmit IEEE 1588 PTP
message simultaneously to synchronize MU and EIT.
A dedicated SMV /GOOSE network is designed for lOkV process
level communication. GMRP is applied in such case to reduce
data volume received by individual device. lOkV Busbar voltage
data is sent out by V T lTU via IEC 61850-9-2. Sample value
from each lOkV bay ITU are collected by lOkV decentralized
busbar protection via IEC 61850-9-2.

Standardization of DSAS

Relevant standards have been published by State Grid Corpora

tion of China (SGCC) and China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd
(CSG). These standards will help to construct and operate digital

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substation automation system in a efficient way. See table 1.

quirements for Electronic Combined Transformers and Standa

lone sensors; IEC 61869-13 Standalone Merging Unit

Table 1

4.1.3 Configuration Tools

Chinese Standards of DSAS

Standards

IEC 61850-6:2009 Configuration description language for com

munication in electrical substations related to IEDs Ed. 2.0 speci
fies complete function requirements on system configuration
tools, including SCL implementation conformance statement
covering the import, export, functionality, version management,
data sets, etc., which will be helpful to the development of tools.

SGCC Q/GDW 383-2009 Technical guide for smart substation

SGCC Q/GDW 3%-2009 IEC 61850 application model of protection
SGCC Q/GDW 393-2009 Specifications of design for 1l0(66)kV - 220kV
Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 394-2009 Specifications of design for 330 - 750kV Smart
Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 426-2010 The technical specification for merging unit in
Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 427-2010 The technical specification for Control Unit in
smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 428-2010 The technical specification for Intelligent tennin
al in Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW Z 410-2010 Technical Guide for Smart Electric Equip
ments
SGCCQ/GDW 429-2010 The technical specification for Ethernet LAN
switch in Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 430-2010 The technical specification for Intelligent control
cabinet in Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 431-2010 Guideline for the site commissioning of Automa
tion Systems in Smart Substation
SGCC Q/GDW 441-2010 Technical Specifications of Protection for Smart
Substation
CSG Q/CSG 11006-2009 Technical Specifications of Digital Substation

4.2 Extended Application ofIEC 61850

4.2.1 Between Substations

IECffR 61850-90-1:2010 Use oflEC 61850 for the corrnnunica
tion between substations was published in Mar, 2010, which pro
vided new corrnnunication approach for line pilot protection and
special protection scheme (SPS). Through tests conducted by
Japanese experts, carrier class gigabit Ethernet was proved feasi
ble for the application of threeterminals line current differential
protection [2][6]. This approach can also be applied on radial and
teed feeders in distribution system where relay operating time is
not so critical, or even further to form a "wide area current diffe
rential protection". Ethemet infrastructure can be utilized by con
ventional line current differential protection through X.21 and
100M Ethernet protocol converter.
The authors believe that IEC 61850 will not be applied on trans
mission line pilot protection, even though private protocol are
corrnnonly used by line current differential protection today, be
cause fiber optic corrnnunication channel, either dedicated or
multiplexed, are complete, and the coordination of line pilot pro
tection are already mature. The early application of IEC 61850
for corrnnunication between substations will be feeder protection
in distribution system where propagation time delay is not so
critical.

Perspectives

4.1 Standardization

4.1.1 Topology of Network

There is no standardized solution for corrnnunication networks
redundancy for substation automation system at present It is not
good for inter-operability of the entire system.
In the coming IEC 61850 series standards Ed 2.0, IEC
62439-3:2010 Industrial corrnnunication networks - High availa
bility automation networks - Part 3: Parallel Redundancy Protocol
(PRP) and High-availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) will be
introduced to achieve the goal [3, 4].
In the future DSAS projects in China, hannonizing with the latest
IEC standards for networks redundancy is one issue.

4.2.2 Between Substation & Control Centers

The details of future IEC 61850-90-2 Using IEC 61850 for the
corrnnunication between substations and control centers are un
known yet We have done some research on this topic, such as
"research and realization of information exchange between IEC
61970 based EMS and IEC 61850 based DSAS", "IEC 61850
based gateway for the corrnnunication between substation & con
trol centers".
A new operation management mode-integration of dispatching
and control, is carried out in China, in which, the information
exchange between substation and control center differs from the
traditional SCADA. Hierarchy of corrnnunication between subs
tation and control center built on IEC 61850 will be beneficial to
the maintenance of data model and corrnnunication model in a
harmonious way.

4.1.2 EIT and MU

EIT and MU shall be standardized too to achieve inter-operability.
As decided by IEC TC 38- Instrument transformers, the follow
ing standards will be published: IEC 61869-6 Additional General
Requirements for Low Power Instrument Transformers; IEC
61869-7 Specific Clauses for Electronic Voltage Transformers;
IEC 61869-8 Specific Clauses for Electronic Current Transfor
mers; IEC 61869-9 Digital Interface for Electronic Instrument
Transformers; IEC 61869-10 Additional Requirements for Stan
dalone Current Sensors; IEC 61869-11 Additional Requirements
for Standalone Voltage Sensors; IEC 61869-12 Additional Re-

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4.2.3 Within Wmd Power Plants

IEC 61400-25 Communications for monitoring and control of
wind power plants can be regarded as an extension of IEC 61850
in wind generation area. This standard intends to achieve com
munication between SCADA and wind turbines from different
manufacturers.
According to this standard, we have developed a total solution of
digital wind power plant automation system and applied it in
Zhuozi Wind power plant of Datang international power genera
tion CO., Ltd located in Inner Mongolia. See Figure 2.
In the future, monitoring and control of wind turbine generator
bank will be achieved according to IEC 61400-25 and IEC 61850.
When IEC 61400-25 is supported by wind turbine generator bank,
no protocol converter or proxy is needed anymore, IEC 61850
based SCADA system can directly import models of various
wind turbine generator banks, and accomplish the unified control
on entire wind power plant.

Step-up
Substation
Automation

In Shandong Qingdao 220kV Wushan S'S, on-line monitoring

system for transformer, circuit breaker and arrestors based on
electric, optic, and chemical technologies, was installed with early
warning Mction by collecting, transmitting, synthesizing, ana
lyzing and displaying status data. The monitoring MCtiOns for
circuit breakers cover: closing and open current of circuit breaker;
closing and open operating time of circuit breaker; sum of open
ing and closing times; product accumulation of interrupting cur
rent and duration; current and running time of spring energy sto
rage motor; density and moisture of SF6; service duration of cir
cuit breaker; etc..
Figure 3 shows all the IEDs including on-line monitoring system
associated with a transformer.
(1) Transformer bushing monitoring unit monitors dielec tric
loss of bushing by measuring the leakage current and resis
tive current.
(2) Partial discharge detecting unit, analyzes the type and loca
tion of internal partial discharge if existing by ultrasonic
wave and UHF method.
(3) Oil chromatographic analyzer, monitors the contents of
Hz,CO, C, Cz, CzHz, Cz, COz, HzO in insulating oil
without switching off transformer.
(4) Mechanical relays, trip the transformer directly when de
tecting a fault mechanically.
(5) Bay control unit, accomplishes normal monitoring and con
trol MCtiOns for transformer.
(6) Protective relays, accomplish normal protection MCtiOns
for transformer.
(7) Merging unit, collects current and voltage signals from in
strument transformers in transformer bay and send them to
process bus.

Ave & Others

Figure 2 Application ofIEC 618501IEC61400-25 for Wmd Power Plants.

4.3 On-line Monitoring, on-condition Maintenance, and

Adaptive Control of Primary Apparatus

4.3.1 On-line Monitoring & on-condition Maintenance

Partial
Discharge
Detecting

There are three key factors for on-line monitoring & on-condition
maintenance of primary apparatus: cheap transducers to credibly
detect weak status characteristic signals; data model and expert
system to objectively analyze the health; and changes in main
tenance regulations. These can not come true overnight, massive
efforts are needed on technology breakthrough, experience ac
cumulation and idea shift.
Present application of on-line monitoring are mainly on circuit
breaker and transformer, examples are Zhejiang Jinhua 500kV
Lanxi (Zhiyan) S'S and Shandong Qingdao 220kV Wushan S'S.

Oil
Chromatographic
Analysis

Figure 3IEDs Associated with a Transformer

4.3.2 Adaptive Control

Adaptive control is one feature of intelligent circuit breaker. 0p
erating mechanism and work conditions can be optimized ac
cording to the status detected just before interrupting. For exam-

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pIe, opening in a low speed when there is no load but in a high

speed when there is a fault, will achieve optimal interrupting re
sult for electrical and mechanical parts.
Closing on wave will reduce closing operating overvoltage thus
make closing resistor unnecessary, and limit inrush current of
capacitive load. Opening on wave will improve interrupting ca
pability of circuit breaker by controlling arcing instant.
Point on wave controller developed by us have been installed on
AC filters in HYDC converter station, and may be applied on AC
transmission and distribution system.

configuration tool, testing methodology, and on-line monitoring,

on-condition maintenance, adaptive control of primary apparatus,
thus make the best of benefits brought about by IEC 61850.

3
4

Conclusion

China now is in the forefront of the world in construction of

DSAS, the application of IEC 61850, especially that of process
bus. Revision and application oflEC 61850 series standards were,
are and will be a hot topic in protection and automation area. The
next step is the standardization of redundant network topology,

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