VirtualSubstation: An IEC 61850 framework for a Containernet based virtual substation

Abstract

Our already presented co-simulation, consisting of a real-time power grid simulation and a virtualization of the communication infrastructure, enables a joint and holistic view of the two subsystems. If the IEC 61850 communication standard is used throughout, a substation can be completely described in terms of network technology in their defined substation configuration language (SCL). Our framework presented here enables the automated initialization of the virtual network and its transfer to co-simulation. The complete mapping of different IEC 61850 communication services generates a complete, process-relevant database of network traffic. For purpose of our co-simulation approach, with coupling on the process bus, the focus lies on the IEC 61850-8-1 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) and Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) communication and the relations between initialized Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). Based exclusively on IEC 61850 substation configuration descriptions (SCD), the framework enables this implementation of a simplified static communication network using network virtualization. All consisting Access points with underlying IEDs, Logical Devices, Logical Nodes and Data Objects are specified and used to rebuild an existing IEC 61850 communication infrastructure and initialize the relevant communication services. The research shows the possibilities and limitations of the automated generation of the network for use in co-simulation.