IEC TC 57 Just Published Amendment 1 of FDIS of IEC 61850-9-2

The following FDIS has been published last week:
57/2112/FDIS

Amendment 1 – Communication networks and systems for power utility automation – Part 9-2: Specific communication service mapping (SCSM) – Sampled values over ISO/IEC 8802-3

The ballot closes: 2019-08-09

Compared to the second edition, this first revision of the second edition:

a) updates the normative references
b) adds a synchronization clause (Clause 9); adds references to IEC 61588:2009 and
IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3 for SV synchronization;
c) modifies physical layer specification in T-Profile;
d) modifies MSVCB components (Table 9 and Table 10);
e) deprecates usage of USVCB;
f) modifies encoding for the transmission of the sampled value buffer (Table 14);
g) adds Table 20;
h) adds Table 21;
i) adds Annex C related to possible backward compatibility issues between revisions of this
standard;
j) provides clarifications and corrections to the second edition of IEC 61850-9-2, based on the
tissues = { 1349, 1272, 1055, 944, 863 }.

Merging Unit and Monitoring IED with IEC 61850 Server and I/Os

The Merging Unit MU320 offered by Reason combines the Sampled Value exchange with “conventional” Inputs and Outputs using GOOSE and Client/Server communication. This device seems to be a very convenient way to combine both worlds: real-time and general SCADA applications:

• 9-2LE compliant
• Up to 16 analog inputs, 12 binary inputs and 16 outputs
• Support for Protection and Measurement (metering) profiles simultaneously
• MMS monitoring and control
• Binary inputs and outputs via GOOSE messages
• Synchronization via Ethernet using PTP (IEEE1588)
• Parameter setting using standard data model and SCL language

Click HERE for a more detailed description.

Ethernet for Real-Time Applications – IEEE Symposium in Munich

On January 17, 2012 TUEV SUED (Munich, Germany) held a symposium on real-time Ethernet. Ethernet is not fit for real-time – that is what has been said from the very beginning. But: time and technology has changed. “Deterministic Ethernet & Unified Networking - Never bet against Ethernet …”, this is the opening statement of one of the 11 presentations of the symposium. Ethernet seems to be THE backbone of all automation systems in the near future.

The 11 presentations can be downloaded:

1. Opening by TÜV SÜD
2. IEEE 802.1 AVB standards status (audio video bridging, Broadcom)
3. Real-time networks and preemption (Cisco)
4. Latency Scenarios of Bridged Networks (Deggendorf University)
5. Real-time Ethernet Requirements for Automation Applications (iniT)
6. Ultra Low Latency Traffic Class @ Industry (Siemens)
7. Adaptive Scheduling of Streams in RT (Czech TU Prague)
8. AVB and Fault Tolerant Networking (Belden/Hirschmann) – Ethernet everywhere!
9. Robustness Requirement in Industry and Energy (ZHAW, CH)
10. Deterministic Ethernet & Unified Networking (TTTech)
11. IEEE 1588v2 Time Synchronization in Energy Automation Applications – Case Studies from China (RuggedCom) – Huge substation with more than 160 Ethernet Switches!

When I was about to do my diploma thesis at Siemens in Karlsruhe in 1981, my topic was to do some practical analysis of Ethernet. Due to the high cost of two (2) Ethernet MAUs (40.000 DM / 20.000 Euro) it was decided not to purchase the hardware – people did not believe that Ethernet would be an option at all … and forever. Many experts believed in Token Passing.

I did not agree (I was still a student). So, I decided to look for an answer of making shared Ethernet deterministic … it ended up in a patent Siemens got.

More to come … in China and all over. Ethernet and IEC 61850 (based on Ethernet) are providing real standard solutions.

IEC 61850-3 compliant Gigabit Ethernet Switch from Hirschmann

Hirschmann goes Gigabit for substation and other applications. The new Ethernet Switch offers 16 Gigabit Ethernet combination ports (1000 BASE-TX) that will also connect SFP fiber optical transceivers (100/1000 BASE-FX/SX/LX/LH). All ports support version 2 of the Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588 V2) as well as optionally Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af).

Further characteristics include an operating temperature range of -40 to +70 °C, high resistance to jarring, and extensive insusceptibility to electrical discharge and magnetic fields. Passive cooling (no fans) and a redundant power supply add to ensure high operational safety. Furthermore, the new Hirschmann™ Gigabit Ethernet switch meets the standards and approval requirement of IEC 61850, IEEE 1613, EN 50121-4, EN 50155, cUL 508, cUL 1604 C1 Div2 and GL.

EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) tested 10 Megabit Shared Ethernet for UCA 2.0 (Utility Communication Architecture) in the mid nineties. I remember when we had some 25 PCs connected to test UCA communication services. EPRI called me during these days to come to Los Angeles to give a presentation on the performance of Ethernet compared to Profibus DP. At that time many experts already believed that Ethernet is a serious option for Substation automation. Nowadays almost all experts are supporting Ethernet - some people that just know the old Shared Ethernet of the eighties don't believe that this is the right solution. After some explanation they change their mind - usually.

Click HERE for product information.
Click HERE for a paper published in 1991-11 on the use of Ethernet instead of Token passing [PDF, 720 KB] - at that time the author did not know about Gigabit Ethernet.
Click HERE for a paper published in 1991-03 on the use of Ethernet as a fieldbus [PDF, 720 KB].

Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE 1588 for Substations

IEC 61850-3 compliant Gigabit Ethernet with IEEE 1588 time synchronization available for substation automation and protection. Korenix offers an IEC61850-3 Modular Managed Ethernet Switch, equipped with 4 on-board Gigabit RJ45 / MINI GBIC combo ports plus 3 modular slots for maximum 24 10/100 Base-TX Ports or 18 100Base-FX Fiber interfaces ports.

Click HERE for more details.

First Release of the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today (2009-09-24) unveiled an accelerated plan for developing standards to transform the U.S. power distribution system into a secure, more efficient and environmentally friendly Smart Grid and create clean-energy jobs.

The NIST Draft Publication "NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Release 1.0 (Draft)" published by the Office of the U.S. National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability" is the result of thousands of working-hours of hundreds of smart people from many states and countries.

Smart Grids will be build on standards. The most crucial standards are required for the following areas:

• Demand Response and Consumer Energy Efficiency
• Wide Area Situational Awareness
• Electric Storage
• Electric Transportation
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure
• Distribution Grid Management
• Cyber Security
• Network Communications

NIST found that the market has reached already consensus on 16 standards. After review of this list, there are now 31 standards understood as crucial for the smart grid. Many crucial IEC standards like standards from IEC TC 57: IEC 60870-6 (TASE.2), IEC 61850, IEC 61969/61970 (CIM), IEC 62351; IEC TC 65: IEC 62541; other committees: ISO/IEC 15045, ISO/IEC 15067, ISO/IEC 18012, ... are members of the list of the 31 standards!

The experts identified some 70 gaps in the list of standards. 14 gaps have been identified as MOST CRUCIAL to be solved:

"For each, an action plan has been developed, specific organizations tasked, and aggressive milestones in 2009 or early 2010 established. One action plan has already been completed. The Priority Action Plans and targets for completion are (in bold = impact from/on standards of IEC TC 57):

1. Smart meter upgradeability standard (completed)
2. Common specification for price and product definition (early 20I0)
3. Common scheduling mechanism for energy transactions (year-end 2009)
4. Common information model for distribution grid management (year-end 20I0)
5. Standard demand response signals (January 2010)
6. Standard for energy use information (January 2010)
7. IEC 61850 Objects / DNP3 Mapping (2010)
8. Time synchronization (mid-2010)
9. Transmission and distribution power systems models mapping (year-end 20I0)
10. Guidelines for use of IP protocol suite in the Smart Grid(mid-year20I0)
11. Guidelines for use of wireless communications in the Smart Grid (mid-year 2010)
12. Electric storage interconnection guidelines (mid-2010)
13. Interoperability standards to support plug-in electric vehicles (December 2010)
14. Standard meter data profiles (year-end 2010)

Click HERE to read the press release of today (2009-09-24).

Click HERE to download the 90 page Draft Release 1.0 of the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards

With that official Draft it is confirmed that crucial international Standards published by IEC TC 57, TC 65, and TC 88 are key for the sustainable interoperability of smart devices and smart systems in smart grids - developed by smart people.

Click HERE for a discussion on the availability of smart people.

IEEE 1588 - Precision Clock Synchronization realized in Hirschmann Ethernet Switches

Hirschmann (Neckartenzlingen, Germany - a leader in Industrial Ethernet) claims to be one of first vendors that has implemented IEEE 1588 Precision Clock Synchronization.

Accurate time information is crucial for distributed automation systems in factories and power systems. The Precision Time Protocol (PTP) defined in IEEE 1588, supports synchronization of distributed clocks with an accuracy of less than 1 microsecond in an Ethernet networks.

Click HERE [pdf, 800KB, 20 pages] for a very helpful White Paper from Hirschmann that explains the synchronization basics ... in case you want to understand how IEEE 1588 functions.

The definition of a specific profile for power system (IEC 61850, especially IEC 61850-9-2) is currently under discussion and is expected to be available by end of 2009.

Click HERE [pdf] for a nice presentation by SEL (January 2008)

Click HERE [pdf] for a further reading on Why do we need time in Power Systems?

IEEE 1588 for process bus time synchronization

The IEEE 1588 Standard Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is a new solution for very precise time synchronization on Ethernet networks. The days of "non-deterministic" Ethernet seem to be over ...

IEEE 1588 is about to have a crucial impact on the process bus applications of IEC 61850. IEC 61850-9-2 requires highly synchronized sampling processes for current and voltage sensors (CTs and VTs) in a substation. Today the synchronization is implemented using a separate fibre link.

A good soure of technical background can be found at the following site: http://www.ieee1588.com

First products are already announced, e.g., by Tekron (New Zealand).

More to come ...