ABB has been selected to participate in the FITNESS (“Future Intelligent Transmission NEtwork SubStation”) project of SP Energy Networks, a UK-based electricity transmission and distribution network operator, along with other partners.
ABB will contribute its grid automation technology to this project, which will enable a digital substation scheme to protect, monitor and control the transmission network in parts of Scotland. A digital substation is a key component enabling a smarter grid. Digital communications via fiber optic cables will replace traditional copper connections using analog signals, increasing safety, flexibility and availability, while reducing cost, risk and environmental impact. Digital substations also incorporate Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) with integrated information and communication technology. An IED is a microprocessor-based protection and control device for power equipment, such as circuit breakers, transformers and capacitor banks.
The FITNESS project will see two bays of the existing Wishaw 275-kilovolt substation in Scotland being equipped with new fully integrated digital protection and control systems, which will also enable improved system visibility, diagnostics and operation. This area is of special interest as large quantities of wind power could be integrated into the grid. ABB will deliver a suite of 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.
To read more about the details behind the ABB Digital Substation offering, download the PDF brochure.
