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Substation Automation Implementation

– the SEC Roadmap

Abdulaziz A. Al-Sultan Henry G. Huestis

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)

1. SUMMARY has driven a company-wide introspection. Since the

SAS implementation will be globally implemented,
This paper seeks to present the path that Saudi and the executive management has embraced its
Electricity Company (SEC) has undertaken to implementation, a decision to reorganize the SEC
implement the IEC 61850-based substation has been reached. This paper describes the new
automation amidst problems in the standard and responsibilities identified with SAS implementation,
reluctance of a number of operators, in addition to from project conception to project cutover
IEC 61850 brief backgrounders. Presented is a pilot
project of SAS-based substation that is in the Future SAS plans are discussed: SAS
drawing board. implementation in the lower voltage substations,
modification of existing standards/development of
Presented are the major lessons learned and new ones, and prequalification of suppliers.
consolidated to be applied in succeeding projects,
and in extending the SAS beyond one station to 2. KEY WORDS
adjacent ones, as well as migration to SAS in other
substations. Also anticipated in the industry is the IEC 61850, Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), IEC
IEC 61850 extension to the Control Center from the 60870-5-103, Logical Node (LN), Substation
substation, inter-control-center application of the Configuration Language (SCL), Station HMI, Station
SAS technology, as well as extension of the SAS to Bus, GOOSE, IREG-B, SNTP, Generic SAS SOW
the process bus. The lessons consolidated will be
used to face these upcoming challenges. The paper 3. INTRODUCATION
also describes the formation and functioning of the
EPRI calls the technology group, which in SEC was Energy service providers are continually faced with
named the SAS Team, comprising members from the the challenge to provide their clients reliable power
various SEC departments. They are tasked with at competitive prices. Equipment failures, lightning
reviewing all documents created in this project and strikes, accidents and natural catastrophes result to
making the technical decisions. long service interruptions. For these reasons, the
need to monitor and control substations and take
The other portion of this paper describes the necessary accurate and timely precautions has
development of a Generic SAS Scope of Work (SAS become of paramount importance to the utility
SOW). This document contains the scope of work operators. In order to prevent possible substation
items standard to all SAS projects. This paper disruption from unexpected failures, a highly
describes the SAS SOW development: the reliable, secure, scalable, robust and cost effective
manufacturer surveys, the site visits, the communication network that guarantees strict quality
presentations conducted and lessons learned during of service between the substations and their remote
learning curve, where the data were collected for the control center is vital. In this respect, substation
document's development. Also mentioned are the automation, which is the creation of highly reliable,
commissioning requirements and SEC in-house self healing power systems that swiftly responds to
standards which support this document. real time events with appropriate actions, has
emerged to ensure the maintenance of uninterrupted
The above two initial encounters of SEC with SAS power services to the end-users.
Substation Automation System (SAS) evolved in the This standard, IEC 61850, lies at the core substation
mid-1980's from the initial proprietary-based SAS architecture. Though there are still some draft
installations to the UCA 2.O based SAS installations, standards in IEC 61850 suites, there already have
to the new generation IEC 61850. The legacy been several operators-accepted implementations to
substation automation protocols and architectures date, see Figure 2.
typically provided only the basic functionality for
power system automation owing to limitation of
networking technology available during that period.

Process automation solutions are widely accepted for

power systems. They are mostly based on a huge
number of proprietary specifications or (de facto)
standards. The future power systems will be smarter
at the to smarter at the bottom, and permanently
aware of the word around them. Utilities and vendors
take the advantages of the new seamless use of the
standards. And make the electric power system safe
and more efficient than before. (Please refer to TC57
Reference Architecture Figure 1)[10]

Figure (2)

But owing to a number of unresolved issues in the

standard suite yet, like security, network/ equipment
redundancy, some discriminating utility operators,
have either postponed substation automation
implementation or sourced vendors willing to
implement draft portions of the standards. In some
cases, operators themselves cling to their in-house
solutions pending approval of the draft parts of the
IEC 61850.

Unfamiliarity of utility personnel in the contract

procurement, engineering, project construction
Figure (1) management, testing, operation, and maintenance is
The current generation of networking technologies another reason contributing to the reluctance of
and protocols has veered dramatically from the utilities to initiate substation automation
previous ones making possible design paradigms implementation, a risky untrodden path for them.The
never been imagined. Protocols like TCP/IP, OSI hesitance of manufacturers to produce at competitive
standard, Ethernet network technology are among cost a new family of equipment and systems
those that made new solutions feasible. These were complying to the IEC 61850 is another reason utility
coupled with the development of high speed operators are hesitant, too, to implement SAS. These
computers and networking equipment as well as high manufactures have long been catering to existing
speed media like fiber optics and twisted copper standards like IEC 61970, ANSI, and IEEE. In
cables. With Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), addition, some have already been producing pre-IEC
which convert the primary substation equipment into 61850 versions of their proprietary substation
network nodes, a new paradigm of engineering the automation equipment
substation network emerged using a configuration
language, called SCL (substation configuration 4. BRIEFING ON IEC 61850
language). As the substation network environment
has been converted to one in an IT environment, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the lone
installations of applications like those of security, electricity provider in Saudi Arabia Kingdom, like
operating systems updates, and remote access, (even any other utility company in the industry, is in
from the internet if needed), were made possible. continual pursuit of solutions to provide reliable
cost-effective services to its customers. Response
To leverage these developments, the International times to energy delivery failures caused by natural
Electro-technical Commission (IEC), through its calamities, accidents, system breakdowns,
technical committee, TC 57, developed and released operational negligence, and malicious activities top
a standard for substation automation, with its the list of perennial problems that the Company
concomitant aim for interoperability of equipment to faces.
solve the age-old problems brought upon to the
industry by proprietary equipment and standards.
Interoperability is another issue unsettling SEC.
While it is fact that vendors and system integrator join the horde of initial users. Providing more
proposals abound, the issue of interoperability of confidence to SEC is the fact that members of the
existing utility equipment with vendor-proposed working group of IEC responsible for the
equipment continually haunts the industry and makes development of the standard represent utilities and
solutions expensive to implement. manufacturers aware of the age old industry
problems of interoperability and lack of integrated
This is further complicated by incompatibility and substation communications. Upcoming is the release
inadequacy of various standards, not to mention of IEC 61850 version 2, which shows the IEC's
the dragging approval of standards by members of initiative to speed up the standard's perfection or
standardization bodies, which membership counts completion.
chiefly from the utilities and suppliers, the latter
being understandably protective of their existing Trends in the field of substation automation
proprietary technologies. systems

On the other hand, it behooves upon the vendors and To understand rationale behind the company's
standardization bodies, as well as the utilities, and the decision, it is necessary to briefly review the main
industry in general, to have one standard, an features of IEC 61850-based substation automation,
ironically painful wait for every entity. its evolution and the trends going on around the
world.
Meantime, a utility company, whose services directly
affect the mass of the energy users, is left with its To come up with an effectively optimized system
own ways to strike strategic decisions at seemingly and reduce costs, the on-going trend now has been
opportune time for its own economic survival and the increasing integration of more functions into less
maintenance of commitment to its users, instead of number of devices. The function of monitoring,
waiting for the 'ideal' situation dictated externally by control and protection may now be combined into
industry and/or standards completion. The company one common device, for example, at the bay level.
must take this calculated risk, while delivering This integration results in various functions
quality services to its clientele concomitantly previously held by separate departments into fewer
protecting the economic interests of its investors as departments. Today, the functionality provided by
well as employees. protection, control, and monitoring is not handled
separately, but is integrated into one common and
It is within this context and complex situation that integrated system. This integration has been made
SEC has decided to implement substation possible with the advent of serial communication and
automation, and implementing the technology with networking technologies, as well as microprocessor
caution and awareness of industry developments. technologies that enabled the development of
SEC's Pilot Project, which is now in its early stage multifunctional equipment.[3]
of equipment manufacturing is moving satisfactorily
and unhampered. Before the introduction of microprocessor-based
equipment and these recent communication
This paper intends to share this conference, the GCC technologies in substation, monitoring, control and
CIGRE Power 2009, the industry, and the readers in protection had been handled separately by different
general, the path that SEC has taken along the pieces of equipment. This also resulted in
implementation of the substation automation responsibilities split in various disciplines or
technology in selective areas within its electrical corporate departments. This also resulted in suppliers
network. specializing in one type of equipment. With the
deployment of serial communication in substations,
IEC 61850, "Communication Networks and Systems the integration between monitoring, control, and
in Substations, is the core standard of the substation protection started with the introduction of IEC
automation implementation framework SEC has 60870-5-103, as informative interface for protection
embarked on in its pilot project. But is it safe to use devices.[2]
the standard now?.
As IEC 60870-5-103 focused only on protection, the
The Rationale behind the decision to embrace IEC pressure increased to have more information
61850 exchange between all specialists involved in
substation automation, and the need for a common
The more than 4000 IEC 61850 implementations [1] protocol. This led to the birth of IEC 61850,
that have been recorded globally is a testimony to the Communication Networks and Systems in
technology's acceptability, a proof to the viability of Substation, which functions to encompass all these
using IEC 61850 as a substation automation trends and needs.
standard. And that it is now the opportune time for
SEC, a traditionally conservative, utility company, to
Core features of IEC 61850 Finally, another major core feature of IEC 61850
include use of what is known as the OSI 7 Layer
The primary core feature of IEC 61850 is to provide Stack, with common applications used as part of the
interoperability of equipment in a multi-vendor OSI 7 Layer Stack (e.g. for OSI Layer 2-Ethernet is
environment in a substation [4] [7]. For example, used , for OSI Layer 3 and 4-TCP/IP is used, and
SEC and other utilities have a requirement for Main- OSI Layers 5 to 7-MMS is used). This does also
1 and Main -2 protection (Busbar, Breaker Failure support multi-vendor interoperability (disturbance)
and Feeder Protection) be provided at certain higher recorders, but as part of an integrated SAS, this
voltage levels (primarily 380 kV in SEC’s case) from functionality can be performed by an integrated
different equipment manufacturers/ equipment Disturbance Fault Recorder function as part of the
vendors. Prior to the implementation of IEC 61850 IED’s and Station HMI (Human-Machine Interface)
for data acquisition applications related to these equipment. Furthermore, limited intelligence can be
relays/Protection IED’s, there may be used a core downloaded as part of the Station HMI to perform
lower level standard (e.g. IEC-103), or proprietary automatic switching sequences, and other functions,
schemes. As such, to integrate this Relay with an which cannot be done before with most conventional
older, a different vendor (pre-IEC 61850) system, stand-alone systems.
either protocol converters had to be used, or if IEC-
103 was available (for both devices) the use of IEC- Benefits to the utilities
103 which had considerable limitations as compared
to IEC-61850. As stated before, the major benefit that IEC 61850
offers is the multi-vendor interoperability under IEC
Another core feature of IEC 61850 which helps in 61850, Such multi-vendor interoperability makes it
multi-vendor interoperability, is the use of what is easy to integrate equipment from multiple SAS
called a Logical Node (LN) Description which equipment manufacturers into one system to meet
describes in generic terms, the functionality of a various utility customer’s requirements.
certain device (e.g. a Control Switch which is known
as a CSWI Logical Node) which makes it very easy A second major benefit of IEC 61850 provides for
to integrate another SAS equipment manufacturer’s considerably reduced wiring and parts count . In the
IED into an overall control and protection system past, with stand-alone SCADA RTU’s and stand-
contained as part of SAS. In order for the SAS alone SOE RTU’s there may be a duplication of
equipment manufacturer to claim that his device is points/signals (with the identical point/signal
IEC 61850 compliant, the SAS equipment description going to an input to a SCADA RTU, and
manufacturer must design and construct his then to an SOE RTU) with such duplication of
hardware, software and firmware to meet the wiring/inputs resulting in considerable additional
required Logical Node (LN) description cost [9]. Furthermore, wiring can be reduced further
requirements of IEC 61850 (though IEC 61850 does if GOOSE messages are used, since wiring for the
provide SAS equipment manufacturer’s and same condition to two, or more IED’s does not have
customer’s additional functionality as IEC 61850 to be duplicated (e.g.-this saves considerable wiring
optional features). [5] if GOOSE interlocks are used, since GOOSE signals
can be sent from one IED to another to indicate the
A third major core feature is for the common state of a particular device that have to be reported to
development of common IEC 61850 code known as two, or more IED’s).
a Substation Configuration Language (SCL)
which can support control and protection applications A third major benefit is the greater data acquisition
for a multivendor environment. Although developing and control capability of the Station HMI level. This
raw IEC 61850 SCL code is cumbersome, and can be did not exist before with stand-alone equipment in
error prone (since it generally uses command-line conventional substations, where for example, fault
like features), most SAS equipment manufacturers recording was performed by stand-alone fault
now offer SCL shortcut tools (e.g SEL with its SEL
accelerator, ABB with its PCM 600, etc.) which is The fourth major benefit is also in terms of
Graphic User Interface (GUI) based and based on the supporting combined control and protection
GUI tools, generates the raw SCL code which can, in functionality into one IED unit which can save
some cases can generate SCL code on a competing considerable space especially at the lower voltage
SAS equipment manufacturer’s IEC 61850 based levels where switchgear is relatively compact, and
equipment. It is also noted for the SCL development there is not much floor space for separate control and
process, virtually all SAS equipment manufacturer’s protection “boxes” (combined control and protection
have SCL interpretation tools which can interpret raw functionality is available with many SAS equipment
SCL code for errors which may occur as part of the manufacturer’s offerings for units provided at the
SCL development process. [6] 13.8 kV level). [8]
In summary, the major benefits are cost reduction Horizontal communication [2[
through reduced duplication of wiring, and reduction
of equipment which provides the same functionality, For the horizontal communication requirements,
and greater data acquisition and control functionality basically, in the SEC survey performed by most SAS
equipment manufacturers, there are two horizontal
Impact on substation specification communications paths that are used.

Given that Substation Automation Systems (SAS) are The first horizontal communications path that is used
generally integrated systems which integrate is what is known as the inter-bay bus, which for
Substation Control, Data Acquisition, Sequence of IEC 61850 based systems, MUST be configured as
Events Recording, Disturbance Recording, Protective per IEC 61850 requirements. This is due to the
Relaying, Substation Communications, Display, and situation that, under IEC 61850, there are priority
Annunciation systems, there is a major impact in the communications requirements based on the urgency
development of substation control, data acquisition, of the message that is to be transmitted and received.
and protection systems which used to be served by For example, GOOSE messages which are used for
stand-alone units. In the impact on substation interlocking signals, and certain inter-trip signals,
specification development, the systems developer must have a very fast speed and must take a higher
must be knowledgeable and cognizant of all areas of priority over such messages as transfer of data
SAS, and related discipline engineers (such as acquisition signals (e.g. transfer of disturbance
Protection), must also be knowledgeable in all areas records) . IEC 61850 has very well defined standards
of SAS substation specification development. in terms of implementation of priority signals, and
transit time for all IEC 61850 signals, where other
Ideally, the SAS system specification developer general standards do not. As far as SEC's survey of
should have considerable protection experience and the current market, all SAS equipment manufacturers
training, SOE experience and training, SCADA DO implement IEC 61850 on their inter-bay bus,
experience and training, substation communications and SEC specifications in this regard require the use
experience and training, network experience and of IEC 61850 for this application.
training, IEC 61850 standards experience and
training, and finally HMI experience and training. The second horizontal communications path is
known as the Station Bus, and depending on the
Furthermore, conventional substation systems SAS equipment manufacturer, may be implemented
specifications must be modified to accommodate under IEC 61850, or through other means (it is noted
SAS, and modifications made to eliminate older that for the station bus, if a SAS equipment
stand-alone SCADA RTUS’s , SOE RTU’s, manufacturer does not implement this under IEC
Protective Relays, etc. to accommodate SAS 61850, then virtually all SAS equipment
equipment additions manufacturers (who do not manufacture an IEC
61850 station bus) offer this requirement through
Vertical communication [2] standard TCP/IP). On the Ma'aden project, Station
Bus requirements are offered by the Contractor by
From SEC’s experience in the communications standard TCP/IP, and not IEC 61850.
infrastructure and levels of hierarchy of SAS, most
SAS equipment manufacturers tend to use a level Goose messages
hierarchy comprising four control levels which are as
follows: One of the major advantages of IEC for an Electric
• Mimic (Electromechanical Control) Level- Utility (as indicated before) is that there can be a
Lowest considerable reduction in wiring (and related
• Control IED Level reductions in wiring labor costs) for SAS
• Station HMI Level-Highest Level at the installations which use GOOSE messaging
Substation capability. For interlocking conditions related to
• Power Control Center Level-Highest closing of an earthing switch, interlocking data can
be obtained by hard-wired means, or messages
Generally, most SAS equipment manufacturers do transferred (for interlocking information) through
only allow control for a switchgear item from one GOOSE messages. If GOOSE messages are
level only, but in rare cases control of switchgear can employed, this can eliminate multiple distribution
be split between certain levels (e.g. one part of the wiring from an IED which generates this
substation may be provided control from the Power interlocking information to multiple external IED's
Control Center, and the other part can be provided which can result in considerable cost savings, as
control from the Station HMI). Although for some duplicate wiring does not have to be run, and
SAS equipment manufacturers this can be made interlocking data can be transferred between IED's
possible, SEC discourages this practice (except for through the use of GOOSE messages example, for a
maintenance) since no clear levels of control can be breaker and one-half scheme, for the
provided for tagging/operations purposes.
In SEC's case, what SEC has decided to do in this On the other hand, SNTP (Simple Network Time
regard, is to build the initial SAS equipped Protocol) has one advantage that SNTP can
substations with two interlocking schemes, with the distribute GPS Clock receiver information through
first scheme being hard-wired (use of the entire existing networks (IEC 61850 and TCP/IP
contacts/electromechanical relays) , and the second networks), eliminating special port requirements for
scheme being through software/GOOSE. In the case SAS equipment (as SNTP signals are transferred by
of Ma'aden, the scheme is as such that the final the inter-bay bus to the specific SAS devices.).
interlocking filtering process is through hard-wired Another advantage of SNTP is that SNTP does NOT
means (as at the current time, hard wired schemes require the use of a considerable amount of
tend to be the most trusted), but the first interlocking additional clock distribution schemes (as IRIG-B
path (using software/GOOSE) does an initial check does), which can result in cost savings. However,
of interlocking conditions. However, on later SNTP does have a major disadvantage in that SNTP
projects, as SEC does gain trust in the operation of requires a. deviation of a maximum 5 mS from "real
software/GOOSE interlocking schemes, there may be time" for SAS devices generating time stamp
a requirement to trust and rely upon information for records purposes.
software/GOOSE as the interlocking scheme of
choice, and eliminate the use of hard-wired In the case of Ma'aden, SEC did accept the use of
interlocks. SNTP with the condition that all SAS devices
deriving time stamp information from SNTP shall
Also, GOOSE messages can be used for other see a maximum of 1 mS deviation from real time for
applications, such as forwarding of inter-trip signals time stamping information, which the Contractor
within the substation only (inter-trips between agreed to comply with.
substations will be defined in a future version 2 of
IEC 61850) and other applications. Ethernet architecture considerations

Finally, due to the criticality of GOOSE messages Given that IEC 61850 is in the relatively early stages
the use of GOOSE messages requires a very high of standardizing fault-tolerant Ethernet architecture,
reliability for the communications path for the inter- on early SEC SAS projects (e.g. Ma'aden), SEC has
bay bus. Basically for future projects, SEC requires accepted non redundant Ethernet architecture in
the implementation of redundant inter-bay bus specific rings for each voltage level. This
schemes which will comply with the future IEC architecture allows for some fault-tolerant features,
61850 Version 2 requirement in this regard such as path switching if there is a fiber cable break
in the inter-bay bus, but does not provide for fault
Time synchronization tolerance of the Ethernet architecture if there an
Ethernet Switch failure. In the case of Ma'aden, to
One of the key functions of SAS is with regard to get around this problem, very high reliability
time synchronization of all components of the SAS substation hardened Ethernet switches were used,
installation. Generally, in the survey which SEC has and which can be easily replaced with an entire
performed with various SAS equipment replacement Ethernet switch in a very short period of
manufacturers, time synchronization can be time (e.g.-five to ten minutes).
performed through the use of IRIG-B signals (which
provides a maximum of 1 ms deviation from real However, for future SAS projects, as IEC 61850 will
time for SAS components), and the second method is be defining a redundant Ethernet architecture (using
through use of SNTP (System Network Time the principles of IEC 62439) , SEC is now
Protocol-which provides a maximum of 5 ms specifying the use of the version of IEC 62439
deviation from real time for all SAS components). which is planned to be implemented under IEC
61850 Version 2.
For IRIG-B, again, the advantage of IRIG-B is that
there is a better time resolution deviation with IRIG- SEC have surveyed SAS equipment manufacturers
B. but the major disadvantage of IRIG-B is that pertaining to the interest for developing IEC 61850
dedicated hard-wired IRIG-B signal port inputs must Version 2/IEC 62439 redundant products, and at
be available for all SAS equipment devices (e.g. least two SAS equipment manufacturers have
IED's Station HMI equipment, etc. which may not be expressed an interest in developing product and
implemented by all SAS equipment manufacturers) software/firmware in this application, and it is
Also, due to this disadvantage elaborate clock expected that further SAS equipment manufacturers
distribution schemes must be developed and will follow the lead of the two SAS equipment
provided, and can be very costly as a result of the manufacturers in this regard.
implementation of the distribution schemes.
Main aspects of system design • Station Level

In the main aspects of SAS system design, probably The Station Level provides the human machine
the most important and key aspect is SAS interface (HMI) as a central place for Substation
installations MUST be designed and constructed with Operation. This is normally located in a central
a very high degree of availability and reliability. SEC room (control room), which should be shielded
requirements in SEC specifications call for a 99.995 against electromagnetic disturbances from the
percent availability for the SAS System design. switchyard. Further all general purpose hardware,
Furthermore, SEC specifications require a 20 year Displays/Screens and printers are concentrated on
MTBF figure for all non-redundant portions of the Station Level. All general management and station
SAS (e.g control IED's, etc.) To meet this availability level functions like event logging & printing,
requirement, redundancy of key components in the archiving and historical data storing are located at
SAS is specified (e.g. Station HMI equipment, Station Level.
communications gateways, etc), and where required
the SAS Equipment manufacturer must design his o Station HMI – It serves to operate and
system taking this availability factor in this account. supervise the S/S. Industrial grade
workstation running windows XP, or other
Other main aspects of SAS System Design will proprietary operating system along with
generally involve the integration of control, applications software.
protection, data acquisition, interlocking systems,
substation communications, time synchronization, o Printer(s) – For Alarm, Events and Reports.
annunciator and alarm systems into one cohesive They may be Laser and/or dot-matrix
IEC 61850 compliant installation. It is due to this printers.
reason that SEC is now requiring SAS equipment
suppliers/system integrators be able to design and o Engineering Workstation –Industrial grade
construct integrated comprehensive SAS workstation running windows XP, or other
installations, and SAS Contractors/Subcontractors proprietary operating system and it is mainly
will be fully responsible for delivering and used for engineering of SAS. It also runs
commissioning integrated SAS installations, and not engineering tools.
rely on a "piecemeal" approach (which was done in
the past with "stand alone" equipment. o GPS Clock Receiver(s) – For Time
synchronization.
SEC GENERAL SAS DESIGN STRUCTURE
o Communication Gateway(s) – It provides
In general the Substation Automation Structure based data access and control from NCC. The data
on IEC 61850 consists of three levels (see Figure 3): transfer usually involves the protocol
conversion for specific protocol used by NCC
(ex. IEC 60870-5-104).

o Front End Station Computer(s) – For

Supervisory and Control functions. These are
industrial grade hardware running Windows
2003 Server or other operating system and
the application software (ex. MicroSCADA
Pro, PACIS, etc.). which may include Fault
Location capability, Transient Fault Recorder
functionality, and a considerable amount of
Protection features in a multifunctional Bay
(Figure 3) Level Protection IED(s).

1. Station Level: Provides an overview across o Alarm Annunciator – For all station relevant
the whole station. alarms from the fire fighting system, the
battery charger etc. are connected to this
2. Bay Level: Usually close to the switchgear annunciator.
and allows the operation with one bay only.
o Station Alarm Device – It is used in SAS to
3. Process Level: Provides the interface resume and show associated alarms. Its main
between the SAS and the switchgear. purpose is to call attention to abnormal
process conditions. It presents exchange the
active alarm classes (grouped process alarms)
of the SAS and the watchdog functions of the
station computers.
 o IEC 61850 LAN- It is the interbay bus for • Process Level
real time data among Bay Level (Control &
Protection) IED(s) and this interbay bus also It provides the interface between the SAS and
connects the bay devices at this level to the the switchgear. For now, the process level is
Station Level. The LAN is conformant to still implemented in the conventional way
IEC 61850-8-1 standard. It consists of the (using copper connections) so no change in
industrially hardened Ethernet Switches and expected in the system at the process level.
the Fiber Optic links.

o Station LAN – The Station LAN based on 5. MAADEN PILOT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
IEEE 802.3 and TCP/IP is used to
interconnect the subsystems at the station Project Execution Plan
level. Station HMI, Front End Station
Computers, Engineering Workstation, and With respect to Ma’aden, the original plan was to
Printers etc are connected to this LAN. The provide this as a customer-owned substation, which
Station LAN consists of the industrially the customer (Ma’aden) would have operated and
hardened Ethernet Switches and Copper/Fiber maintained the entire substation, from the 380 kV
Optic links. side of the substation, down to the station service
voltage level at 13.8 kV. In early, 2008, however, an
o Others (DC/AC Inverters, Media converters, agreement was reached with SEC Management for
Large LCD Display & Modems). SEC to take over the operation of the 380 kV voltage
level (which is configured in a breaker and one-half
• Bay Level scheme). As the original design of the substation
provided for conventional (non-SAS) scheme but the
o Bay Level Control IED(s) concept that was changed to Substation Automation
Bay level control function allows to operate a (SAS). Under the original concept, there was one
bay locally. All bay related measurands SAS installation to cover all voltage levels, but as
(voltage, current, power, frequency….), time progressed with the separation of responsibility,
alarms and relevant state information are two SAS installations were provided for the
displayed here, and control commands can be substation, with one SAS installation for the 380 kV
initiated by means of a HMI, which is side (to be eventually operated by SEC), and one
integrated in the bay control unit (BCU) as a SAS installation for the115/13.8 kV side (to be
screen with functional buttons. Also eventually operated by Ma’aden).
additional functions may be included in the
Bay Level Control IED(s),such as synchro- Although the Ma’aden contract is one contract (to be
check, synchronization (for Power Plant SAS managed by Ma’aden/Worley-Parsons), any items
installations), Pole Discrepancy protection related to the 380 kV portion of the substation are
functions, Auto-reclosing, PT Fuse Fail closely coordinated with SEC, and with SEC
functionality, GOOSE interlocking, etc. Also providing final approval for the portions of the
at this level there is a mimic panel (Local substation regarding the 380 kV side (including the
Control Mimic) generally inside the LCC Substation Automation System (SAS)).
which provides for emergency control
functions in the event of failure of the Bay Currently, there is a target for energization of the 380
Control Level IED. kV side of the substation by September, 30, 2009,
and generally the project is now proceeding on
o Bay Level Protection IED(s) schedule (although in the early stages of the project
The object protection is typically also located (especially with regard to SAS portions) there was a
on bay level, as the classical objects like slip in the schedule, but there is considerable “catch
lines, transformers and generators are all up” activity). It is anticipated that the September 30,
allocated to switch bays, so that they can be 2009 energization date will be met
isolated from the substation busbar by
tripping the corresponding circuit breaker. Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
Numerical protection relays have a LCD Procedures/Plan
based built-in HMI, which allows checking
the last events and the activated protection For the SAS for the 380 kV side of Ma’aden 380 kV
parameters. Additionally some SAS substation, there were a numerous amount of Factory
equipment manufacturer's Bay Level Tests, and Factory Acceptance Tests which were
Protection IED(s ) provide additional data performed as part of the SAS FAT process. Basically
acquisition functionality which may be to familiarize SEC with the process of the Factory
included in the Bay Level Protection IED(s) Acceptance Testing process, the Contractor did
provide considerable training on both the system, and
documentation review training.
This training was held both in-Kingdom (within information needed for the Contractor to
Saudi Arabia), and in ABB’s facilities in develop his SCD (Substation Configuration
Switzerland. During and after the training on the Description) files, and related CID
SAS, there were two levels of FAT, with the first (Configured IED Description) files was not
level known as the LCC FAT (Local Control explained early by the Contractor, and was
Cubicles FAT) which was conducted in early only picked up by SEC during the formal
February, 2009 (which covered components in the In-Kingdom Training. To resolve this for
LCC’s, including Mimic Panels, Bay Control Units future SAS related projects, SEC is now
(BCU-or Control IED’s), Meters, Terminal Blocks, requiring in future SAS Scopes of Work
auxiliary relays, etc.). The second stage of the FAT that as part of the overall SAS Training
process was called the SAS System FAT, and Plan for each contract, that
covered Busbar Protection/ Breaker Failure “Documentation Review” Training is to be
Protection, General SAS components and other held before the start of the Base Design
integrated SAS items (e.g. inverters, GPS receivers, Review Stage. During this portion of the
etc.) and which was performed in mid-March, 2009.. training, deficiencies on an overall SAS
All items related to the LCC Cubicles have been installation and key requirements which are
resolved, and clearance is underway for items needed by the Contractor can be identified
relating to the SAS System FAT. early, so that SEC can provide this timely
information so as not to delay the overall
Testing/Commissioning Activities/Procedures design process.

It is planned to start the Testing/Commissioning • Unfamiliarity with SAS from key SEC
activities for SAS related items during the months of departments Given that the concepts of SAS
July, August and September, 2009. Due to the is relatively new with many of the key SEC
process of requiring traceability throughout the Operating Departments, this has caused a
testing process (e.g. “cradle to grave” traceability), it considerable problem of adaptation of
is hoped that there will be minimizing the personnel with key SAS personnel are very
repeating/replication of requirements. For example, familiar with the operation of hard-wired
SEC Operating tests during the overall interlocks, but software/ GOOSE interlocks
testing/commissioning process as a result of is a brand new concept for these personnel,
traceability of past tests, thus reducing the overall and there is currently may not be enough
testing/commissioning time. However, given that this trust in software/GOOSE interlocking
is the first SAS installation which SEC will operate, concepts or systems. It is for this situation
it is hoped that as part of the testing/commissioning that a. series (parallel) scheme of software/
activities, new SEC players will be involved, so due GOOSE interlocks along with hard-wired
to this, some aspects of the testing/commissioning interlocks, with the hard-wired interlocking
process may be extended. Also, being the last filter in the interlocking chain.
testing/commissioning will involve testing all However, in the future, as SEC personnel,
components of the SAS, including all control and gain further experience with SAS as well as
protection functions of SAS, as well as auxiliary further familiarity with SAS it is eventually
functions (inverters, GPS receivers, Communications envisaged to phase out hard-wired
Gateways, Station HMI computers, workstations, interlocking schemes and rely solely upon
etc.). software/GOOSE interlocking schemes

Learning Points • Lack of SEC Standards related to SAS and

adaptation of current SEC standards related
Given that Ma’aden is the first SAS installation to SAS- Given that SAS is a relatively new
which SEC will eventually operate the 380 kV SAS, concept for SEC, there has not been quite a
there are many learning points that have been bit of standards development activity related
encountered as part of the SAS implementation to SAS installations within SEC. Currently
process. Some of the learning the only major SAS standards development
points/pitfalls/problems which have been activity is development of a Generic SAS
encountered include the following: Scope of Work to be used for future SEC
substations equipped with SAS. Further
• Lack of formal training in the early stages of plans are being considered by the SEC to
the project For this, many of the items develop new SAS Materials, Engineering
which could have been learned (and have and Construction Standards, as well as
actually been learned) as part of formal development of an Approved Materials List,
training were picked up in the late stages of as well as a listing of approved SEC SAS
the project, causing possible considerable Contractors/Subcontractors. It is expected
delays. For example, during the early stages that this process will be finalized in the next
of the project, the importance of timely two to three years.
 • Learning from other Electric Utilities and SEC Executive Management Endorsement
SAS equipment manufacturers- It is noted
that many Electric Utilities worldwide have For the Ma’aden project, during the first phases of
already installed a considerable number of the SAS for the project, SEC Executive Management
SAS installations (including IEC 61850 was very heavily involved with regarding the
based installations) , as part of the overall endorsement of SAS for the 380 kV side of the
learning process, SEC personnel have Ma’aden 380 kV substation (which. SEC will
attended site visits to various operational eventually operate and maintain). SEC Executive
SAS installations, including in Electric Management has worked very closely with the
Utilities in Bahrain, and other locations. customer (Ma’aden) in this regard in the past, and
Further visits are planned as SEC will expect to work closely with Ma’aden as it
coordinates with various SAS equipment pertains of turnover of the 380 kV substation portion
manufacturers as time goes on. (including the SAS) to SEC.

• Keeping Current with Industry Standards 6. GENERIC SCOPE OF WORK SUBSTATION

related to SAS- As part of determining the AUTOMATION SYSTEM
“State of the Art” as it relates to SAS, SEC
has been heavily involved with review of Generic Scope Rationale for of Work
current industry standards related to SAS. Development
Most importantly, review of new versions of
IEC 61850 is key, as Version 2 of IEC As part of the process relating to engineering, design
61850 will have to be performed as Version documentation review, construction, testing/
2 gets rolled out. commissioning and ultimate energization of
substations SEC is generally responsible for
• Close coordination within SEC departments development of what is known as a Scope of Work/
related to SAS- As SAS installations require Technical Specification document for substations,
an interdisciplinary approach to engineering As part of the substation Scope of Work/Technical
/design, construction, testing/commissioning Specification development, in the past, “stand-alone”
and operations, for a number of systems, control, data acquisition, and protective relaying
there needs to be close coordination systems have been specified to facilitate the
between the various SEC departments. For engineering, design documentation review,
this objective, SEC has developed a SAS construction, testing/ commissioning, and ultimate
Team (see below), and is now developing a energization of these “stand alone” systems.
strategic plan which will involve and be
coordinated with many SEC departments. It is noted that in the SEC development for all
substation Scopes of Work/Technical
SAS Team Specifications, the main objective is to write a
specification that is as competitive as possible to
With regard to the overall SAS implementation plan support the competitive bid process while
for Ma’aden and other SAS related projects, SEC has maintaining overall operational and maintenance
formed what is called a SAS Team which is objectives for SEC substations..
multidisciplinary in approach (comprising of many
members from different SEC departments), and for Based on this, SEC did decide that this process
the Ma’aden project, the SAS Team (Substation should be extended to future Substation Automation
Automation System Team) was very heavily Systems to facilitate the transition to these SAS
involved during the Base Design Stage and Base based substations.
Design Review stage of SAS, reviewing many of the
aspects of SAS, including control and protection The Development Process
philosophies, basic construction of SAS, and
interfacing of SAS with external equipment/systems Basically in the development process, SEC has taken
(e.g. external SCADA Master Stations, SOE Master a parallel (two fold) approach with regard to
Stations, and other external systems/equipment). completing the development of the SAS Generic
Also, on future projects, it is anticipated that the SAS Scope of Work. This is described as follows:
Team will be considerably involved with assisting in
the development of standards, and review of The first approach is for an SEC review of existing
equipment offerings, and overall SAS systems control, data acquisition, and protective relaying
offered by various SAS equipment vendors/systems requirements as it pertains to current “stand alone”
integrators. systems, and, in consultation with various SEC
departments, and applicable standards (e.g. IEC
61850) , adapt the functional requirements of these-
“stand alone” systems into integrated SAS solutions
which will be acceptable to SEC in the future. As • Ongoing evolution of the IEC 61850
part of the development of these integrated SAS standard. It is noted that, according to IEC,
solutions, additional requirements which may not be IEC 61850 will be a continually evolving
included in conventional “stand alone” systems standard, However, evolution of IEC 61850
which are peculiar to SAS (e.g. Automatic Switching will insure “backwards” compatibility to
Sequences) are included in the development of the earlier versions of IEC 61850, but will
Generic SAS Scope of Work provide enhancements to the IEC 61850
standard as they become available. For
The second parallel approach involves a survey of example, part of IEC 61850 Version 2 will
various SAS equipment manufacturers/SAS system provide enhancements which are key to the
integrators to see what the competing SAS equipment reliability of substation communications
manufacturers/SAS system integrators offer in terms networks by providing a redundant IEC
of IEC 61850 based products pertaining to SAS, as 61850 Ethernet standard scheme.
well as major similarities and differences between
IEC 61850 based systems between the competing • SEC considers this vital for SAS
SAS equipment suppliers/system integrators. For this installations operating at the 380 kV voltage
process, SEC has selected a core group of leading level operations.
SAS equipment manufacturers/SAS System
Integrators serving the Gulf Cooperation Council • Ongoing experience with regard to SEC and
(GCC) market. other electric utilities engineering/operating/
maintenance experience with IEC 61850
Under the total approach, it is noted that SEC does based SAS installations. In this respect,
plan to develop two separate SAS Generic Scope of SEC does expect to energize its first 380 kV
Work documents, with one Generic SAS Scope of SAS based substation installation (Ma’aden
Work being developed for 380 kV substations, and 380 kV) in the fall of 2009, and during
the second SAS Generic Scope of Work being for 2010/2011, there will be various 132 kV
132 kV (and lower voltage level) substations. There and below substations which will be
will be minor revisions between the documents, with implemented with SAS. Furthermore, SEC
the 132 kV (and below) Generic SAS Scope of Work will be in constant communications with
emphasizing the electrical distribution nature of the other electric utilities who are implementing
substation, and the 380 KV Generic SAS Scope of (or who have had implemented) SAS, and
Work emphasizing the bulk power nature of SEC 380 also will obtain ongoing experience of
kV substations. engineering/operations/ maintenance of
their SAS based installations. Based on this
The current status of the Generic SAS Scope of combined ongoing experience, annual
Work Development Process, involves is that SEC refinements/updates will be needed for the
has completed the survey of the various SAS Generic SAS Scopes of Work where it is
Equipment Manufacturers/System Integrators, and deemed to be necessary.
based on the SAS equipment manufacturer’s inputs,
and internal SEC development process and is • Annual survey of SAS equipment
anticipated to release the final draft of the SAS manufacturers/SAS System Integrators to
Generic Scope of Work for internal SEC SAS Team determine improvements to their equipment
review/comment by the end of June, 2009 (both based on improvements on IEC
61850, as well as any SAS equipment
Annual Updates manufacturers/ SAS System Integrators
specific additional features which do not
As indicated previously, SEC is currently in the conflict with IEC 61850). Surveys of the
process of finalizing the Generic SOW documents tor SAS Team to determine what should be
SAS, and once finalization is completed, it is planned included in the Generic SAS Scope of
to develop the Generic SOW documents for SAS as Work annual updates based on the other
being a final SEC Approved Engineering Standard. three items indicated above
The timeline for implementation of these Generic
SAS Scope of Work documents into an SEC It should be noted that, once the initial Generic SAS
Approved Engineering Standard will be in late, 2009. Scope of Work documents are finalized and
approved as an Approved SEC Engineering
After approval of these Generic SAS Scope of Work Standard, this SOW annual update requirement will
documents into SEC Approved Engineering no longer be the responsibility SAS Team, but will
standards, it is expected that annual updates to these the responsibility of SEC Transmission Standards
standard SAS Generic Scope of Work documents and Specifications Department.
will be required due primarily to the following four
factors :
 • For Testing and Commissioning activities,
7. SEC SAS FRAMEWORK on initial SAS installations, the applicable
SEC Operating departments will be
Aligning of various SEC disciplines according to involved with Test/Commissioning
SAS structure witnessing, but as SEC Commissioning
Services Department (SEC CSD) becomes
In this activity, internal SEC evaluation has been more familiar with SAS, this activity will
performed with regard to conventional (non-SAS) eventually be turned over to SEC CSD for
Substation Control, Data Acquisition and Protective later SAS projects.
Relaying systems and the organizational framework • Operations and Maintenance activities will
for planning, engineering, construction supervision, be shared for SAS between SEC SOCD
test/commissioning, and operations/maintenance of (Systems Operations and Control
these conventional systems. As part of this internal Department) and SEC SMD (Substation
SEC evaluation, similar systems in SAS were looked Maintenance Department).
at/reviewed, and where it was deemed to be possible,
a one-to-one correspondence between non-SAS As highlighted in this paper, for SAS Standards
(conventional) systems and SAS components/ Development and Generic SAS Scope of Work
installations was performed, where possible. Once Updates, this will be performed by SEC
this was completed, boundaries were set, and Transmission Standards and Specifications
proposed details of responsibilities were provided Department (SEC TSSD).
within an internal SEC document. Further
information in this regard appears below. Finalization of SEC SAS Strategic Plan

Setting boundaries of functions and It is noted that all items indicated in this section
responsibilities and detailing of responsibilities (SEC SAS Framework) will be identified as part of
the SEC SAS Strategic Plan, which is currently being
Based on the above, SEC has proposed the setting of routed through SEC Executive Management at this
boundaries and responsibilities pertaining to time.
planning, engineering, construction supervision,
test/commissioning, and operations/maintenance of 8. STRATEGIC IMPACT ON SEC OPERATION
SAS based installations. Although this is currently in
routing to SEC Executive Management for final Reorganization of current SEC departmental
approval by SEC Management, some of the initial functions as SEC migrates to new SAS equipped
highlights of these boundaries and detailing of substations, and retrofits existing conventional
responsibilities is as follows: substations to SAS

• For general planning and engineering Due to the limited number of SAS installations that
responsibilities for SAS installations at SEC is having at this time (two 380 kV substations in
new/existing 380 kV substations, (and 2009-2011, and approximately four lower voltage
when included as part of a 380 kV Scope of substations in that same time period) , there is no
Work interconnected lower voltage current plans to reorganize operations and
substations) this will be the responsibility maintenance functions within SEC for the initial
of SEC Transmission Asset Development SAS equipped substations indicated in this
Department. paragraph. However, as more SAS installations take
place and as SEC and other electric utilities gain
• For general planning and engineering more operational and maintenance experience with
responsibilities for SAS installations at other SAS, SEC is not ruling out possible reorganization of
substations (not indicated in the previous operations/maintenance functions to take advantage
bulleted item), this will be the responsibility of SAS’s integrated approach to substation
of the respective SEC Engineering and control/protection/data acquisition and metering.
Design Division (SEC E and DD SEC notes that as IEC 61850 based SAS
Department). installations have only been in existence for a limited
period of time (about five years), there will be much
• For all planning and engineering activities orientation provided as part of the early SAS
for SAS, the various SEC operating and installations before reorganization is to be
standards departments will be interfaced considered.
with, including SEC SOCD, SEC SMD, and
SEC TSSD. Recognition of cost/benefit analyses and
improvements of SAS equipped substations
compared to conventional substations
Theoretically, SAS can offer considerable reduced Given that Ma’aden is the first SEC 380 kV
costs and improved benefits as compared to substation equipped with SAS, there were
conventional substations. Wiring can be considerably agreements between Ma’aden and SEC Executive
reduced, there can be combined protection Management to require Ma’aden and the Contractor
functionalities into one protection IED (and possibly to provide extensive training related to SAS for the
combined control/protection functionalities into a Ma’aden project. Both In-Kingdom Training and
combined control/protection IED), better reporting of Out-of-Kingdom Training was provided, and which
events, elimination of “stand alone” boxes and other provided or will provide the following training
improved benefits of SAS as compared to requirements/concepts:
conventional installations. It is hoped that for both
the ongoing SAS Installations at Ma’aden, and JEC • Documentation Review Training for SAS
380 kV substation, and future SAS installations, equipment (In-Kingdom-held in November,
these reductions in costs and improvements in 2008). This training encompassed concepts
benefits can be documented and identified to SEC related to specific details related to ABB
Management to support improvements in operations MicroSCADA, Ethernet Switches, IEC
and maintenance of SAS equipped substations as 61850 concepts related to SAS, IED’s used
well as for future SAS designs/engineering. This will for Control and other matters, configuration
be performed on an ongoing periodic basis within of equipment, and other SAS related items.
SEC. This training was separate from the training
for the Protection Related to SAS (see
Full integration of control, data acquisition, below).
metering, and protection into one SAS installation
• Documentation Review Training for
As stated before, SAS installations are fully Protection equipment related to SAS
integrated installations which encompass control, equipment (In-Kingdom-held in November,
data acquisition, metering and protection 2008). This training encompassed concepts
functionalities into one installation. In terms of related to specific details related to the ABB
addressing the strategic impact on SEC Operations of REB 500 BBP/Breaker Failure Protection
SAS installations such full integration capabilities Relays and Siemens 7SS52 BBP/Breaker
must be reviewed to see how this could be tailored to Failure Protection Relays, and their
existing and planned SEC Operations of SAS integration into SAS.
installations.
• FAT Acceptance Training related to SAS
9. TRAINING and Protection related into SAS. (Out-of-
Kingdom held in the first quarter of 2009)
Seminars/Workshops/Presentations by various This training encompassed concepts
SAS vendors/manufacturers/system integrators required by SEC to understand concepts
related to the Factory Acceptance Testing
Throughout the years of 2007, 2008, and 2009, for both the SAS components as well as the
various members of the SEC SAS Team (SAST) Protection IED’s integrated into the SAS.
have been involved with seminars/workshops
/presentations provided by various SAS vendors/ • Substation Operator Training related to SAS
manufacturers/system integrators. These SAS (In-Kingdom-planned by August, 2009).
vendors/manufacturers/system integrators have This training will encompass SAS
included major manufacturing companies as well as Operations training as it relates to
suppliers of supporting equipment for SAS Substation Operators/Network Operators,
installations (e.g. Ethernet Switches, etc.). Training which will explain operation related to
provided by the Seminars/Workshops/ Presentations MicroSCADA, Control IED’s, Mimics and
for the SAS vendors tended to be more informal in other auxiliary equipment.
nature which generally states concepts related to SAS
for each of the SAS equipment vendor’s products, • General Operations and Maintenance
and IEC 61850 functionality. Also, integration Training (In-Kingdom-planned by August,
concepts were also covered with the various SAS 2009). This training will encompass for
equipment vendor’s offerings, and comparison with detailed Operations and Maintenance
other competing SAS equipment vendor’s training of all SAS components, including
installations. routine and preventative maintenance of
SAS components, configuration of
equipment, and troubleshooting/fault
Training sponsored by Ma’aden location concepts. This training is intended
to be attended by SEC personnel who will
eventually operate and maintain the SAS
 10. FUTURE STRATEGIC PLANS

installation on the 380 kV side of the Initial rollout of SAS for new SEC 380 kV
substation. substations

It is noted that given the general satisfaction of the For 2008 and 2009 projects, there are two (2) 380 kV
training sequence indicated above, in future Generic substations which will be implemented with
SAS Scopes of Work, similar training concepts will Substation Automation Systems (SAS). Both these
be identified in the training Scopes of Works. 380 KV substations are customer funded 380 kV
substations, which are described hereafter:
Site visits to SAS equipped substations
• Ma’aden 380 kV Substation at Ras Az
Throughout the SAS development and Zawr-(2008 project-funded by Ma’aden and
implementation process, various members of the SEC due to be energized in September, 2009) For
SAS Team have visited, or will be visiting various this substation, there will be two (2)
SAS equipped substations both within the GCC independent SAS installations, which one
region, and worldwide. These site visits have been SAS installation covering the 380 kV side
arranged between SEC, various SAS equipment of the substation (which will eventually be
vendors/manufacturers/systems integrators, and operated and maintained by SEC), and the
customer utilities which have already operational second SAS installation covering the
SAS installations. Similar to the training provided by 115/13.8 kV sides of the substation (which
the seminars/presentations provided by the SAS will be operated and maintained by
equipment vendors/ manufacturers/systems Ma’aden). It is noted that considerable
integrators, this training (attributed to site visits to interfacing and demarcation has been
SAS equipped substations) tends to be more informal performed between Ma’aden and SEC as it
in nature, stressing overall architecture of the pertains to ties between the 115 kV SAS
operational SAS installations, benefits/drawbacks and the 380 kV SAS to insure that the two
for SAS, and demonstrations of SAS equipment SAS installations do remain under separate
operations. Primarily the site visits in the past have operations and maintenance responsibility.
stressed SAS installations in GCC, but future plans
will involve site visits to international installations • South Steel Plant in Jizan Economic City
during the next year. (2009 project-funded by the customer-due
to be energized in late 2010) For this
Technical exchange meetings/workshops with substation, there is one (1) SAS installation
Saudi ARAMCO which will cover all voltage levels (380 kV,
132 kV and 13.8 kV levels), and SEC will
As part of the support of training for the various eventually operate and maintain this SAS
members of the SEC SAS Team, there have been installation, after a two year SAS operations
technical exchange meetings/workshops with Saudi and maintenance agreement (immediately in
ARAMCO. It is noted that during these technical effect after the energization of the
exchange meetings/workshops, that Saudi substation) is completed by the Contractor.
ARAMCO’s approach to SAS tends to be for lower
voltage substations (generally 66/69 kV and below), As part of this initial rollout of SAS for these two
and that Saudi ARAMCO’s requirements for SAS 380 kV substations, a solid history will be obtained
tend to be slightly different than SEC (Saudi as it pertains to planning/engineering, operations/
ARAMCO tends to focus on SAS for internal Saudi maintenance and other aspects of SAS for 380 kV
ARAMCO’s requirements only, which may include substations to be considered for future 380 kV
integration of their SAS with various Saudi projects which may contain SAS. But for now, SAS
ARAMCO Plant Control Systems, whereas SEC may will be stressed for lower voltage substations (132
have to interface in more detail with other customers kV and below).
in their current and future SAS installations). But
common approaches between SEC and Saudi Extension of rollout to lower voltage substations
ARAMCO have been ascertained as part of these
Technical exchange meetings. Again, training For the 2009-2010 budget year, the stress for the
obtained by these Technical Exchange Meetings rollout of SAS will be for lower voltage substations
tends to be more informal and general, and does tend (132 kV and below). SEC Management has decided
to stress overall concepts related to planning/ that for new 132 kV and below substations, that IEC
engineering, operations and maintenance of SAS 61850 based SAS will be the only control, data
installations. acquisition, and protection systems which will be
considered. This rollout for SAS for the lower
voltage substations, combined with the experience-
 Development of SEC approved SAS equipment
list
gained by SEC on the two (2) 380 kV SAS
installations will provide SEC with a solid As part of the overall SEC plans for transition to
knowledge base for future SAS installations at all SAS, SEC will pursue activities related to developing
voltage levels for the 2011 and later SEC Budget an SEC approved SAS equipment and SAS Systems
years. list. It is noted that, similar to development of new
SEC standards related to SAS, this activity will
Modification and amendment of existing SEC probably take one to two years (with a mid-2011
standards completion) and until this new SEC approved SAS
equipment list is developed and finalized, SEC will
Currently, SEC has a very extensive standards need to only consider SAS supply vendors with
database for substations which covers SEC proven experience and background in supply of SAS
Transmission Engineering Standards (TES) , SEC equipment, and SAS systems for a considerable
Transmission Materials Standards Specifications number of past SAS equipped substations. Again,
(TMSS), and SEC Transmission Construction this will primarily be the activity of SEC
Specifications (TCS). However, many of these Transmission Standards and Specifications
current SEC Standards have been developed based on Department who will consult with the SEC SAS
“stand alone” systems (e.g. SCADA RTU’s, SOE Team.
RTU’s, etc.), and in their current form, cannot be
adapted to SAS based installations without extensive Development of an SEC approved list of
modification and amendment. For example, current prequalified SAS Contractors and Subcontractors
SEC Interlocking standards specify “hard-wired”
interlocks only, and given that SAS does also contain Given that with regard to SEC experience with SAS,
both hard-wired and software/GOOSE interlocks, and general Substation Construction contractors,
this standard has to be extensively modified and many of the general Substation Construction
amended. For the modification/amendment activity, Contractors do not have the detailed technical
this will primarily be the activity of SEC expertise in the installation and integration of SAS
Transmission Standards and Specifications installations into their substations, and that many of
Department who will consult with the SEC SAS the SAS equipment vendors/manufacturers/systems
Team. integrators do themselves build substations, but these
vendors represent a limited bid list (limiting
Development of new SEC standards related to competition for bidding on overall substations which
SAS incorporate SAS, SEC decided to take the approach
to develop an SEC approved list of prequalified SAS
Given that some components related to SAS are not Contractors and Subcontractors. For SAS
clearly identified in current SEC standards which are Contractors and SAS Subcontractors, this SAS
Engineering Standards, Materials Standards Contractor/Subcontractor will be fully responsible
Specifications, and Construction Standards (for for the overall engineering, supply, installation,
example, IEC 61850 based Ethernet schemes for the testing/commissioning of SAS equipment/systems on
Inter-bay communications bus), new SEC standards a full turnkey basis under the direction and
will need to be developed which will be specifically coordination with the main Substation Contractor.
tailored to SAS components/systems using IEC By using this approach, more open bidding for
61850. It is expected that this new SEC Standards substations equipped with SAS can be accomplished,
activity will take approximately 1 to 2 years to resulting in more competitive pricing for SEC and/or
develop, and until these new SEC standards are its customers. Again, in developing this SEC
developed and finalized, SEC will need to only approved list of prequalified SAS Contractors and
consider SAS supply vendors with proven experience Subcontractors, this will take one to two years to
and background on a considerable number of past finalize (with expected completion by mid-2011).
SAS equipped substations. Again, as with the During the interim period from 2009 to 2011, SEC
modification and amendment of existing SEC will only be considering SAS Contractors/
standards, this will primarily be the activity of SEC Subcontractors with proven contracting/
Transmission Standards and Specifications subcontracting experience related to SAS
Department who will consult with the SEC SAS installations at numerous SAS equipped substations
Team. worldwide, with an emphasis of this experience
being for Electric Utilities in the GCC Region.
Again, this development activity will primarily be
the activity of SEC Transmission Standards and
Specifications.
11. CONCLUSIONS
[3] De Mesmaeker, C. Rytoft, P. Reinhardt
Saudi Electricity Company is continuously faced PROTECTION AND SUBSTATION
with the challenge to provide its customers with safe, AUTOMATION SYSTEMS:
affordable and reliable electricity. The need to STANDARDIZATION, INTEGRATION AND
monitor and control the substations and take accurate INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
and timely precautions has become of paramount
importance. The International Electro-technical [4] Julian Alzate and Dave DolezilekCase
Commission through its TC57 technical committee Study: Design and Implementation of IEC 61850
developed and released IEC61850 that swiftly From Multiple Vendors at CFE La Venta II
responds to real time events with appropriate actions
and has emerged to ensure the maintenance of [5] Dave Dolezilek
uninterrupted power services to the end-users. IEC 61850: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Though there are still some draft standards in ABOUT FUNCTIONALITY AND
IEC61850 suites, there already have been several PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION
operators-accepted implementations to date.
Acceptance of IEC61850 as the Substation [6] Wolfgang Wimmer
Automation standard by SEC management has been IEC 61850 SCL - MORE THAN
timely, the IEC61850 version2 standard is also INTEROPERABLE DATA EXCHANGE
expected to be finalized by the end of year 2009. BETWEEN ENGINEERING TOOLS
SEC by this time expects to have successfully
implemented their first IEC61850 based Substation
Automation System at Maaden 380/115KV [7] Karlheinz Schwarz
Substation. The implementation process of Maaden IMPACT OF IEC 61850 ON SYSTEM
380/115KV SAS has been an enormous learning ENGINEERING, TOOLS, PEOPLE-WARE,
process and a great experience not only for the SAST AND THE ROLE OF THE SYSTEM
members but for whole of the company. One aspect INTEGRATOR
of this whole process is the ongoing revision of all
the existing Transmission Engineering, Construction, [8] M.C. Janssen, C.G.A. Koreman
Materials and other related Company standards to SUBSTATION COMPONENTS
match the IEC61850 requirements and the other PLUG AND PLAY INSTEAD OF PLUG AND
important aspect is the in-house development of one PRAY The impact of IEC 61850
unified SAS standard for Company wide use.
Another important aspect of introducing IEC61850 [9] Mark Adamiak, Ron Patterson, Jerry Melcher
based SAS in the Company is the opportunity to look Inter and Intra Substation Communications:
into the various disciplines within the Company Requirements and Solutions
related to Engineering, Operations, Maintenance,
Testing & Commissioning and Project Management [10] Karlheinz Schwarz
activities for Substation projects and reorganize the Information models and information exchange
responsibilities and boundaries to adapt to the for electric power systems
changing requirements. The roadmap for SAS in
SEC is clear and SEC intends to benefit from the
future developments on IEC61850 to meet the
Company’s mission of providing its customers with
safe and reliable electricity and at the same time
meeting the expectations of the management and its
shareholders.

12. REFFERENCES

[1] B.Kruimer
Substation Automation – Historical Overview,
IEC Seminar, Kema, Amsterdam, August 2003

[2] Ivan De Mesmaeker1, Peter Rietmann, Klaus-

Peter Brand, Petra Reinhardt ABB Switzerland
Ltd. (Switzerland)
Substation Automation based on IEC 61850