Projects

Completed

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 July 2025

31 March 2026

ENA months

£60,350

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Basic Application Profiles (BAPs) have been released into the IEC61850 standard in the last couple of years. (First as a technical report, and now as a part of the norm.) Their goal is to be able to specify the workings of a substation in more detail. Up to now, they have only been defined with text and logical elements. Translating the BAPs into the machine readable SCL language would allow for a higher degree of automation. The method selected for this project is to use the Helinks STS tool, that is able to efficiently build and combine SCL files and to define different BAPs in the tool. The resulting SCD files shall be tested on a proprietary software for compatibility. Additionally further automation is introduced by creating the capability to automatically select the BAP templates for specific substation designs based on a smart tool implementing engineering policy and standards.Data Quality Statement (DQS):?The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with OFGEM, ENA?and NGGT / NGET internal policy. Data produced as part of this project will be?subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each?deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information?are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored?on our internal?sharepoint?platform ensuring access control, backup and version?management. Relevant project documentation and reports will also be made?available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal and dissemination material will be?shared with the relevant stakeholders.??Measurement Quality Statement (MQS):??The methodology used in this project will be subject to our suppliers own quality?assurance regime. Quality assurance processes and?the source of data, measurement processes and equipment as well as data?processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs?and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant?deliverables and final project report and will be made available for review.Add any certifications or other processes if knownIn line with the ENA's ENIP document, the risk rating is scored low/medium/high (delete as appropriate).TRL Steps = 1 (2 TRL steps)Cost = 1 (60,350k)Suppliers = 1 (1 supplier)Data Assumption = 1 (data supplied by suppliers for analysis) The scope of the project focuses on addressing the challenges faced by National Grid in efficiently engineering substations due to the absence of standardized templates that align with the new IEC61850 technical reports 90-30 and 7-6. The project aims to explore and test Basic Application Profiles (BAPs) to enhance the specification of substation operations. This will involve developing machine-readable BAP templates in SCL (Substation Configuration Language) format, which will facilitate a higher degree of automation in the engineering process.Additionally, the project will implement the Helinks STS tool to efficiently build and combine SCL files while defining different BAPs. The resulting SCD (Substation Configuration Description) files will undergo compatibility testing with proprietary software to ensure they meet operational requirements. Further automation will be added to the engineering process as part of smart tools to select the required BAPs for any given substation design based on engineering policy and standards.Throughout the project, documentation of methodologies, learnings, and outcomes will be essential forfuture reference, and the project will ensure compliance with relevant regulatory standards while promoting collaboration among engineering teams and stakeholders. Standardization and Automation: Develop standardized engineering templates aligned with IEC61850 technical reports and translate Basic Application Profiles (BAPs) into machine-readable SCL format to enhance automation in substation engineering.Tool Implementation and Testing: Utilize the Helinks STS tool to efficiently build and manage SCL files, and conduct compatibility testing of the resulting SCD files on proprietary software to ensure seamless integration. Trial of smart tools that will provide further automation and reduce engineering work.Knowledge Sharing and Compliance: Capture and document learnings throughout the project to inform future initiatives, while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and promoting collaboration among engineering teams and stakeholders.

The project addresses National Grid's challenges in efficiently engineering substations due to the absence of standardized templates aligned with IEC61850 technical reports 90-30 and 7-6, along with limited experience with Basic Application Profiles (BAPs). By exploring and testing BAP concepts, the project aims to develop machine-readable BAP templates in SCL format, enhancing substation engineering efficiency and reliability while integrating advanced technologies. A key innovation is a smart interface that enables users to select appropriate BAPs for specific substation designs. Utilizing the Helinks STS tool, the project will automate the creation and integration of these templates, modernizing energy infrastructure and supporting a more resilient and sustainable energy system. Successful execution could set a benchmark for future engineering practices within National Grid and the industry.

24/04/26