Transmission & Distribution Technology


interoperability at the network and transport layers, thus allowing vendors to select and incorporate standardised components like Ethernet or Wi-Fi into their systems. Tese components can be plugged into the existing infrastructure that is already connecting parts of the Smart Grid ecosystem. Systems and devices can then build application-level requirements on top of these layers, specifying the data and structures that will be exchanged.


Protocol requirements Te power, building automation, and manufacturing markets are not new to creating application-level protocol requirements. For example, the power industry utilises distributed network protocol (DNP3) heavily in process automation for electric utilities in North America. Built on top of the Internet Protocols, DNP3 supports two-way communications for exchanging information between control centres, remote terminal units (RTU), and intelligent electronic devices (IED). It can also operate over IP and Ethernet networks. Te content is not modified during transfer, but changes how it operates during transport to allow existing DNP3 serial devices to work seamlessly over the same network. Tis flexibility reduces the need to buy new


devices when switching from serial to ethernet networks. Te


IEC 61850 protocol adopted by the power industry in Europe has similar characteristics and


Fig. 2. The IEC 61850 protocol adopted by the power industry in Europe has similar characteristics and functionality as DNP3.


functionality as DNP3. Although there are other protocols being used in electric systems, these two technologies are the most


established and relevant in evolving the existing infrastructure into tomorrow’s grid. Tere are established protocols in the building automation market, as well. One such standard is BACnet, which is used in heating, ventilation, and


air conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting, security, and fire detection applications. It supports two-way communications, has built-in plug-and-play capabilities, and defines a security model for user and message authentication and encryption. In order to turn a building into a smarter building, the existing control and automation systems must interoperate with the smart grid. In the manufacturing industry, automation reduces human error and efficiently produces high-quality goods. It also consumes large amounts of energy, with typical manufacturing processes running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Facilities contain many sub-systems and components that are often procured from different vendors at different times. Each component utilizes its own protocol (open or proprietary), much like the different components in a Smart Grid. To achieve interoperability, the manufacturing


industry collaborated and created the open connectivity (OPC) standard. OPC is an abstraction layer between the different components and their underlying protocols. OPC unified architecture (UA) is the newest version that is built on top of the Internet Protocols and provides secure and reliable communications between endpoints. It functions as the glue for industrial automation, where application- based gateways transform OPC requests into the appropriate underlying device-level protocols. Tis technology allows proprietary-based systems to be retrofitted into a more open-based system, thus enabling parties to communicate, share data, and make intelligent real-time automated decisions. Te success of interoperability in the manufacturing


industry is a lesson for the power market. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), DNP3 is one of the standards needed to support an interoperable power infrastructure. NIST calls DNP3 a new IEEE standard: its synergistic relationship with IEC 61850 will help support greater connectivity within power infrastructures, saving utility customers time and expense. It stands to reason that the power, building automation, and manufacturing markets’ standards and protocols will be closely evaluated as the smart grid is built. Tese three industries constitute a large part of the smart grid ecosystem through energy generation, distribution, transmission, and consumption. Applying existing protocols and building interoperable gateways will accelerate the creation and adoption of the new smart grid by leveraging new technology with proven connectivity and reducing expenses in national and global markets. ●


For more information ✔ at www.engineerlive.com/ipe


Tony Paine is President and CEO, Kepware Technologies, Portland, Maine, USA. www.kepware.com


www.engineerlive.com 17


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