Introduction

The modern electrical grid is rapidly evolving, driven by the increasing complexity of renewable energy integration, the need for enhanced reliability, and the imperative for optimized operational efficiency. At the heart of this transformation lies Automation in Substation & Transmission Systems. Historically, these critical nodes of the power network relied on manual operations, which were slow, prone to human error, and limited in their ability to respond to dynamic grid conditions. Today, advanced automation technologies are revolutionizing these systems, enabling real-time monitoring, intelligent control, and rapid fault isolation without human intervention. This shift significantly improves power quality, reduces outage durations, extends equipment lifespan, and enhances overall grid resilience. Without robust Automation in Substation & Transmission Systems, utilities face immense challenges in managing complex power flows, integrating distributed energy resources, and meeting the escalating demands for a smarter, more adaptive, and self-healing electrical infrastructure. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Automation in Substation & Transmission Systems.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, power system operators, control system specialists, automation technicians, and project managers with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to design, implement, operate, and maintain Automation in Substation & Transmission Systems. Participants will gain a deep understanding of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), explore various communication protocols used in substation automation, learn about sophisticated control strategies, and acquire skills in configuring and testing integrated automation solutions. The course will delve into topics such as IEC 61850 standard for substation communication, Distributed Automation (DA) in transmission networks, fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR), cybersecurity for control systems, and the role of data analytics in optimizing automated operations. By mastering the principles and practical application of Automation in Substation & Transmission Systems, participants will be prepared to enhance grid reliability, improve operational efficiency, minimize downtime, and contribute significantly to building the advanced, resilient power networks of the future.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Engineers (Utility, Consulting, Industrial)
• Power System Protection and Control Engineers
• Substation Design Engineers
• SCADA/DCS Engineers
• Automation and Instrumentation Specialists
• Grid Operators and Dispatchers
• IT/OT Integration Professionals
• Field Service and Commissioning Engineers
• Asset Management Professionals
• Project Managers for Substation Upgrades

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts and drivers for automation in power systems.
• Learn about the architecture and components of substation automation systems.
• Acquire skills in identifying and applying various Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs).
• Comprehend techniques for implementing key communication protocols (e.g., IEC 61850, DNP3).
• Explore strategies for designing and configuring control and interlocking schemes.
• Understand the importance of data acquisition and processing for automated operations.
• Gain insights into distributed automation applications in transmission and distribution.
• Develop a practical understanding of cybersecurity threats and mitigation for automation systems.
• Learn about fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR) techniques.
• Master the principles of engineering and configuring modern substation automation.
• Acquire skills in commissioning and testing automated substation systems.
• Understand the role of automation in smart grid initiatives.
• Explore advanced automation functions such as adaptive relaying and wide-area control.
• Develop proficiency in troubleshooting and maintaining automation systems.
• Prepare to optimize the performance and reliability of substation and transmission networks.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Power System Automation

• Evolution of power system control: from manual to automated.
• Drivers for automation: reliability, efficiency, safety, renewables integration.
• Hierarchical structure of power system control: enterprise, control center, substation, feeder.
• Key benefits of automation in substations and transmission systems.
• Overview of relevant standards and industry trends.

Module 2: Substation Automation System (SAS) Architecture

• Functional levels of SAS: process, bay, station, enterprise.
• Components of a modern SAS: IEDs, communication network, HMI, gateway.
• Role of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs): relays, meters, controllers, RTUs.
• Open vs. proprietary architectures.
• Redundancy considerations for critical SAS components.

Module 3: Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs)

• Types of IEDs and their applications in substations.
• Functions of protection IEDs, control IEDs, and metering IEDs.
• IED hardware and software components.
• Configuration tools and parameter settings for IEDs.
• Remote access and management of IEDs.

Module 4: Communication Protocols in Substation Automation - Part 1 (Legacy & Standard)

• Overview of serial communication (RS-232, RS-485).
• Modbus RTU/TCP and its application.
• DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol) for SCADA communication.
• IEC 60870-5 series for telecontrol.
• Challenges of integrating diverse protocols.

Module 5: Communication Protocols in Substation Automation - Part 2 (IEC 61850)

• Introduction to IEC 61850 standard: benefits, principles, and architecture.
• Abstracting data models (Logical Nodes, Common Data Classes).
• Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messaging for peer-to-peer communication.
• Sampled Values (SV) for merging units and real-time data.
• Configuration tools for IEC 61850 systems (SCL files).

Module 6: Substation Control and Interlocking Schemes

• Basic control functions: open/close circuit breakers, tap changer control.
• Interlocking principles for safe operation and preventing mal-operation.
• Hardwired vs. software-based interlocks.
• Bay control units (BCUs) and station HMI for control.
• Sequence of operation and automation logic.

Module 7: Data Acquisition, Processing, and Human-Machine Interface (HMI)

• Data types in substation automation: analog, digital, pulsed.
• Data acquisition methods from IEDs.
• Data processing: scaling, filtering, validation.
• HMI design principles for operator effectiveness.
• Alarm management and event logging within the SAS.

Module 8: Distributed Automation (DA) in Transmission Systems

• Concept of distributed intelligence in the grid.
• Benefits of DA: improved reliability, efficiency, self-healing capabilities.
• Applications in transmission: WAMPAC (Wide Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control).
• Synchrophasor technology (PMUs) for wide-area monitoring.
• Challenges of implementing DA across large transmission networks.

Module 9: Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR)

• Principles of FLISR in automated systems.
• Detecting faults using IED data.
• Automated isolation of faulty sections.
• Automated service restoration to healthy sections.
• Benefits of FLISR: reduced outage duration, improved SAIDI/SAIFI.

Module 10: Cybersecurity for Automation Systems

• Unique cybersecurity challenges of OT environments in substations.
• Threats and vulnerabilities specific to IEDs, RTUs, and communication networks.
• Defense-in-depth strategies for substation automation security.
• Network segmentation, firewalls, secure remote access.
• Compliance with cybersecurity standards (e.g., IEC 62443, NERC CIP).

Module 11: Engineering and Configuration of Substation Automation Systems

• Requirements specification and functional design.
• Hardware and software selection.
• Network design for communication redundancy and performance.
• Configuration of IEDs, communication parameters, and automation logic.
• System documentation and as-built drawings.

Module 12: Commissioning and Testing of Automation Systems

• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for SAS.
• Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) procedures.
• I/O testing, communication testing, and logic functional testing.
• End-to-end testing of protection and control schemes.
• Troubleshooting common commissioning issues.

Module 13: Maintenance and Life Cycle Management

• Routine maintenance tasks for SAS components.
• Firmware updates and patch management.
• Diagnostic tools for troubleshooting IEDs and communication issues.
• Performance monitoring and optimization of automation systems.
• Lifecycle planning for aging automation infrastructure.

Module 14: Integration with SCADA and Other Enterprise Systems

• Interfacing SAS with centralized SCADA/EMS/DMS.
• Data exchange and information models.
• Role of gateways and communication processors.
• Integrating automation data with asset management and maintenance systems.
• Enhancing operational awareness through integrated platforms.

Module 15: Future Trends in Substation and Transmission Automation

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for enhanced automation.
• Digital Twins for real-time asset monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Virtualization and cloud computing for SAS infrastructure.
• Self-healing grid concepts and autonomous operations.
• Role of renewable energy integration in driving advanced automation needs.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.