Securing Publisher–Subscriber Smart Grid Infrastructure

The security of communication protocols in the smart grid system is a crucial concern. An adversary can exploit the lack of confidentiality and authentication mechanism to cause damaging consequences. In the substation automation systems that rely on multicast communication between various intelligent electronic devices, the lack of security features in the standard IEC61850 and IEC62351 can invite attackers to manipulate the integrity of the employed publisher–subscriber communication paradigm to their advantage. Consequently, many researchers have introduced various approaches offering authenticity and confidentiality. However, such schemes and methods for the aforesaid standards have computational limitations in compliance with the stringent timing requirements of specific applications in the smart grid. In this paper, we propose an approach that can fully secure the publisher–subscriber communication against confidentiality attacks. In this direction, we develop a demo tool to validate the performance of our proposed security approach for potential factors such as timing requirements and the size of the messages. Finally, we evaluate our scheme considering the requirements of the GOOSE, SMV, and MMS protocols in the substation automation systems.

Low-Impact Current-Based Distributed Monitoring System for Medium Voltage Networks

Distribution networks are currently subject to a huge revolution in terms of assets being installed. In particular, the massive spread of renewable energy sources has drastically changed the way of approaching the grid. For example, renewables affected (i) the production of the legacy power plants, (ii) the quality of the supplied energy, decreasing it, (iii) the fault detection and location, etc. To mitigate the significant drawbacks of the renewables’ presence, several intelligent electronic devices have been (and are being) developed and installed among the grid. The aim is to increase grid monitoring and knowledge of its status. However, considering the significant number of nodes of the distribution network, compared to the transmission one, the process of installing new equipment is not effortless and is also quite expensive. This work aims at emphasizing a new concept of distributed monitoring systems, based on the phasor measurement unit’s current measurements, and a controlling algorithm to exploit it. The idea underneath the work is to avoid the out-of-service time needed and the costs associated with the installation of voltage sensors. Therefore, this paper describes an algorithm that exploits measurements from existing equipment and current measurements from PMUs to obtain information on the load and the node voltages. The algorithm is then tested on simulated power networks of increasing complexity and verified with an uncertainty evaluation. The results obtained from the simulation confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the algorithm and the benefits of a current-based monitoring system.

OpenPLC61850: An IEC 61850 compatible OpenPLC for Smart Grid Research

OpenPLC is an open-source software that complies with IEC 61131-3 international standard and has been widely used by researchers to validate PLC logic execution. However, the software’s capability is limited as it is solely restricted to Modbus and DNP3 protocols. With the integration of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) into modernized power grid based on IEC 61850 standards, it is necessary to incorporate functionalities that enable PLCs to communicate with IEDs. Therefore, in this paper we develop OpenPLC61850, which is an extended version of OpenPLC and is compatible with the IEC 61850 protocol. The architecture and the procedure involved with PLC logic execution, IED communication, and SCADA connectivity are explained in this paper. As the proposed software is also an open source, we believe that this would be helpful for researchers for conducting smart grid research.

OpenPLC61850: An IEC 61850 compatible OpenPLC for Smart Grid Research

OpenPLC is an open-source software that complies with IEC 61131-3 international standard and has been widely used by researchers to validate PLC logic execution. However, the software’s capability is limited as it is solely restricted to Modbus and DNP3 protocols. With the integration of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) into modernized power grid based on IEC 61850 standards, it is necessary to incorporate functionalities that enable PLCs to communicate with IEDs. Therefore, in this paper we develop OpenPLC61850, which is an extended version of OpenPLC and is compatible with the IEC 61850 protocol. The architecture and the procedure involved with PLC logic execution, IED communication, and SCADA connectivity are explained in this paper. As the proposed software is also an open source, we believe that this would be helpful for researchers for conducting smart grid research.

Automation Supply Control of Substation during Disaster

Green and sustainable power is the need of the day. With widening supply and demand gap, power management has become one of the most critical areas of concern all over the world. India’s energy consumption is increasing at one of the fastest rates in the world. Hence, we require Substation Automation Systems in the present day substations to efficiently control and deliver power. The main objective is to create a SCADA system for the desired substation. Power automation serving electric supply locations often require special protection against the effects of fault-produced. Protection relays need to function immediately when a faulty condition occurs. This is why Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED’s) are brought in for safe operation of switchyard devices, which can prevent disasters to energy supply and help in human safety. With the introduction of IEC 61850, utility communication will be used for substation automation and also for protection purposes within a substation and between substations. A Substation Automation System (SAS) provides facility to control and monitor all the equipment in the substation locally as well as remotely. A Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system provides users with a Human Machine Interface (HMI) which can be used for controlling, monitoring and protection of devices. This saves us cost and time.Substations are key components of the power grid, facilitating the efficient transmission and distribution of electricity Substation automation systems make their control and monitoring possible in real time and help maximize availability, efficiency, reliability, safety and data integration.

Optimization of IEDs Position in MV Smart Grids through Integer Linear Programming

In the paper, an analytical method for determining the optimal positioning of intelligent electronic devices in medium voltage grids is proposed. Intelligent electronic devices are automated devices able to communicate one with each other and command the circuit breaker in order to localize and isolate a line fault as fast as possible. However, the number of intelligent electronic devices to install has to be limited, due to the relevant installation costs and the reduction in the transmission bandwidth caused by the increased number of exchanged messages. So, the electrical distributor has to carefully detect the nodes of the grid where the intelligent electronic devices have to be installed. The authors propose a method based on integer linear programming, which, given the number of intelligent electronic devices to install, finds their optimal position, i.e., the one that minimizes the penalties associated with the power down experienced by customers. In order to highlight the offered advantages in terms of computational effort, the proposed approach has been assessed with a real medium voltage grid.