Design and simulation of communication architecture for differential protection in IEC 61850 based substations

Modern power utility systems consist of multiple substations forming a complex energy network. These substations are being automated with globally accepted communication standard IEC 61850. The automation results in efficient operation and enhanced protection of power network with communication system. Implementing the protection schemes modelled with communication configurations with standardized information exchange will lead to digital power grid. Designing a protection scheme between multiple substations based on IEC 61850 communication configuration is a challenge. This paper presents communication configuration for line current differential protection schemes applied between two automated substations. This paper also presents the simulation of communication configuration network between two substations for its performance evaluation using a network simulator tool. These simulation results will result in realizing robust protection scheme with IEC 61850 based communication configuration.