Utilities and Transportation
Glossary
Utility Terms
General
Transmission
System Operator
(TSO)
A Utility handling the transport of energy for a country generally on electrical High
Voltage (HV) line above 220 kV (kiloVolts) . A TSO is also responsible for the
exchange of energy between countries . They interconnect their network to a large
power producer (nuclear power plant, large hydro dam, large fuel power station) or
DSO. In EU, a TSO may not be also a power producer.
Distribution
System Operator
(DSO)
A Utility handling the distribution of energy for a part of a country or a region
generally on a Medium Voltage (MV) electric line below 220 kV. DSOs interconnect
to TSOs and small power producers. A DSO can also be a power producer.
Automation
Substation
Automation
Systems
All equipment that can be found in a substation control room, such as protection
relays to protect the lines against fault or RTUs (Remote Terminal Unit) allowing
substation measures to be sent to SCADA
SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a common process control
application that collects data from sensors on the shop floor or in remote locations
and sends them to the control center central computer for management and control
Energy
Monitoring
System (EMS)
A set of tools located in several (at least 2) control centers (also called dispatch
centers) used by TSOs to manage the energy flow and balance the network load and
production . This is a complete set of software tools that includes also a trading
module to optimize energy cost. Main EMS vendors are Alstom Grid, ABB, Siemens,
GE, OSI. The life cycle is around 7 years. DMS is the same as EMS but for DSOs. Main
DMS vendors are Alstom Grid, ABB, Siemens, OSI, GE.
Remote
Terminal Unit
(RTU)
An industrial data collection device typically located at a remote location,
communicates data to a host system by using telemetry (such as radio, dial-up
telephone, or leased lines).
Utility Terms
SCADA Protocols
Distributed
Network
Protocol (DNP3)
A set of communications protocols used between components in process
automation systems. Its main use is in utilities such as electric and water companies.
Modbus
A serial communications protocol originally published by Modicon (now Schneider
Electric) in 1979 for use with its programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Modbus
allows for communication between many (approximately 240) devices connected to
the same network, for example a system that measures temperature and humidity
and communicates the results to a computer.
IEC 60870-5-101
(IEC 101)
IEC 101 is a standard for power system monitoring, control & associated
communications for telecontrol, teleprotection, and associated telecommunications
for electric power systems. This is completely compatible with IEC 60870-5-1 to IEC
60870-5-5 standards and uses standard asynchronous serial telecontrol channel
interface between DTE and DCE. The standard is suitable for multiple configurations
like point-to-point, star, mutidropped, etc.
IEC 60870-5-104
(IEC 104)
IEC 104 protocol is an extension of IEC 101 with changes in transport, network, link &
physical layer services to suit the complete network access. The standard uses an
open TCP/IP interface to network for connectivity to the LAN (Local Area Network).
Routers can be used to connect to the WAN. The application layer of IEC 104 is
preserved like that of IEC 101, with some of the data types and facilities not used.
IEC-61850
A standard for the design of electrical substation automation. IEC-61850 is a part of
the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) Technical Committee 57
reference architecture for electric power systems. The abstract data models defined
in IEC-61850 can be mapped to a number of protocols. Current mappings in the
standard are to MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification), GOOSE, and soon to
Web services. These protocols can run over TCP/IP networks or substation LANs
using high speed switched Ethernet to obtain the necessary response times below
four milliseconds for protective relaying.
Teleprotection
Teleprotection
Protection schemes for devices, formed by a number of relays located remotely from
each other, and some distance protection schemes, requiring some form of
communication between each location in order to achieve a unit protection
function. This form of communication is known as protection signaling or
teleprotection. Additional communications facilities are also required when remote
operation of a circuit breaker is required as a result of a local event. This form of
communications is known as inter-tripping.
Distance
Protection
Trips breakers when impedance measurements vary from those taken under normal
conditions. Traditionally, no communication was required. Pilot-aided distance relays
use a communication channel to improve fault clearance. Distance protection can be
used in T line (3 end configuration)
Differential
Disconnects faulty line segments if differential current measurements on both ends
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Utility Terms
Protection
of the protection zone are higher than a set point. Requires communication between
the end-point relays installed at both ends
Intelligent
Electronic Device
(IED)
Controllers of power system equipment, such as circuit breakers, transformers, and
capacitor banks. IEDs receive data from sensors and power equipment, and can issue
control commands such as tripping circuit breakers if they sense voltage, current, or
frequency anomalies, or raise/lower voltage levels in order to maintain the desired
level. Common types of IEDs include protective relaying devices, On Load Tap
Changer controllers, circuit breaker controllers, capacitor bank switches, recloser
controllers, voltage regulators, etc.
Cyber Security
North American
Electric
Reliability
Corporation
(NERC)
A nonprofit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, formed on March 28, 2006, as the
successor to the North American Electric Reliability Council (also known as NERC).
The original NERC was formed on June 1, 1968, by the electric utility industry to
promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power transmission in the electric
utility systems of North America. NERC's mission states that it is to "ensure the
reliability of the North American bulk power system." NERC's major responsibilities
include working with all stakeholders to develop standards for power system
operation, monitoring and enforcing compliance with those standards, assessing
resource adequacy, and providing educational and training resources as part of an
accreditation program to ensure power system operators remain qualified and
proficient. NERC also investigates and analyzes the causes of significant power
system disturbances in order to help prevent future events.
NERC-CIP
The NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) plan is a set of requirements
designed to secure the assets required for operating North America's bulk electric
system.
The NERC CIP plan consists of 9 standards and 45 requirements covering the security
of electronic perimeters and the protection of critical cyber assets as well as
personnel and training, security management and disaster recovery planning.
General Terms
Alternative Fuels
Solid fuels such as municipal solid waste (MSW), refuse derived fuel (RDF), biomass,
rubber tires, and other combustibles that are used instead of fossil fuels (gas, oil, or
coal) in a boiler to produce steam for the generation of electrical energy.
Automatic Circuit A self-controlled device for interrupting and re-closing an alternating current circuit
Re-Closer
with a predetermined sequence of opening and re-closing followed by resetting,
hold-closed, or lockout operation.
Batteries
Used in the substation control house as a backup to power control
systems in case of a power blackout.
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Utility Terms
Central Power
The generation of electricity in large power plants with distribution through a
network of transmission lines (grid) for sale to a number of users. Opposite of
distributed power.
Circuit Switchers
An operation in which a circuit breaker and disconnector de-energize a
line (circuit breaker action) and then redirect the energy flow by
moving the disconnector. The appropriate circuit breaker is then
closed to let energy through the new direction.
Circuit switchers are a set of switches for redirecting current in a substation. Circuit
switchers provide equipment protection for transformers, lines, cables, and
capacitor banks. They also are used to energize and de-energize capacitor banks and
other circuits.
Coaxial Cable
A high-band width cable consisting of two concentric cylindrical conductors with a
common axis that is used for high-speed data communication and video signals.
Control House
The substation control house contains switchboard panels, batteries,
battery chargers, supervisory control, power-line carrier, meters, and
relays. The control house provides all-weather protection and security
for the control equipment. It is also called a doghouse.
Depending on the size of a distribution substation in TSO, the control house may
only accommodate protection relays.
Control Panels
Control panels contain meters, control switches and recorders located in
the control building, also called a doghouse. These are used to control the
substation equipment, to send power from one circuit to another or to
open or shut down circuits when needed.
Distribution
Transformers
Reduce the voltage of the primary circuit to the voltage required by
customers.
Electrical Grid
An integrated system of electricity distribution, usually covering a large area.
Electric Utility
An organization responsible for the installation, operation, or maintenance of an
electric supply system.
EMC
Electromagnetic compatibility
EMI
Electromagnetic interference
Greenhouse
Effect
The effect of the Earth's atmosphere, due to certain gases, in trapping heat from the
sun; the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse.
Greenhouse
Gases
Gases that trap the heat of the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, producing the
greenhouse effect; the two major greenhouse gases are water vapor and carbon
dioxide; lesser greenhouse gases include methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, and
nitrogen oxides.
Microwave
Substations commonly use microwave communication equipment for
communication with local and regional electric power system control
centers. This system allows for rapid communication and signaling for
controlling the routing of power.
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Utility Terms
Power
Generation
Plants
A facility designed to produce electric energy from another form of
energy, such as fossil fuel, nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar
thermal, and wind.
Power Line
Carrier
A device for producing radio-frequency power for transmission on power
lines.
Power
Transformers
Device raising or lowering voltage as needed to serve the transmission
or distribution circuits.
Relays
A low-powered device used to activate a high-powered device. Relays
are used to trigger circuit breakers and other switches in substations
and transmission and distribution systems.
Substations
A high-voltage electric system facility. It is used to switch generators,
equipment, and circuits or lines in and out of a system. It also is used to
change AC voltages from one level to another, and/or change
alternating current to direct current or direct current to alternating current
Step-Up
Transmission
Substation
Receives electric power from a nearby generating facility and uses a
large power transformer to increase the voltage for transmission to
distant locations
Step-down
Transmission
Substation
Located at switching points in an electrical grid. They connect different
parts of a grid and are a source for subtransmission lines.
Distribution
Substation
Located near end-users. Distribution substation transformers change
the subtransmission voltage to lower levels for use by end-users.
Underground
Distribution
Substation
Located near end-users. Distribution substation transformers change
the sub-transmission voltage to lower levels for use by end-users.
Supervisory
Control
Equipment that allows for remote control of a substation's functions
from a system control center or other point of control.
Transformer
Converts the generator's low-voltage electricity to higher voltage levels for
transmission to the load center, such as a city or factory.
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Utility Terms
High Voltage
Protection
Services provided on facilities that extend into high voltage environments, i.e.,
electric power generating, switching and distributing locations. These services
require high voltage protection whenever hazardous voltages of 1000V peakasymmetrical or greater appear on those facilities due to Ground Potential Rise
(GPR) and/or induction caused by faults in the utility's electric power system. Special
High Voltage Protection is designed to isolate or neutralize hazardous voltages. The
protection objectives on telecom services and facilities at these locations are as
follows:
• To minimize electrical hazards to personnel engaged in construction, operation,
maintenance and use of telecommunications services.
• To limit electrical damage to telecommunications equipment, cable and wire
facilities.
• To provide the required service continuity and integrity of telecommunication
transmission.
Synchrophasor
Precise grid measurement or synchronized phasor that delivers real-time data about
the power system. The information is obtained from monitors called PMUs (Phasor
Measurement Units). Aggregating this time‐stamped or synchronized data is useful
for delivering a comprehensive view of an interconnected system. These
measurements are used for wide area management of grid operations.
Smart Grid
Bi-directional electric grids and communication networks that improve the
reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric system for small-to-large-scale
generation, transmission, distribution, storage, and consumption.
Include software and hardware applications for dynamic, integrated, and
interoperable optimization of electric system operations, maintenance, and
planning; distributed energy resources interconnection and integration; and
feedback and controls at the consumer level.
The DOE (Department of Energy) identifies several characteristics of an electric
Smart Grid:
• Self-heals from power disturbance events
• Enables active participation by consumers in DR (demand response)
• Operates resiliently against physical and cyber attack
• Provides power quality for 21st century needs
• Accommodates all generation and storage options
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Utility Terms
Optical Ground
Wire (OPGW)
A type of cable that is used in the construction of electric power transmission and
distribution lines. Such cables combine the functions of grounding and
communications. An OPGW cable contains a tubular structure with one or more
optical fibers in it, surrounded by layers of steel and aluminum wire. The OPGW
cable is run between the tops of high-voltage electricity pylons. The optical fibers
within the cable can be used for
high-speed transmission of data,
either for the electrical utility's
own purposes of protection and
control of the transmission line,
for the utility's own voice and
data communication, or may be
leased or sold to third parties to
serve as a high-speed fiber
interconnection between cities.
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Utility Terms
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RAD Data Communications Ltd. http://www.rad.com
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