Towards a process for integrated IEC 61850 and OPC UA communication: Using the example of smart grid protection equipment

In order to guarantee a stable and reliable power supply in todays changing power grids, especially those automated system components that identify illegal states and protect the system from taking damage (protection equipment) have to be adapted. Solutions based on standard automation hard- and software, and open IT-standards allow a higher flexibility regarding frequent adaptions than hard-wired components. This raises the question of how established, standardized data structures and models can be used in combination with this breed of standard IT hard- and software. The proposed approach developed in the project i-Protect introduces a flexible and standard-compliant architecture that aims for the exchangeability of its various components.