Future proof system design methodology using abstract system design objects

As more and more power systems are integrated together, there is and will be a greater challenge for Wide area protection including protection of mixed power lines. Also with the advent of new emerging communications protocols such as IEC-61850 series and IEC-61400-25, and with the desire to automate more and more power systems, the need for systems design and systems integration has gained a lot of popularity. These novel protocols promise seamless system interoperability and are defined to address and accommodate future technologies and system architectures; thus making systems more future proof, which in turn guarantee a generous system life cycle. With these system design tools gaining popularity, there still lacks a methodological and modular approach in defining and designing such systems in a way to achieve optimum asset management. This paper looks into making use of abstract objects, rather than the classical approach of utilizing discrete system components, for example Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Ring Main Units (RMUs), Modems, etc. a detailed design philosophy will be presented to achieve the system design approach, which can be future proof too. This approach of system design will also be illustrated with an example to highlight the benefits as outlined in this paper.