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ABB BREAKS NEW GROUND IN SUBSTATION AUTOMATION
ABB is set to be the first maker of substation automation equipment to have a complete set of products based on the same platform that comply with a global standard set in 2004 by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The IEC 61850 standard reduces complexity by introducing a single language where many existed before, reducing the potential for errors and delays in projects. Having a single standard therefore helps customers lower maintenance and operating costs. ABB's equipment can be used with any other that complies with the new standard and can be reconfigured for new applications, giving the customer long-term flexibility by ensuring installations can easily be expanded or modified in future. "The new standard has gained widespread acceptance incredibly quickly," said Hugo Meier, head of global product management for substation automation systems at ABB. "For many utilities the question is not whether to apply the new standard but when." ABB is one of only three manufacturers worldwide that have shown at the exhibition that they are ready to introduce IEC 61850 devices for the so-called process part of a substation, where the heavy equipment such as transformers, switchgear and breakers are located. Substations are where individual sections of a power network are switched on and off and where power is transformed to higher or lower voltages for distribution. Automation equipment protects and controls the process, helping safeguard the customer's investments and ensure their smooth operation. When there's a fault in the electricity network, it is substation automation equipment that locates it and switches the power off within milliseconds. Substation automation equipment is typically replaced every 15 to 20 years and switching to a new standard means more training for engineers and maintenance staff at the utility. In the longer run, however, having a single standard for substation automation helps the customer to cut maintenance and operating costs. Many visitors to ABB's display on IEC 61850 in Paris are seeking reassurance that the devices meet the new standard. ABB is in a unique position to provide this guarantee, having in July been made the first equipment manufacturer and system integrator to be awarded official Conformance Test Center status to certify products as compliant. ABB has supplied new substations and refurbished existing ones to the new IEC 61850 standard in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, India and Africa. They include benchmark installations like the 380/220/110 kV Laufenburg substation in Switzerland, one of the largest and most important in Europe.
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