A recent survey conducted by Phoenix Forums reveals that many European utilities are currently preparing to make significant investment in next generation digital substation technologies.
But with a plethora of products on the market promising simplified yet flexible system architectures, advanced smart grid functionalities, and robust cyber security capabilities, selecting the right solution to meet immediate grid development needs as well as long term lifecycle objectives is no easy task.
“Most utilities are focused on efficiency right now, both in terms of cost and the implementation process” says Mandana White, Director at Phoenix Forums, organisers of IntelliSub Europe 2018. “Many existing substations are in urgent need of refurbishment and expansion to support more rapid renewables integration among other priorities. Next generation digital substation systems promise speedy implementation, greater visibility of the end to end grid, better real-time control functionality, higher volume data processing capability, and robust cyber-security. The utilities we have spoken to are compelled by these offerings and are ready to fully investigate the potential of these new systems.”
And it was with this in mind that Phoenix Forums has re-launched IntelliSub Europe 2018, a 3-day conference, exhibition and networking forum that enables TSOs and DSOs to fully assess the potential of digital substation systems for their specific grid environment.
The main conference takes place on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th April 2018, and focuses on the investment drivers, system architectures, functionalities, implementation, operation and maintenance considerations, in the context of the evolving IoT landscape, cloud based services, and self-learning self-healing technologies. It provides a great opportunity for substation asset management, engineering, operations & maintenance, and R&D colleagues to come together and assess the potential of these new systems both from an investment and technical implementation perspective.
The third day, Thursday 12th April 2018, deep-dives into the cyber-physical security considerations for next generation digital substations, and uncovers advanced prevention, detection, response and recovery strategies to better protect substations and related assets. This separately bookable day enables IT and OT colleagues to come together on a shared knowledge platform and exchange ideas and expertise to more rapidly drive their cyber-physical security strategies to the next level.
Anne van der Molen, Expert, Asset Management, Grid Strategy at Stedin who contributed to the programme research explains: “We have many automated substations but not all have been digitised with the latest generation equipment. As older equipment is reaching end of life, a lot of refurbishment is going on in our company right now. A dedicated conference on digital substations will help us fully consider the rationale for substation digitisation, allowing us to better establish the business needs and requirements before making our investment decisions but also to find ways to reduce cost and improve efficiency in projects and substation maintenance.”
Michael Knuchel, Project Manager, SAS at Swissgrid says: “We are in dire need of replacing our substations, all of which are already automated. We need to know what new technology developments and product offerings there are, so we can create a system model that can be rolled out in high volume, 15 substations at a time.”
Bastian Fischer, CEO of Locamation, a leading provider of next generation digital substation systems says: “Only a few utilities have embraced a comprehensive digital architecture so far, where the substation is fully software defined, fully configurable and data-rich by design. Utilities are looking for simplification, longer life cycles, lower cost, and reliability, but also for actionable insights and continuously improving assets. We believe we have a solution that meets today’s requirements and tomorrow’s innovations, and we look forward to sharing our approach with them at IntelliSub Europe 2018”.
Discussion topics include:
- Digital Substation Investment – establishing the drivers for investment and creating a business case that wins rapid board approval for the adoption of next generation substation technologies in TSO and DSO environments
- System Design & Architecture – creating a robust specification, design, and implementation plan that fully leverages next generation systems, components, functionalities and cyber-security to effectively support the evolving grid
- Interoperability & IEC 61850 – leveraging advanced configuration and testing tools to ensure speed of implementation for multi-vendor digital substation systems utilising IEC 61850 and other interoperability protocols
- Operation & Maintenance – utilising the advanced data processing capability of digital substations to enhance monitoring, control, protection, predictive and condition based maintenance for next generation digital substation systems
- Future Proofing – creating a robust roadmap for integrating digital substations with IoT, cloud services, self-learning technologies to manage the migration towards the self-healing network
- Cyber-Security – utilising advanced prevention, detection, recovery and response strategies to fully protect digital substations on an integrated cyber-physical security basis, and guard again emerging threats
- Workforce Development – upskilling IT, OT and mobile maintenance teams to effectively manage the operational and maintenance complexities of digital substations
Speakers include:
Pablo Humeres Flores, Head of the Digital Supervision and Substation Automation Sector, Eletrosul Brazil
Michael Rotzinger, SAS Project Manager Substation Automation Technology, Swissgrid
Nargis Shabbir Hurzuk, Engineer, Statnett
Ernst Wierenga, Technologist Protection, Control and Telecommunication, Tennet
David MacDonald, System Monitoring Lead Engineer, Iberdrola
Anders Johnsson, Power System Specialist, Vattenfall Distribution Nordic
Dirk Costrop, Head of Measurement and Communication Technology, Eandis
Carlos Cândido, Distribution Automation Expert, EDP Distribuição
Paulo Santos, Substation Automation Expert, EDP Distribuição
Alvar Suun, Chief Specialist, Network Technology Development, Elektrilevi OÜ
Slawomir Noske, Senior Smart Grid Engineer, ENERGA-OPERATOR
René Troost, AM Grid Strategist, Stedin
Mika Loukkalahti, System Manager, Electric Power Systems, Helen Electricity Networks
Joost van Gemeren, Head of Engineering Department, Joulz
Stefan Meier, Product Manager, ABB
Prof Antonello Monti, Director of the Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, E.ON Energy Research Centre, RWTH Aachen University
Mark Ossel, Vice President, Networked Energy Services Corporation and Board member OSGP Alliance, OSGP
Jeroen Fidder, Smart Grid Management Consultant, Accenture
Elisa Costante, Head of Research, SecurityMatters, BV
Testimonials from past events include:
“The exchange with experts provided new inputs, and allowed for a reflection of new ideas. SGTech Europe 2017 proved once more to be invaluable.”
Michael Knuchel, Project Manager – Swissgrid
@IntelliSub Europe 2017
“Great opportunity to share views and get in touch with what´s going on in the world of Substation Automation.”
Jose Manuel Roca Veleiro, Head of Department, Protection & Telecontrol – Gas Natural Fenosa
@IntelliSub Europe 2015
“A very informative and entertaining event. Good networking opportunities”
Ray Zhang, Technical Leader, Protection, Control & Automation – National Grid
@IntelliSub Europe 2013
“IntelliSub is like a good wine, it gets better year by year”
David Valmacco, Technical Expert – Tecteo RESA
@IntelliSub Europe 2013
“Large diversity of subjects presented regarding intelligent substations, which gave me a more concrete image of future smart grids than I have previously seen”
Alexander Schouwenaar, Data Scientist – Enexis
@IntelliSub Europe 2012
Event dates and location:
- Conference: 10th to 11th April 2018
- Cyber-Security Workshop: 12th April 2018
- Location: Düsseldorf
- Event website: intellisub-europe.com
For more information, interview and media accreditation:
Mandana White, Director – Phoenix Forums Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20 8349 6360
Email: [email protected]
Phoenix Forums is an independent conference producer specialised in the smart grid sector. We work hand in hand with engineering professionals to create innovative event concepts and high-quality programmes that inform technical decision makers and enable them to deliver exceptional results.
Our approach is entirely market led. We stay exceptionally close to industry developments. Through our regular, rigorous and unbiased process of depth research with TSOs, DSOs, power generators, engineering consultancies, and technology innovators, we stay one step ahead of industry developments and provide live events that act as a catalyst for new ideas, new directions, and new approaches to achieving future energy security.
Phoenix Forums Ltd
Central House
1 Ballards Lane
London, N3 1LQ.
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 8349 6360
Email: [email protected]
