Part 7-420 - Distributed energy resources and distribution automation logical nodes

After tremendous work on the revision and extension of the IEC 61850-7-420 Edition 1, IEC TC 57 just published the 366 page committee draft IEC 61850-7-420 ED2:

57/1997/CD

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation – Part 7-420: Basic communication structure – Distributed energy resources and distribution automation logical nodes

Commenting period closes 2018-08-17

Excerpt from the introduction:

"Increasing numbers of DER (distributed energy resources) systems are being interconnected to electric power systems throughout the world. As DER technology evolves and as the impact of dispersed generation on distribution power systems becomes a growing challenge – and opportunity – nations worldwide are recognizing the economic, social, and environmental benefits of integrating DER technology within their electric infrastructure.
The manufacturers of DER devices are facing the age-old issues of what communication standards and protocols to provide to their customers for monitoring and controlling DER devices, in particular when they are interconnected with the electric power system. In the past, DER manufacturers developed their own proprietary ...

This document addresses the IEC 61850 information modelling for DER, although some types and aspects of DER information models have been developed or are being developed separately through technical reports before they are added to this international standard DER model. These consist of the following:
• IEC 61850-90-6: Use of IEC 61850 for Distribution Automation Systems
• IEC 61850-90-8: Object model for electric mobility
• IEC 61850-90-9: Use of IEC 61850 for Electrical Storage Systems
• IEC 61850-90-15: DER Grid Integration using IEC 61850 "

This document is one of the crucial parts for the application of IEC 61850 in distributed power systems.

IEC 61850 ready for VHP-Ready (Virtual Heat and Power Ready)

Vattenfall Europe New Energy GmbH and Vattenfall Europe Wärme AG seem to be ahead of many other utilities in implementing “virtual Power Plants”. They have set a standard on how to use renewable energy in a virtual power plant. The information exchange is realized with two IEC TC 57 standards: IEC 60870-5-104 (Fernwirktechnik) and IEC 61850-7-420 (DER).

Vattenfall is one of the leaders of the implementation of virtual power plants. The concept is called: VHP READY – Virtual Heat & Power Ready.

Their objective is by end of 2012 to provide their services to 150.000 housing units (with some 500 CHP or heat pumps) communicating with a Vattenfall control center. By 2013 they expect some 1,000 CHP or heat pumps providing heat and electric power to some 200.000 housing with an electric capacity of 200 MW.

The requirements document lists a total number of signals of 40:

• 8 binary status signals,
• 17 measurements and calculated values,
• 5 metered values, and
• 10 control points.

Requirements document referring to IEC 60870-5-104 and IEC 61850 can be downloaded [German, pdf, 23 pages, 360 KB]

VHP READY – Virtual Heat & Power Ready

Vattenfall virtuelles Kraftwerk

Several other projects are under way in Germany to implement a similar approach. In one project there is already a plan to define (and possibly standardize) a specific profile (subset) of IEC 61850-7-420. Such a profile would represent the above some 40 signals – a very simple set of models that could easily be implemented in an IEC 61850 IED like the Beck IPC IEC 61850 com.tom:

More information on Beck IPC IEC 61850 com.tom.

Basic component for IEC 61850: the IPC@CIP

Download the discussion about benefits using Beck’s ready-to-go solutions with IEC 61850 [pdf, 2.3 MB, 18 pages]