From the substation to the control centre

Digital control systems for MV/HV substations

A digital control system (DCS) replaces relay-based control panels and hard-wired cabling with an industrial IT architecture: each bay is controlled by its digital relay, and the whole substation is operated from a local HMI or from the control centre.

We design, wire and test our DCS cabinets in our workshop before delivery: the substation computer, HMI, general bay unit and switches are mounted, labelled and tested there, for fast commissioning on site.

• Architecture study and detailed design file
• DCS cabinets: MiCOM C264 RTU, industrial PC, touch-screen HMI, redundant switches
• General bay unit: digital inputs/outputs, telemetry, remote commands
• Substation time synchronisation by GPS server (NTP / IEC 61588)
• Platform then site testing, commissioning and operator training

IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 60870-5-101 and Modbus integration

In a substation, protection, metering and control equipment must exchange information with each other and with the control centre. We master the industry protocols and build the gateways that connect them, from equipment configuration to testing with the operator.

• IEC 61850: SCL file engineering (SCD, ICD, CID), GOOSE messages and MMS reports
• IEC 60870-5-104: remote control over IP networks to the SCADA and the control centre
• IEC 60870-5-101: serial links to control centres and existing equipment
• Modbus RTU and TCP: meters, power meters, PLCs and third-party equipment
• Protocol conversion gateways, mapping tables and point-to-point testing

Protection relays and retrofit

Protection relays are at the heart of a substation's safety. We master their configuration, testing and commissioning: our teams carry out protection testing with their own tools, injection test sets and configuration software.

We also offer upgrades of protection relays to the latest versions, or replacement of existing relays with the least possible impact on the low-voltage wiring of the switchgear cubicles.

• Relay configuration and settings, protection plans and setting calculations
• Protection testing by secondary injection with our test sets
• Commissioning, test reports and acceptance with the operator
• Upgrade of relays to the latest versions
• Sepam 2000 to Sepam 80 retrofit without rewiring the cubicles' LV circuits

MV and LV switchboards

We supply, assemble and connect the 30 kV and 10 kV medium-voltage switchboards of primary substations, together with the associated low-voltage cabinets and auxiliary services.

• Incomer, feeder, bus coupler, bus riser, auxiliary transformer and metering cubicles
• Refurbishment of MV switchboards while maintaining continuity of service
• Auxiliary services: rectifier-chargers, batteries, DC and AC boards
• Connection of MV cables and dielectric testing
• Commissioning coordinated with the operator

Supervision and remote control

Operators need to see the state of their network and act in real time. We set up substation HMIs and remote control links that send information up to the control centre.

• Substation HMI: mimic diagrams, alarms, measurements, history and reports
• IEC 60870-5-104 remote control gateways to the SCADA
• Integration of DNP3 and Modbus protocols
• Remote control database and point-to-point testing with the control centre

Industrial telecoms

A digital substation relies on a reliable communication network. We design and install the links that connect the equipment to each other and the substation to the rest of the network.

• Fibre-optic networks and patch boxes
• Industrial switches, dual PRP network (LAN A / LAN B) and RSTP rings
• Fibre / RS-485 converters for serial equipment
• Links to remote substations and the control centre
• Firewalls, network segmentation and access hardening (OT cybersecurity)

Civil works and MV/LV networks

Qualified in category VI for building and public works, we also carry out the civil works and cable networks that accompany electrical substations.

• Cable trenches: formwork, reinforcement and concreting
• Trenching, duct laying and pulling of MV and LV cables
• Relocation of MV feeders with continuity of service
• Distribution substations: civil works and equipment
• Type D electricity distribution works for Sonelgaz-Distribution

Renewable energy

A solar plant or a storage system is only valuable if it is properly connected, protected and supervised. We apply our substation know-how to new energy sources.

• Delivery and grid connection substations
• Decoupling protection and metering
• Plant supervision and remote control
• Integration of energy storage solutions