Preface

Power system automation is at the cutting edge of technology in electrical engineering. It means
having an intelligent, interactive power distribution and transmission network including:

• Increased performance and reliability of electrical protection

• Advanced disturbance and event recording capabilities aiding in detailed
electrical fault analyses
• Display of real time substation automation in a central control center
• Remote switching and advanced supervisory control over the power network
• Increased integrity and safety of the electrical power network including
advanced interlocking functions
• Advanced automation functions eg intelligent load shedding

At the conclusion of the reading of the book we hope that you will learn:
• The requirements for data communications in an electrical environment
• Suitability of different communication protocols for automation of power
distibution and transmission networks
• New techniques in electrical protection, leading to increased reliability,
performance and safety for personnel
• How to obtain extensive real-time information of your power network via the
SCADA system, leading to informed decisions and productive use of manpower
• How to implement local and remote control of switchgear, including
interlocking and intelligent load shedding
• How to effectively compare and critically analyze different products and
systems available for protection, control and automation of electrical power
networks

Typical people who will find this book useful include:

• Electrical engineers
• Control engineers
• Transmission and distribution engineers
• Design engineers
• Consulting engineers
• Power system engineers
• Protection engineers
• Technicians
• Maintenance supervisors

A basic knowledge of electrical principles is useful in understanding the concepts outlined in the
book; but the contents are of a fundamental nature and are easy to comprehend.
 Preface ix

The structure of the book is as follows.

Chapter 1: Introduction to power system automation. This chapter gives a brief
overview of what power system automation means and the typical architecture of a system.

Chapter 2: Historical development of power system automation. The

historical background from the perspective of the electrical protection, electronics, switchgear, and
automation industries.

Chapter 3: Overview of power networks. An overview of power generation,

transmission, distribution and network studies.

Chapter 4: Fundamentals of electrical protection. An overview of the electrical

power systems protection world to place electrical network automation into context.

Chapter 5: Remote substation access and local intelligence. A discussion on

the structure of the remote terminal unit (RTU), programmable logic controllers, protection relays and
the intelligent electronic device (IED).

Chapter 6: Data communications. A review of data communications as it applies to

electrical network automation with a discussion on topologies, communication techniques, media
access control principles, the OSI Model and performance criteria.

Chapter 7: Communication protocols. A review of the typical protocols used such as

DNP3, Modbus, Modbus Plus, Profibus, Ethernet, TCP/IP and the IEC 60870.5 standard.

Chapter 8: SCADA system. A discussion on the typical structure of a SCADA system.

Chapter 9: Communications in power system automation. The particular

requirements for power system automation with a focus on protection, control, measurement and
monitoring.

Chapter 10: Power system automation architectures. The different architectures

(often referred to as type 1, 2, 3 or 4 systems) for power system automation are assessed here.

Chapter 11: Power system automation products on the market. The

product offerings from GE, ABB, SEL, Siemens and Alstom are discussed here.

Chapter 12: Practical considerations. The various issues in using the new power
system automation architectures and philosophies are considered here with a focus on basic strategies,
suppliers and the impact of the Internet.