IEC 61850 and smart grids

This paper defines an introduction and overview of the technology standard IEC 61850. The IEC standard offers reliability, efficiency, flexibility and interoperability needed in smart grids. The improved performance and sustainability of nowadays´ smart grid led it to be the main used technology for distributed energy resources (DERs) and renewable energy resources, such as wind power, hydroelectric power and solar applications where smart methodologies of measuring and controlling, as well as an integrated communications are required. Virtualized model and data objects of IEC 61850 as well as its flexibility to cooperate with other important standards (e.g. 61131-3) made it one of the core technology standards in smart grids to guarantee their sustainability. An overview of IEC 61850´s cooperation with other famous standards as well as few examples of its implementation in DERs and renewable energy resources are discussed within this paper.