OPC integration with IEC 61850 for powering smart power systems

The very existence of the smart Grid concept is based on real time data connectivity of the generation systems, the grid, the distribution system and the user. Communications standards are evolving and there is lot of work going on for the unified architecture. The participation of various stakeholders in the future energy systems through standard communication standards is being deliberated and discussed. The two radical standards IEC 61850 and the OPC, are being seen as the most promising for future smart Grid concept. The technical paper examines the various aspects, data models and integration considerations of IEC 61850 with OPC for achieving data integration for the upcoming smart energy systems. The authors have put forward the real examples of data integration of IEC 61850 with OPC DA 2.0 in different projects. The authors have also put forward the integration study of OPC UA with IEC 61850 which shall prove to be an enabler for new vistas for smart systems having multi-agent systems with hierarchical controls, diagnosis and monitoring. OPC UA which can run on multiple systems with remote access across the cloud and supporting complex data structures can be integrated with IEC 61850 to actualize the Smart Electrical Systems.