Control and protection systems

In addition to our services in study, maintenance, measurements, and commissioning, Power Partner places a strategic emphasis on control aspects. Specifically, the control (SCADA) and protection systems within medium/high voltage power substations stand as integral components of the electrical grid infrastructure, and consequently, our team dedicates meticulous attention to the control service post-installation in the substation. Below is a comprehensive overview of these crucial systems:

Supervisory Control: SCADA systems enable operators to monitor and control various devices and equipment within the substation remotely. This includes circuit breakers, transformers, switches, and more. Operators can open/close switches, change setpoints, and execute control actions as needed to maintain grid stability and operational efficiency.

Data Acquisition: SCADA systems collect real-time data from sensors, meters, and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) throughout the substation. This data includes voltage levels, current flows, temperature, and other parameters. This information is crucial for monitoring the substation’s status and condition.

HMI (Human-Machine Interface): SCADA systems provide a user-friendly interface for operators to visualize the substation’s status through graphical displays, alarms, and trends. Operators can make informed decisions based on the data presented on the HMI.

Remote Access: SCADA systems often support remote access, allowing operators to monitor and control substations from a centralized control center. This feature is essential for ensuring grid reliability and responding to incidents promptly.

Protection Relay: Protection relays are used to detect abnormal electrical conditions, such as overcurrent, overvoltage, underfrequency, and other faults. When a fault is detected, these relays issue a trip signal to isolate the faulty section of the substation, preventing further damage.

Types of protection relays we specialize on are: Differential, Generator, Motor, Transformer, Line and Busbar Protection.

Fault Detection: Protection systems use various sensors and relays to identify faults within the substation or along the power lines. Fast and accurate fault detection is critical for minimizing downtime and maintaining grid stability.

Backup Protection: Redundancy is essential in protection systems. Backup relays and protection schemes are employed to ensure that even if one component fails, the substation can remain protected.

Coordination: Protection systems are carefully coordinated to ensure that the most appropriate relay operates during a fault. Coordination studies help optimize the response to faults while avoiding unnecessary tripping of healthy equipment.

Communication: Modern protection systems often incorporate communication capabilities to exchange data with the SCADA system and provide remote monitoring and control.

The synergy between SCADA and protection systems within medium/high voltage power substations is integral to upholding grid reliability, ensuring operator safety, and minimizing downtime during electrical faults. Continuously evolving with technological advancements, these systems are optimized to enhance functionality and reliability. Rely on Power Partner for cutting-edge solutions in advancing and maintaining these critical components for an optimized electrical grid.