The project, which is operated UK-based electricity transmission and distribution network operator SP Energy Networks, aims to design a digital substation scheme in a bid to protect, monitor and control the transmission network in parts of Scotland.
Expected to improve efficiency, safety and system visibility in future-oriented power grid, the digital substation features intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) with integrated information and communication technology.
In addition to ABB, the project partners include GE Grid Solutions, Synaptec and the University of Manchester.
ABB said that the project will assess how digitalized communications can increase controllability and facilitate the integration of irregular renewable within a substation while improving safety by replacing copper cabling with fiber optics.
ABB Power Grids division president Claudio Facchin said: "A key element of our Next Level Strategy is to focus on enabling the automation of the grid in line with our Internet of Things, Services and People approach to help utilities improve reliability and ensure safe and clean energy supply to consumers."
In particular, ABB will provide digital substation components, including IEDs, non-conventional instrument transformers, merging units, and phasor measurement units that are interfaced with the IEC 61850-9-2 process bus architecture and with the wide area monitoring platform.
The project involves installation of fully integrated digital protection and control systems at two bays of the existing Wishaw 275kV substation in Scotland to enable improved system visibility, diagnostics and operation.
SP Energy Networks senior project manager Priyanka Mohapatra said: "SP Energy Networks endeavors to deliver value for money for UK customers through the FITNESS project and bring innovative digital substation solutions that also enable optimization of asset investments.
"We are also expecting a saving in overall substation costs when digital technology is adopted as the UK norm, and a footprint reduction of around 15%."
Additionally, the digital substation will demonstrate the ABB’s technologies interoperability with that of other project partners engineering.
The project is backed by £8.3m funding from the UK Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).
Image: A Scottish wind farm. Photo: courtesy of ABB.
