IEC 61850 Integration Into Beckhoff PLC

Beckhoff - a well known German PLC manufacturer - successfully offers IEC 61850 modelling, configuration, and information exchange for IEC 61850 and IEC 61400-25. 

Excerpt from their website ... worth to read:

"Application example: 

In this case, the use of IEC 61400-25 [mapping according to IEC 61400-25-4 IEC 61850-8-1, MMS] enables all wind turbines from different manufacturers in a wind farm to communicate with a central station.

Standardization avoids the use of vendor-specific protocols, which would lead to increased application expenditure. BECKHOFF supports this method with the implementation of IEC 61850 or IEC 61400-25 respectively in the TwinCAT Automation suite."

Beckhoff has a very nice and easy to read (and understand) online documentation.

Click HERE (English) and HERE (Deutsch) to find the details of the implementation of Client, Server, GOOSE Publisher and Subscriber.

Just give it a try.

IEC TC 57 Just Published the IEC 61850-90-11 on Logics

IEC TC 57 Just Published the 90 pages of the Draft Technical Report IEC 61850-90-11 (57/2129/DTR)

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 90-11: Methodologies for modelling of logics for IEC 61850 based applications

Voting closes 2019-10-04

"This Technical Report of IEC 61850 describes the methodologies for the modelling of logics for IEC 61850 based applications. ... the technical report

• Defines different application uses cases where all aspects to be considered are clearly identified.
• Describes the functional requirements and the intended engineering process
• Proposes a suitable solution in the context of IEC 61850 based on an investigation of the different possibilities to model the logic.
• Describes the impact on various parts of IEC 61850"

If, when and how this Technical Report will impact implementations of tools and IEDs is quite open. I remember that we had heated debates on the question how to deal with (internal) logics already some 10 years ago.

If you are planning to apply IEC 61850 - please DO NOT wait until this part 90-11 offers stable definitions ... IEC 61850 (as it is defined today) has enough to get started! ;-)

New Smart Grid Controller with IEC 61850, IEC 61850-5-104, and DNP3

System Corp (Perth/Australia) offers a new very powerful Smart Grid Controller for applications in:

1. Secondary Substation Control
2. Transformer and Asset Management
3. Micro Grid Control and Automation
4. Data Gateway Application
5. IoT and Cloud Service Interfacing

Click HERE for more details.

New: Modelling of Logics for IEC 61850 Based Applications

IEC TC 57 has published a very interesting proposal (57/1814/DC; 49 pages) for modelling logics:

IEC TR 61850-90-11, Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 90-11: Methodologies for modelling of logics for IEC 61850 based applications

Comments are expected by 2017-02-03

This part of IEC 61850 describes the methodologies for the modelling of logics for IEC 61850 based applications in power utility automation. In particular, it describes the functional view of logic based on existing logical nodes for generic process automation and the operational modes of the logic. Furthermore it includes the specification of the standard language to be applied to specific the logic as well as the related data exchange format between engineering tools and their application as well as the mapping of logic elements to IEC 61850 data types.

The IEC 61131-3 PLC programming language is used to describe syntax of functions.

Example PLD (Programmable Logic Description): The PLD file contains the logic unit program code in PLC OpenXML format, representing the description of the logic programmable scheme that can then be mapped to a GAPC LN instance. Excerpt:



... more to come next year.

FMTP and NettedAutomation announce Seminar Dates for 2017

Due to the request from power engineers FMTP and NettedAutomation have scheduled several dates for public training courses in 2017:

2016

19-23 September 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden [EN]
10-13 Oktober 2016 in Karlsruhe, Germany [EN]
07-09 Dezember 2016 in Karlsruhe, Germany [DE]

2017

30 January 2017 in San Diego, CA USA (just prior to the DistribuTECH 2017) [EN]
14-17 March 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden [EN]
04-07 April 2017 in Karlsruhe, Germany [EN]
19-22 September 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden [EN]
10-13 Oktober 2017 in Karlsruhe, Germany [EN]

Keep tuned to this blog to receive the latest in the domain power system protection and automation. Tap the experience of more than 230 training courses:

Plan your training for Fall 2016 and 2017 now!
Click HERE for further details.
Click HERE to contact us per email in case you have any question.

PAC World Conference (13-16 June 2016) at the University of Ljubljana

The Seventh Protection, Automation and Control (PAC) World Conference will take place from 13 June to 16 June 2016 at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. Members of the PAC World community, professionals from utilities and universities, manufacturers and consultants, are invited to take part in a unique event that will help us build better understanding and knowledge in our industry.
The conference format is unique not only in bringing experts from different domains of the PAC space together in the same room. The conference will be held in six half-day sessions. More than 100 papers from 33 countries will be presented during the three full days of the conference in oral and poster sessions.
This format will allow us to capture the pulse of our industry and to provide to the participants at the conference and the members of the PAC World community around the globe a snapshot of the state of technology, challenges, experience and future developments that will shape protection, automation and control systems as part of the Smart Grid of the future.

Click HERE for the details, program, registration, etc.

One crucial topic will be IEC 61850. Many or even most of the 60 presentations are linked to IEC 61850 - one way or the other.

SystemCorp, SISCO, Triangle Microworks, and other companies will present their stacks, API, applications, ... and how to build IEC 61850 Gateways like HMS:

Click HERE for more details on the HMS Gateways.

Detlef Raddatz (SystemCorp) will present a paper on:
IEC 61850 Communication / IEC 61131 Programmable Logic Control Application Integration Methods

Enjoy!

IEC Smart Grid Standards Map

IEC has spent some time to list the relevant standards for the many areas of Smart(er) Grids:

http://smartgridstandardsmap.com/

When you browse this site, you may wonder to see a list of 301 standards and other official specifications. There are many areas that are related to the 50 Hz or 60 Hz 3-phase electrical power systems:

• Advanced distribution management system
• Advanced metering infrastructure
• Asset management and condition monitoring system
• Blackout prevention system
• Clock reference system
• Communication network
• Communication network management system
• Data modelling
• Demand response / Load management
• Distributed energy resources operation system
• Distribution automation system
• E-mobility system
• EMC & Power quality
• Electric Storage system
• Energy management system
• FACTS for grids
• Generation management system
• Industrial automation system
• Market place systems
• Meter-related back-office systems
• Security
• Smart home and building automation system
• Substation automation system
• Weather forecast

The home page states: “Easily and instantly identify the standards that are needed for any part of the Smart Grid – no need to be a standards expert”. Hm, really? There may be no need to be an expert browsing the site – BUT if you are not an expert in standards like IEC 60870-5-10x, CIM, IEC 61400-25, IEC 61850,  IEC 62351, … then you need to talk an EXPERT. We are here to help you!

Fortunately, when it comes to information exchange, the many parts of IEC 61850 are the most crucial standards you will find in the list of the 301 standards:

IEC 61850-6 IEC 61850-7-1  IEC 61850-7-2 IEC 61850-7-3 IEC 61850-7-4 IEC 61850-7-410 IEC 61850-7-420 IEC 61850-8-1 IEC 61850-8-2 IEC 61850-80-1 IEC 61850-80-4 IEC 61850-9-2 IEC 61850-90-1 IEC 61850-90-10

IEC 61850-90-11 IEC 61850-90-12 IEC 61850-90-13 IEC 61850-90-14 IEC 61850-90-15 IEC 61850-90-2 IEC 61850-90-3 IEC 61850-90-4 IEC 61850-90-5 IEC 61850-90-6 IEC 61850-90-7 IEC 61850-90-8 IEC 61850-90-9

I guess, even IEC has not fully understood the impact of IEC 61850 on the power delivery system: So, why is IEC 61850-90-3 missing in the list of standards relevant for cable?

Here is an overview (from draft IEC 61850-90-3) on cable monitoring:

It is impossible to list IEC 61850 in any application domain. The model (LN – Logical Node) STMP (temperature supervision) could be used allover – where ever a temperature is measured. Modeling the temperature in a green house and communication the value with IEC 61850 does not require to list IEC 61850 as a standard for green houses … ;-)

IEC 61850 is a common standard that covers specific and general models and services.

To understand the impact of IEC 61850: you have to be an expert or you have to ask an expert.

infoteam software supports IEC 61850

Programming application software using OpenPCS (infoteam implementation of IEC 61131-3) is one of the well known options in the PLC world. OpenPCS also incorporates IEC 61850 client/server and publisher/subscriber roles as well as SCL configuration. The result is, for example, a powerful “Smart Grid Controller”:

Click HERE for more information [EN].
Click HERE for more information [DE].

Benefits of integrating real-time automation functions into IEC 61850-based SCADA platforms

What are the benefits of using IEC 61850 for real-time automation functions?

The results of an Australian project shows the capabilities of an IEC 61850 based SCADA solution that supports the integration of real-time automation functions into their platform based on the use of IEC 61131 logic programming and IEC 61850 as a means of communication for distributed automation functions.

The performance of simple Centralised Remedial Action Scheme (CRAS) implemented on a SCADA system has been evaluated and compared to the legacy methods to determine if the performance, security, reliability, scalability/flexibility and cost are justified considering the additional complexity of an integrated system. Experimental results show that the system delivers significant benefits including improved system reliability through reduced device count, improved safety with configurable operator interfaces, mobility services and remote diagnostic capabilities, and reduced engineering costs by providing a unified engineering environment that allows simple and seamless configuration based on the use of open standards.

Gaining an understanding of the capabilities of today’s real-time automation products and IEC 61850, along with new distributed automation and control functions will provide decision makers with the confidence to adopt more capable digital platforms and implement a smarter grid.
The additional complexity introduced with those highly integrated systems is justified. However, digital technology products will require organisations to develop specialised skills-sets, work processes and procedures to ensure a successful transition to new solutions and architectures.

Click HERE to download the complete report [580 KB, pdf]

IEEE Award for Paper on Standards-based Smart Grid Automation

A paper co-written by Academic researchers and Power Industry experts has won the Andrew P. Sage Award for Best Paper in the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part C: Applications and Reviews for 2012. The paper was nominated by Editor in Chief, Professor Vlad Marik.

“Distributed Power System Automation with IEC 61850, IEC 61499, and Intelligent Control” by Neil Higgins, Prof. Valeriy Vyatkin, Prof. Nirmal-Kumar C Nair and Karlheinz Schwarz fuses ideas from two distinct areas, Industrial Control and Power System Automation. It describes how synergies between two emerging Standards, IEC 61499 Function Blocks and IEC 61850 Communication Networks and Systems for Power Utility Automation, can be leveraged to create powerful and robust SmartGrid automation schemes.

IEC 61499 promotes portability, interoperability and configurability aspects of control systems, adding an object-oriented flavour to precursors like IEC 61131. The second edition of IEC 61499 due for release in late 2012 builds on experiences in the development and application of complying products and systems since publication of the Standard in 2005.

Read the full news release.

Read the paper awarded [1 MB].

IEC 61850 – Soon Getting Intelligent Logical Nodes?

IEC 61850 is one of the crucial subjects in standardization, power systems (generation, transmission, distribution, ), education, and research … all over.

One research issue is to bring “dynamics” and “Intelligence” into the more static Logical Node classes - By applying another IEC standard: IEC 61499 (Function Blocks).

A discussion of IEC 61499 and IEC 61850 can be found in a presentation by Valeriy Vyatkin, University of Auckland, New Zealand and Christopher Schemm, infoteam; presented at Automation Day, October, 17th, 2011, Nuremberg, Germany.

Here is one of the slides showing the idea of iLN (intelligent Logical Node):

 

Download the presentation on IEC 61499 and IEC 61850 including notes [notes in German] [pdf]

Work on IEC 61850-90-11 started -- Logics

It was agreed internationally to develop IEC TR 61850-90-11: Communication networks
and systems for power utility automation – Part 90-11: Methodologies for modelling of logics for IEC 61850 based applications.

The scope could be quite narrow, taking into account simple logics for input and output signal … but it could cover also the way how to program complex distributed applications. The standards like IEC 61131-3 or IEC 61499 may be taken into account.

Some discussion on the use of IEC 61499 …

Get Free IEC 61850 Development Kit (HW and SW)

The application of IEC 61850 is very successful all over. More and more people are looking for hardware and software that can be used right away – for an easy implementation of applications and Gateways between IEC 61850 and DNP3, Modbus, IEC 60870-5-101/104 and for short time to market developments.

NettedAutomation has scheduled the next public training course to be held in Frankfurt from May 09-11, 2012. As a special gift we offer you a free IEC 61850 Development Kit (Beck IPC DK61) with an ready to go API and example application source code in C/C++ and IEC 61131/CoDeSys. The DK61 will be used during the course … after the event you can take the kit home and continue developing applications for IEC 61850 and IEC 61400-25.

Download a description of the Development Kit [pdf, 1.4 MB].

The gift is included in the regular training fee.

This offer is valid until April 27, 2012. Register soon.

The program and further information on the training course can be downloaded.

If you are interested in the training and FREE IEC 61850 development kit DK61 contact us please.

The retail price of the DK61 is 1,299 Euro. The regular course fee will be discounted by 800 Euro if you don’t want to get the kit but attend the training course only. Students get a further discount … please ask for it.

Download the discussion about benefits using ready-to-go solutions with IEC 61850, DK61, Beck Chip, … and PV Inverter models [pdf, 2.3 MB, 18 pages]

IEC 61850 Gateway And Programmable IED

These days many vendors that have to develop devices for the electric power delivery are interested in applying a third-party Gateway that map the commonly used protocols like DNP3, Modbus, IEC 60870-5-10x, or CAN bus to an IEC 61850 Server. There are ready-to-go gateway available.

Usually the gateways map between one other protocol and an IEC 61850 Server – if you want to have two or three protocols to be mapped to IEC 61850 you likely have to pay a license for each protocol. The gateways usually are just gateways and do not allow any other application running on the same platform providing application data through IEC 61850 models and services.

The Gateway provided by SystemCorp is quite different as the following figure depicts:

In addition to the Gateway functionality any other application programmed on the very same platform can provide data exchange with the IEC 61850 server through the simple API of the IEC 61850 stack. Various embedded controllers like the Beck IPC Chip provide these possibilities.

This allows with one IEC 61850 license to implement gateway functionalities AND let any other application functionality “speak” IEC 61850.

Access the description of the IEC 61850 Protocol Stack Online API Manual.

Two Are Better Than One – An Old Wisdom

King Salomon wrote some 3,000 years ago about redundancy:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. …. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

It would be very helpful in the future electric power delivery system if a higher degree of redundancy would be implemented! There is still a lot … but it is degrading in many places all over.

The major power outage in the San Diego region two weeks ago caused a failure in “a portion of the “north loop” of San Diego County’s Regional
Communications System (RCS) experienced a major failure when the county-wide power outage hit on September 8, 2011. This was the second major outage for the redundant 800 MHz RCS that was designed to carry public safety communications without the need for a backup system. …”

Accountants may say: The backup costs a lot of money … ;-)

Yup!

Click HERE to read the full report.

I have seen communication “boxes” for wind turbines that offer three communication channels … just in case! TCP/IP over Ethernet, GPRS, and Satellite. That should work highly reliable and offer a high availabilty.

Photos from the AWEA WINDPOWER 2011 Anaheim, CA, May 22-25

Click HERE for some photos from the exhibition provided by Oscar Naval … see IEC 61850 (IEC 61400-25) in action for the wind industry and other application domains.

IEC 61400-25 & IEC 61850 at AWEA WINDPOWER 2011 Anaheim, CA, May 22-25

The interest in the International Standards IEC 61400-25 and IEC 61850 is picking-up globally and also in North America. Some 45 experts form BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) and BC Hydro had been in a 3 day seminar and hands-on training in Vancouver, BC (Canada). More people were interested to attend – the meeting room just had 45 seats.

This week (Sunday – Wednesday,May 22-25) there is another step towards simple, powerful and easy to use automation devices that support at the

AWEA WINDPOWER 2011, Anaheim, CA, May 22-25:

1. Standardized information and information modeling (IEC 61400-25-2, IEC 61850-7-x),
2. Information exchange (IEC 61400-25-4, IEC 61850-8-1),
3. System configuration language (IEC 61850-6), and
4. Function programming (IEC 61131-3 and IEC 61499):

Booth 185 (Hall D) exhibits the full range of the above standards:

• Beck IPC (IEC 61400-25, IEC 61850, IEC 61131-3, …): Chips, Devices, charging station, PLC, …
• SystemCorp (IEC 61400-25, IEC 61850, IEC 61131-3, …): Stack Software, Devices, Tools, …
• ISaGRAF (IEC 61131-3, IEC 61499, IEC 61400-25, IEC 61850): Programming language/tool running on the Beck IPC Chip

See below the Booth 185 in Hall D:

A video of some 15 MB shows the steps in programming IEC 61131-3 using IEC 61400-25 and IEC 61850 on a Beck IPC Chip:

www.nettedautomation.com/download/isagraf/IEC61850_2011-05-18.mp4

Remote Service Forum und IEC 61850

Das 19. Remote Service Forum findet vom 6.-7. Juli 2011 bei der IHK Karlsruhe unter dem Titel “Von der Technologie zu neuen Dienstleistungen” statt. Neue Dienstleistungen im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien und intelligenten Energieversorgungs-Netze sind unumgänglich, um die Flut der Informationen zum Überwachen, Steuern und Regeln des Energieflusses zu beherrschen. Industrielle Kommunikationsnetze (Feldbusse) sind kaum als Basis geeignet, weil es zu viele gibt: mehrere hundert!

In der elektrischen Energieversorung haben sich die Normen IEC 60870-5-10x (Telecontrol), IEC 60870-6 TASE.2 (Inter-control center communication), IEC 61850 (substation automation and protection, DER, Hydro power plant monitoring and control), IEC 61400-25 (monitoring and control of wind turbines), und IEC 61131-3 (open PLC programming language) durchgesetzt.

Herr Dipl.-Ing. Karlheinz Schwarz (SCC) wird am 7.Juli 2011 einen Vortrag unter dem Titel “Genormter Remote-Zugriff auf Informationen elektrotechnischer Erzeugungs-und Verteilungsanlagen mit IEC 61850” halten.

NettedAutomation GmbH wird in der begleitenden Ausstellung über die neuesten Trends bei der Realisierung von IEC 61850 basierten Komponenten berichten und Realisierungsmöglichkeiten für embedded controller und vieles mehr vorstellen.

HIER klicken, um das Programm und die Anmeldeinformationen herunterzuladen.

Electro Mobility, Substation Automation and IEC 61850

The basics for the infrastructure needed for the Electro Mobility have already been standardized – the electrical power delivery system: generation – transmission – distribution of electric A.C. power. The standardization of the electrical system has a long tradition. The monitoring, protection and control of electric power is automated in many higher voltage levels. There are mainly five international standards used all over: IEC 60870-5-10x for telecontrol, IEC 60870-6 TASE.2 for inter-control center communication, IEC 61850 for substation automation and protection, DER, Hydro power plant monitoring and control, IEC 61400-25 for monitoring and control of wind turbines, and IEC 61131-3 for a open PLC programming language.

These standards cover most of the needs for information modeling, information, system configuration, information exchange, and function programming for substations and power generation.

Mr Roland Bent (CEO of Phoenix Contact) stated the other day in the Open Automation magazine that EV charging stations are small low voltage substations. He is absolutely right! It is crucial to understand that the above mentioned standards are applicable in all voltage levels. What is the difference of a three phase Y-system for 400.000 V and 400 V? The multiplier of factor 10**3. There is no need to re-event the wheel again.

Here is an excerpt of Mr Bent’s statement in German:

“Ein noch wesentlich größeres, neues Marktfeld findet sich in der Infrastruktur für Elektromobilität. Ladestationen für Elektrofahrzeuge sind kleine Niederspannungsschaltanlagen mit all den Komponenten und Steuerungskonzepten aus diesem Bereich. Sie müssen auch informationstechnisch in die intelligenten Netzstrukturen integriert werden und stellen neue Anforderungen an IKT-Strukturen, zum Beispiel im Bereich der Abrechungssysteme. Auch hier werden wieder Kompetenzen und
Know-how aus der Industrieautomation benötigt.”

Click HERE to read the complete statement from Mr Bent.

IEC61850@CHIP - Flyer

A new flyer from Beck IPC, SystemCorp and NettedAutomation explains the architecture of the IEC61850@CHIP. The platform is very powerful, offering a lot of integrated functions, modules, and services like TCP/IP, SSL, IPSec, HTTP(S) server, IEC 61850, CAN Bus, IEC 61131-3, ...

Additional components like the following ones are available for EASY integration ... because the integration is already done by Beck IPC:

More to come
Click HERE for the flyer [pdf, 0.9 MB].