ABSTRACT
Modern electric power systems have been dubbed “the largest machine made by mankind” because they are both physically large—literally thousands of miles in dimension—and operate in precise synchronism. In North America, for example, the entire West Coast, everything east of the Rocky Mountains, and the state of Texas operate as three autonomous interconnected “machines.” The task of keeping such a large machine functioning without breaking itself apart is not trivial. The fact that power systems work as reliably as they do is a tribute to the level of sophistication that is built into them. Substation communication plays a vital role in power system operation. This chapter provides a brief historical overview of substation communication, followed by sections that
Review functional and communication requirements
Examine the components of both traditional and emerging supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems
Review the characteristics of past, present, and future substation communication protocols
Review the role of standards for substation communication
Discuss the electromagnetic environment which substation communication devices must withstand
Discuss security aspects of substation communications
Discuss communication media options for substation communications
