The goal of this session is to introduce state-of-the-art current and voltage measurement technologies for use in distribution networks. The standards for products using these technologies have recently been updated, making wider use possible. Furthermore, the protection and control devices that accept inputs from these products have matured and grown in availability. With this, new implementations for protection and control are possible and these lead to equipment architectures with significant safety, sustainability and performance advantages. These advantages will be illustrated with actual cases.

The vPAC Alliance continues to make progress toward its goal of virtualizing automation and control functions in substations and building a solution ecosystem of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), engineering leaders and utilities. This panel presentation, led by Black & Veatch and featuring SRP, Intel, and ABB brings this ecosystem together to provide the latest in developments and progress the alliance has made.

A primary objective of the group is establishing common standards for open, interoperable, and secure software-defined solutions for virtual protective relays (VPR), automation and control. The audience will receive an update on the work being done to establish standards and specifications to develop common industry best practices for effective deployment and operation. The panel presenters will present the latest proof of concepts demonstrating the benefits of software-based solutions, including the need for less hardware equipment, scalability, enhanced performance and optimized operation and maintenance.

Basic guidelines for the preparation of virtual protection and control applications are taking the concept of centralization to another level and are now available to power utilities. With this abstraction from the previously dedicated hardware, there are new factors that the system designer/architect must consider when selecting a supporting virtualization environment (hypervisor) and host server. The skill sets required for initial deployment, testing and commissioning, and maintenance will inevitably cross both Informational and Operational Technologies (IT/OT). However, the benefits available from the platform initiated will bring unique layers of improvement in redundancy mechanisms, operations and asset management, physical safety, standardization, and interoperability.

Renewable generation, particularly solar, is becoming more economical and feasible. With the addition of solar power, many facilities are considering the creation of a microgrid. This poster illustrates considerations regarding electrical controls that relate to the development of a microgrid, providing an overview of common control elements in commercial and industrial power distribution systems and discusses their applicability to use in a microgrid.