Automation levels in power supply and distribution

Electrical energy is distributed or transformed in electrical switchgear, whereby loads/consumers are bundled in load groups. With the help of switching devices, network nodes implemented as busbars connect incoming and outgoing cables, the so-called feeders.

When such a substation is dimensioned, account must also taken of changes to the network topology in the event of faults, as well as the isolation and grounding of equipment for maintenance work.

SIMATIC PCS 7 PowerControl puts an end to the strict separation between process automation and the automation of the electrical switchgear for power generation for the process. With SIMATIC PCS 7 PowerControl, now enables you to integrate switchgear automation devices into the SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system by means of Ethernet TCP/IP communication using the IEC 61850 transmission protocol, as well as via PROFIBUS DP.

The process automation and automation of electrical switchgear for medium-voltage in the range of 4 to 30 kV can therefore be combined in a single control system.

Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) such as SIPROTEC protective devices or interoperable third-party devices are used for automating switchgears, that is, for protection, control, measuring and monitoring functions in electrical energy transmission and distribution.

Conventional process control system integration of protection devices on PROFIBUS DP is specified, in particular, for:

• Repeated use of an existing PROFIBUS DP infrastructure
• Partial modernization of existing plants
• Hybrid configurations comprising IEC 61850 and PROFIBUS DP integration in plant expansions

Operator control and monitoring of the protection devices based on technology objects is uniform from the viewpoint of the operator, i.e. regardless of the integration via IEC 61850 or PROFIBUS DP.

Note:

SIMATIC PCS 7 PowerControl V8.2 can be operated in combination with the OS engineering software and OS runtime software SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 as well as with SIMATIC PCS 7 TeleControl V8.2 (see section "Telecontrol") and SIMATIC PCS 7 OPEN OS V8.2 (see section "Controller integration"). The SIMATIC PCS 7 software must be ordered from Catalog ST PCS 7.