Trends in protection and substation automation systems and feed-backs from CIGRE activities

The profitability pressure on utilities as a consequence of market liberalization and other influences is leading to the reconsideration of the entire secondary technology inside the substation. Possible synergies between protection, control and monitoring have to be considered. At the same time, assets have to be used in a more efficient and profitable way and an increased security of energy delivery is required. This is mainly due to the rising costs of non-delivery of electrical energy as well as the negative impacts of blackouts, but also to consumer demands and public opinion. The contribution addresses some feed-backs from CIGRE activities (study committee B5 of CIGRE in charge of protection and automation) and summarises the possible levels of integration, various standardization aspects (mainly IEC 61850).