The Role of Utility Communications in a Deregulated Environment

Data Communications has always played an important role in the operation of the utility system from high-speed relay communications to the recent expansion in “intercontrol center” data sharing. The increasing incorporation of digital devices throughout the utility enterprise as well as the forces of deregulation are driving utility communications into new realms with new requirements and paradigms. This paper examines the communication issues in the Independent System Operator (ISO) environment including inter ISO communication of status data, accounting issues, and power system control. Solutions to these issues from a system protection / Intelligent Electronic Device perspective are examined. In particular, this paper examines the next generation protection communications that will be available shortly and its effect on next generation SCADA. Communication in the realm of power system control will also be examined and the communication infrastructure required to achieve such is discussed. Deregulated Utility Communication Requirements The trend toward electric utility deregulation is moving full speed ahead throughout the world. As a result, the integration, consolidation, and dissemination of information both inter and intra utilities has become a critical piece of the deregulation picture. Information traditionally used only within a given utility now becomes desired by many players. The general trend in the industry has been toward the use of the Internet for the transfer of data such as: • Available Transmission Capacity • Rate Schedules • Scheduling (especially inter-company) • Operating Constraints • Interruption Criteria Beyond data sharing, new mandates are being places on the transmission and distribution utilities to minimize outage times, provide rate alternatives (for example, through Demand Side Management), maintain operating data archives, and in general, push more power through existing power lines.