New Generation of Cellular Network for Power Systems Protection

In this paper, A solution is introduced for improvement of communications in protection systems for the substations, dispatching organizations in order to establish a comprehensive overview over new telecommunication platforms such as the third and the fourth generations of cellular communication and their applications in power systems. This approach can be applied either to the existing or the new protection systems, aiming to transform more efficient, stable and economical means of communications architecture with user-centric perspectives. Given the importance of the network development plans in smart grid, there has been a huge expansion of communication and protection equipment such as Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) and relays with remote access capability. These devices require low cost, secure, flexible, expandable, reliable, and accessible telecommunication platforms with high speed and broad bandwidth, designed and implemented according to the standards so that a high quality and reliable electricity can be delivered to the consumers. The proposed communication solution is taking advantage of the oldest backbones using DOC (Data Over Call) systems, the latest advanced infrastructures implemented in the country, TD-LTE (Time Division Duplexing LTE), able to be carried out throughout all areas. Regarding the intercommunication of protection systems by means of the IEC60870-5-103 protocol, which requires 2 KB data transaction per exchange, the presented solutions can be efficiently implemented with minimum hardware alterations.