IndiGrid’s innovative approach to substation efficiency and maintenance

Innovations in substation automation are enhancing efficiency and reliability, aligning with global standards.

Evolution of Substation Automation Systems to International Standards

Protection management and asset management are crucial aspects of substation planning and design. Power substation advancement is a crucial aspect of substation planning and design, and Sub-station is a node where power comes in and goes out. The most important and costliest equipments in substations  are transformers and reactors. Recent advancements include, dissolved gas analysis, and an online drying-out system.

Transformative Communication Technologies within Substations

Another significant technology in substations is the FO temperature sensor, which uses fibre optic sensors to measure the temperature of a winding directly. This technology is particularly relevant to transformers and reactors.

Sub-station Automation System

Developing software with a better user interface is challenging for electrical engineers. The introduction of 61850 standard by IEC in the 2003 led to the commissioning of India’s first substation automation system based on this 61850 in 2007. This system addressed the major interoperability challenge, allowing manufacturers to communicate with or talk to devices belonging to another manufacturer.

Emerging Technologies: Single Device Substations and Mobile

 Substation planning, protection management, and asset management are essential components in ensuring the safety and efficiency of power substations. The substation-level automation system has evolved according to international standards, with the first process bus substation being built at 765KV voltage level. The process bus technology allowing data from switch gears to come directly from fibre inside the substation. This technology is also taken care of by IEC 61850-9-2LE.

The communication within the substation has been transformed at both the process and feature levels, with devices communicating through the fibre ring. Various utilities in India and other countries are using this technology.

IndiGrid’s Comprehensive Solution for Substation Efficiency

After commissioning, asset management is another crucial aspect of substation design and planning. Major transmission utilities in India have control rooms, where the entire asset portfolio is controlled, ensuring seamless coordination and addressing communication issues between sub-stations. Remote accessibility systems (RAS) are also being implemented to improve the efficiency and safety of the substation system.

Asset Management in Substation Design and Planning

IndiGrid is a leading utility that focuses on enhancing the efficiency of its transmission line by providing a comprehensive view of the entire substation’s devices. This includes an automatic fault analysis system that detects abnormal situations in the transmission line and substation devices. The system uses pre-return programs to analyse faults and provide findings, allowing utilities to tune their systems better.

Augmented Reality and Expert Support in Maintenance

Additionally, IndiGrid has web-based portals that offer a bird’s-eye view for management and detailed information for maintenance personnel. These portals provide real-time health assessments of transformers, reactors, and switchyard equipment. The company’s approach to augmented reality is particularly innovative, as current expertise is limited and finding an expert workforce is challenging for various reasons. Instead, a pool of experts sits at a central location, assisting site engineers and maintenance personnel in all maintenance and troubleshooting aspects.

Spokesperson: Mahendra Singh Hada, Head-substations  IndiGrid.