Marwa Alawi
OMICRON electronics MEA

Mrs. Nadia Bouslama (OMICRON electronics MEA) and Eng. Angus Kerr (ENOWA-NEOM)

Eng. Waseem Khardawi
Saudi Aramco
 

This presentation discusses the challenges of protecting high-voltage submarine cables in offshore facilities and introduces a time-domain protection technology using Traveling Waves. The presentation will cover the fundamental theory, application, and testing of this innovative approach, highlighting its advantages over traditional frequency-domain methods, including faster and more accurate fault identification and location.

Eng. Michal Wiecha
OMICRON electronics
 

This presentation explores the emerging role of digital twins in power system protection testing, emphasizing the benefits of virtualized system-based testing such as early detection of engineering errors. It also addresses challenges like ensuring accurate replication of device behaviour, building user trust, and industry adoption for future reliability improvements.

Eng. Michal Wiecha
OMICRON electronics
 

This presentation explores the emerging role of digital twins in power system protection testing, emphasizing the benefits of virtualized system-based testing such as early detection of engineering errors. It also addresses challenges like ensuring accurate replication of device behaviour, building user trust, and industry adoption for future reliability improvements.

Eng. Gerd Kaufmann
OMICRON electronics
 

This session presents practical testing approaches for anti-islanding protection in distributed energy resources. It highlights the use of CMCheck RE with the CMC 310 for voltage and frequency protection, and ARCO Control for validating recloser-based anti-islanding functions in MV grids.

Eng. Gerd Kaufmann
OMICRON electronics
 

This session presents practical testing approaches for anti-islanding protection in distributed energy resources. It highlights the use of CMCheck RE with the CMC 310 for voltage and frequency protection, and ARCO Control for validating recloser-based anti-islanding functions in MV grids.
 

Eng. Alexander Dierks
Alectrix (Pty) Ltd.
 

Over the past decades, the advances in digital communications technologies have enabled systems-based protection schemes where microprocessor-based relays can handle real-time measurements from different points of the systems via communication data exchange. Over the years the usage of digital communications for protection schemes such as Line differential (87L) and Busbar differential (87B) has become the conventional way to do protection. However, these schemes have been using proprietary communication protocols to exchange real-time data between the IEDs involved in the scheme. This means that the system owner is always dependent on the same vendor for any system modification or expansion.

The appearance of the IEC61850 Standards and the adoption of the open protocol Sampled Values are game changer in system-based protection schemes since the protocol creates interoperability for real-time measurement data exchange between IEDs from different vendors. However, there are still concerns from the utilities about the usage of multivendor system-based protection schemes for critical applications like busbar differential. This paper presents the experience of a proof of concept of a Multi-vendor Busbar Protection Scheme using IEC 61850 Sampled Values.

Busbar protection schemes protect electrical nodes of power systems. Hence, they have an superior requirement in terms of stability for load and through fault conditions, as well as selective and fast tripping for in zone fault conditions.

When such a busbar protection scheme is using IEC 61850 Sampled Values (SVs), this bring additional challenges from an engineering perspective – especially in a ‘brown field’ environment, where the merging units (MUs) (or LPITs) as well as central unit (CU) are not necessarily from the same vendor. This paper discusses the challenges experienced when configuring and engineering such a multi-vendor busbar protection scheme using SVs.

After the engineering process is completed, thorough testing of both the MUs and CU utilizing the SVs is necessary to prove inter-operability between all MUs and CU. The paper will propose a list of tests to verify compatibility of the various MUs with the busbar protection scheme CU. Anonymized test results will be presented.

Eng. Alexander Dierks
Alectrix (Pty) Ltd.
 

Over the past decades, the advances in digital communications technologies have enabled systems-based protection schemes where microprocessor-based relays can handle real-time measurements from different points of the systems via communication data exchange. Over the years the usage of digital communications for protection schemes such as Line differential (87L) and Busbar differential (87B) has become the conventional way to do protection. However, these schemes have been using proprietary communication protocols to exchange real-time data between the IEDs involved in the scheme. This means that the system owner is always dependent on the same vendor for any system modification or expansion.

The appearance of the IEC61850 Standards and the adoption of the open protocol Sampled Values are game changer in system-based protection schemes since the protocol creates interoperability for real-time measurement data exchange between IEDs from different vendors. However, there are still concerns from the utilities about the usage of multivendor system-based protection schemes for critical applications like busbar differential. This paper presents the experience of a proof of concept of a Multi-vendor Busbar Protection Scheme using IEC 61850 Sampled Values.

Busbar protection schemes protect electrical nodes of power systems. Hence, they have an superior requirement in terms of stability for load and through fault conditions, as well as selective and fast tripping for in zone fault conditions.

When such a busbar protection scheme is using IEC 61850 Sampled Values (SVs), this bring additional challenges from an engineering perspective – especially in a ‘brown field’ environment, where the merging units (MUs) (or LPITs) as well as central unit (CU) are not necessarily from the same vendor. This paper discusses the challenges experienced when configuring and engineering such a multi-vendor busbar protection scheme using SVs.

After the engineering process is completed, thorough testing of both the MUs and CU utilizing the SVs is necessary to prove inter-operability between all MUs and CU. The paper will propose a list of tests to verify compatibility of the various MUs with the busbar protection scheme CU. Anonymized test results will be presented.

Eng. Majida Malki
Quanta Technology
 

With rising renewables, electrification, climate risks, and cyber threats, today’s grid must evolve. Future-proofing means building intelligence, resilience, and flexibility into the system. IEC 61850 is a critical tool—enabling digital substations, real-time communication, and device interoperability—positioning the grid to meet tomorrow’s demands with smarter, faster, and more adaptive infrastructure.

Panel Moderator: David Hart, Quanta Technology

Panel Members:

• Eng. Anilkumar Ravat, Oman Electricity Transmission Company
• Eng. Gerd Kaufmann, OMICRON electronics
• Dr. Juergen Holbach, Quanta Technology
   

This panel will explore various critical aspects of modeling and impact studies for IBR-dominated power systems. Topics to be discussed include modeling challenges, reliability issues, compliance with emerging standards and regulations, protection and control challenges, interconnection requirements for IBR plants, system impact studies, and expected future mandates.

By examining real-world case studies and practical insights, the presenters will share their diverse experiences and expertise in tackling the challenges associated with IBR modeling and impact studies. They will highlight the strategies and innovations necessary to ensure a smooth transition to IBR-dominated power systems, allowing for a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Eng. Mohamed Adly
AtkinsRéalis
 

This session will cover:

• Introduction to HVDC systems (Importance and main features)
• Types of HVDC (two terminal and multi terminal aspects)#
• HVDC protection systems description and protective actions

Eng. Mohamed Adly
AtkinsRéalis

This session will cover:

• Introduction to HVDC systems (Importance and main features)
• Types of HVDC (two terminal and multi terminal aspects)
• HVDC protection systems description and protective actions

Marwa Alawi
OMICRON electronics MEA

Marwa Alawi
OMICRON electronics MEA

Eng. Karlheinz Schwarz
NettedAutomation GmbH
 

IEC 61850 has come a long way since mid-1990. A wide range of applications built with IEC 61850 will act as a game changer for traditional protection, automation, and SCADA products and systems. It aims to provide all parties involved with as much standardized information as possible for power systems.

Eng. Ronny Lehutso
National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)
 

Configuration management in IEC 61850 systems faces challenges such as maintaining consistency across multiple tools and vendors, handling frequent updates to IED files, ensuring version control, and avoiding configuration mismatches. These issues can lead to integration errors, operational delays, and difficulties in troubleshooting and system maintenance.

Eng. Ronny Lehutso
National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)
 

Configuration management in IEC 61850 systems faces challenges such as maintaining consistency across multiple tools and vendors, handling frequent updates to IED files, ensuring version control, and avoiding configuration mismatches. These issues can lead to integration errors, operational delays, and difficulties in troubleshooting and system maintenance.

This session will be broadcasted live from University of Bahrain's campus in Sakhir, Bahrain!

Panel Moderator: Eng. Ahmed El-Hamaky, OMICRON electronics MEA

Panel Members:

• Dr. Fadhel Al Basri, University of Bahrain
• Mr. Mahmood AlHayki, University of Bahrain
• Eng. Mohamed Ebrahim Alsaif, OMICRON electronics MEA

This session will be broadcasted live from University of Bahrain's campus in Sakhir, Bahrain!

Panel Moderator: Eng. Ahmed El-Hamaky, OMICRON electronics MEA

Panel Members:

• Dr. Fadhel Al Basri, University of Bahrain
• Mr. Mahmood AlHayki, University of Bahrain
• Eng. Mohamed Ebrahim Alsaif, OMICRON electronics MEA

Eng. Ahamed Rabbani
Hitachi Energy UAE

Eng. Ahamed Rabbani
Hitachi Energy UAE

Panel Moderator: Eng. Arulraj Irudayasamy, OMICRON electronics MEA

Panel Members:

• Eng. Diego Gasca, OMICRON electronics
• Eng. Frans Shanyata, Namibia Power Corporation (NAM)
• Eng. Kgomotso Manyapetsa, National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)

In this panel discussion, we'll:

• Identify Common Obstacles Faced During the Implementation of Digital Substations
• Share Practical Solutions and Best Practices to Overcome These Challenges
• Innovative Technologies in Digital Substations
• Future Trends and Developments in Digital Substations
   

Eng. Yassine Agouzoul
GE VERNOVA
 

The Digital substation aspect, and how using all its new technologies and concepts we can lead the energy transition and change the traditional concepts implemented in electrical substations. With the Introduction of the most recent and powerful communication protocol IEC61850 and its benefits to help protect, control, and monitor the substation, the power system and overall Grid.

Eng. Yassine Agouzoul
GE VERNOVA

The Digital substation aspect, and how using all its new technologies and concepts we can lead the energy transition and change the traditional concepts implemented in electrical substations. With the Introduction of the most recent and powerful communication protocol IEC61850 and its benefits to help protect, control, and monitor the substation, the power system and overall Grid.

Eng. Stefan Flemming
SIEMENS AG
 

Learn why precise time synchronization in a digital substation is important and why it is beneficial to differentiate between the various applications that require time synchronization and the advantages of such an approach. What possibilities does Omicron Test Universe offer for testing systems with different time synchronization concepts.

Eng. Stefan Flemming
SIEMENS AG
 

Learn why precise time synchronization in a digital substation is important and why it is beneficial to differentiate between the various applications that require time synchronization and the advantages of such an approach. What possibilities does Omicron Test Universe offer for testing systems with different time synchronization concepts.

Mrs. Nadia Bouslama and Ms. Marwa Alawi 
OMICRON electronics