Protection, Automation and Control Architectures with Functionality Independent of Hardware

Presently, Protection, Automation and Control (PAC) functions are coupled with hardware while the degree of coupling depends on the specific design. PAC devices and their production life cycles are shorter compared to the operational life cycle of the installed PAC system. Both are much shorter than the life cycle of primary equipment installed. New concepts are supposed to decouple these life cycles creating benefits for users, system integrators, and manufacturers.

This webinar introduces new PAC architectures with I/O (Input/Output), processing hardware and functionality separated for optimum life cycles and elaborates criteria and conditions to be able to use hardware independent software application of PAC functions as described in CIGRE TB-891. Two promising technical concepts for based on IEDs using standardized middleware and a Centralized Protection and Control (CPC) system have been elaborated by the Working Group. These concepts and related requirements, limitations, reference architectures, expected opportunities, challenges, and further standardization and innovation areas are described.