ScottishPower Power Systems: integration of protection and control equipment-experience to date

ScottishPower plc is a vertically integrated electricity supply utility responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in central and southern Scotland as well as the Manweb network covering Merseyside and North Wales. Power Systems are responsible for both the transmission and distribution network; this includes the specification and application of protection, control and communications systems for the LV system up to and including 400 kV. Modern protection and control equipment is able to offer more functionality in single equipment than traditional stand-alone devices. The developments in this area seem to be more supplier led than from customer demand. While it is accepted that benefits can be achieved through adopting more functionality in single equipment the development of an integration strategy must be addressed if the systems are to be adequately managed into the utilities internal procedures. The issue of integration of protection and control facilities is being assessed through two projects, one at transmission sites, and the other at distribution. This paper describes these two projects; it details the benefits, which have been achieved through integration, and describes a number of issues that should be addressed when applying modern technology in this area.