Feasibility study of various communication networks for smart grid

The next generation power system based on IEC 61850 is operated by exchanging information, which is modeled and standardized with components of power utility system. Thanks to the defined and standardized data and information exchange model, interoperability for the products from different vendors, fast response against critical situation by exchanging message like GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event), and easier engineering by SCL (Substation Configuration Language) are offered. To offer these advantages, the communication networks in smart grid should be maintained reliably. If the networks are degraded by the burst overload or a careless configuration, smart grid system will face to desperate situation. Thus, careful consideration of network design is very important for stable operation of smart grid system. In these regards, analysis based on simulation gives benefits with less cost and time than physical implementation. There, however, is no simulator available in the market, which implements the services for IEC 61850. We present the NS-2 module, script generator and result analyzer for simulation of power system based on IEC 61850. Also we present the numerical analysis of 154KV substation and confirm the simulation result confirms the timing constraint defined in IEC 61850. This simulator will help to design the communication network and the purpose of education.