Greentech Lead Europe: Cisco and Alstom Grid have signed a commercial
and technology agreement to develop the next generation of digital substation
solutions that support the electric grid modernization efforts.
The combined solution leverages Alstom’s smart grid
expertise in digital substation solutions with Cisco’s leadership in connected
grid solutions and Internet Protocol (IP) communication technologies. It
combines Cisco’s ruggedized substation-grade Connected Grid routers and
switches with communications and cyber-security functions along with Alstom’s
cutting edge DS Agile control system for substation automation to offer a new
level of IP-based communication performance for integrated cyber security,
distributed monitoring and controls.
Electric utilities and substation operators will benefit
from enhanced security in smart
grid-enabled digital substations. Utility operators can provide
comprehensive protection to address security policies, manage user access to
critical resources, and the ability to detect and mitigate possible cyber
attacks across the entire grid infrastructure.
The collaboration results in a layered architectural
approach that can provide optimal deployment for substation automation and the
design phase of technology implementation. It also allows easy design and
integration of communication infrastructure with the critical protection and
control, asset monitoring and grid management equipment.
The new substation network supports existing and new
communication standards such as IEC 61850, as well as the prioritization of
control data traffic over non-operations data traffic.
The digital substation solution, based on Cisco’s
multi-service network and Alstom’s next generation IEDs, will provide utilities
the flexibility to deploy multiple applications over a common network
infrastructure.
“Cisco has always recognized the need to develop
sustainable agreements in the effort to achieve a smarter grid. Cisco’s
collaboration with Alstom makes available two sets of complementary
technologies that will help our customers to secure their operations, achieve
cost savings and extract greater value from existing technology infrastructure,”
said Lionel Chocron, vice-president and general manager, Connected Energy
Networks, Cisco.
editor@greentechlead.com