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Smart Grid: How Do Intelligent Substations Fit into a Smart Grid?

Adding locally intelligent nodes can create networks that are more efficient and reliable. The smart grid makes use of communications, computing and power electronics to create a system that is self-healing and adaptive. The smart grid is also able to "interact" with end users at the consumer, business and industry level, and can be used to predict and prevent emergencies instead of just waiting around for something bad to happen.

The electric power dispatching control center supervises the grid while the automated management system for transmission and distribution is operating. Decision making and information is handled by the intelligent substation, which reports electric power consumption, operates the switchboard, and gathers information, with decision making sent back to the electric power dispatching control center.

Substation LANs and serial port requirements place heavy demands on the physical and functional reliability of all of the hardware used in the system. The IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 standards define the highest standard of EMI immunity and error free communication requirements for network equipment used in substations. Moxa's substation Ethernet switches and embedded computers are IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 certified, guaranteeing that our products are protected against a variety of environmental factors.

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