Smart Substation Control and Protection Facilitating the Virtualization of Multiple Protection and Control

The protection of the power system component is crucial for the healthy and reliable operation of the entire grid. Depending upon the equipment being protected and the type of fault it may encounter, various protection functions are employed. This paper proposes the centralized protection and control (CPC) technique which represents an innovative strategy that consolidates all protection and control functions within a single device at the substation level. The implementation of the CPC strategy eliminates the need for protection relays in each feeder and transformer bay within the substation. This offers the utility the flexibility to optimize space in the control room by reducing the number of control and relay panels required. Moreover, it offers a unified interface for monitoring and controlling power system components. This functionality simplifies the ability to effectively protect and oversee a wide range of utility and industrial applications through a single device, ensuring seamless visibility throughout the entire station. This streamlines engineering tasks and ensures a straightforward and cost-effective process management approach.