Design and simulation of multi-function virtual grid edge intelligent electronic device with standardized semantics based on IEC 61850 standard

Abstract

The advancement of communication technologies has facilitated the evolution of traditional electric power system into a vast entity called smart grid. Various domains such as substation automation, distributed energy resources, advanced metering infrastructures, energy storage systems and many more serve as parts and parcels of smart grid. Fundamentally, these domains communicate and exchange information within the domain as well as other domains to execute their intended functions. One example is the grid edge domain in smart grid, where devices at customer premise interact with utility grid as well as electricity market for applications such as demand response and energy trading. Generally, devices in grid edge domain exists independently to perform its specific functions. The information model and communication standards in these devices vary depending on the implementation by its manufacturers. This pose challenges for integration works which may require these devices to exchange information with each other. Therefore, this paper aims to design and proposeamulti-function virtual intelligent electronic device (IED) which capable of performing various applications at grid edge domain. The virtual IED utilizes standardized data model and semantics based on IEC 61850 standard. Information exchange based on IEC 61850 is then simulated between the virtual IED and a Client Simulator. The results indicate successful communication and information exchange based on IEC 61850 standard hence demonstrates the potential applications of the standard for grid edge domain.