THE APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

TECHNIQUES FOR AUTOMATIC SYNTHESIS SUBSTATION

CONFIGURATION FILES IN ACCORDANCE WITH IEC 61850

A.A. Voloshin, E.A. Voloshin, T.G. Busygin

Relay Control and Automation of Electrical Power Systems, National Research
University,
«MPEI», Smart EPS Ltd, Moscow, Russia

Introduction
In accordance with IEC 61850, the description of substation single-line
diagram, assigning protection functions to protected elements and protection
functions allocation in protection IEDs are performed by SCL language. However,
the functions of the relay protection devices are described in accordance with the
IEC 61850 information model containing logical nodes, logical and physical
devices. Currently, there are a sufficiently large number of special software tools
for the development of configuration description files of relay protection what are
known as system configurators. Application of system configurators is intended for
highly qualified specialists who, on the basis of their experience and knowledge of
normative and technical documents, develop the configuration of the functions of
the relay protection and automation devices. The development of the configuration
of the relay protection of substation is a rather difficult and laborious task, coupled
with the solution of a number of creative tasks. In this case, the probability of
errors associated with the human factor is quite high.
Currently, there is a necessary set of technologies that automatically
generate the configuration description files of the substation according IEC 61850.
The structure of the software package for automatic generation of the substation
configuration description files is described in this paper. The complex includes a
knowledge base that contains the rules for constructing PAC in accordance with
the current normative and technical requirements. Rules for constructing Relay

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 Protection and Automation are presented in the form of an ontology, described
using the WEB Ontology Language (OWL). Also the program complex includes a
program library that performs the functions of logical inference. By using the
OWL API data about substation single-line diagram is entered into the knowledge
base. Then a request about the composition of the required logical nodes for each
element of the primary equipment is made to the knowledge base.

Common information about Knowledge Bases

A knowledge base (KB) is a semantic model described a specific domain

knowledge and allows you to synthesize the responses to requests from this
domain, which is not explicitly present in the knowledge base. The logical
inference methods are used to synthesize such replies. The greatest distribution of
knowledge bases using obtained in expert systems. To facilitate the understanding
of subject matter of the KB, you can draw some analogy with databases (DB). The
comparison of the KB and DB concepts is represented in Table 1.

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 Table 1 Comparison of Databases and Knowlrge bases terminology

Terminology of knowledge bases Terminology of databases

Knowledge (the relations and Data (facts, values of properties and
interactions between facts, properties parameters)
and parameters)
Ontology (the structured knowledge DB Structure
entry)
Reasoner (software module realizing DBMS (software envelope that
the methods of logical inference) performs commands and queries in
DB)
Knowledge base = ontology + reasoner Database = data + DBMS

Ontology is one of the main elements of knowledge base. Ontology is a

formal description of a particular field of knowledge using conceptual schemes,
consisting of interconnected by specified rules concepts, written in the form of a
semantic network. Information model of the semantic network is of the form of a
directed graph. The graph nodes correspond to objects and edges define the
relationships between them.
There are many knowledge representation languages, applications for
ontology and reasoners development. The OWL language is the most popular
language among the huge number of ontology descriptions languages. OWL
language is used to generate ontologies, it is developed for the semantic networks
and recommended by the W3C.
Knowledge engineering tools are based on description logic in OWL.
Currently it is used the second edition of OWL 2.0. There are 3 working profile in
OWL 2.0, called OWL 2 EL, OWL 2 QL and OWL 2 RL. These profiles have the
different expressive force (i.e. different sets of rules to describe knowledge) and

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 the inference efficiency (different information models that bear on the performance
efficiency of the methods of logical inference).
Ontologies, constructed by OWL include the following types of
components:
− individuals are the specified objects of the interest subject domain;
− properties are the binary relations between objects, in other words properties
of connecting two objects (individuals or classes);
− classes are sets which elements are individuals.
Classes are described using formal (mathematical) constructs that declare the
common properties of the class objects. Classes can be arranged in a relationship
hierarchy of the form of subclass-superclass, which is also known as taxonomy.
Reasoner is a key element of the knowledge base. Reasoner is a software
module which synthesizes the responses to requests by implementing logical
inferences from a set of links and/or axioms, and also provides the ability to
automatically support tasks such as: classification and classes hierarchy display,
debugging as consistency checking and inconsistencies detecting, determination of
the individual identification to one of the classes. An example of compiling a
classes hierarchy and object properties in the knowledge base, using ontology
editor Protégé is shown in figure 1.

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 Fig. 1. An example of class hierarchy in taxonometry and graph view

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 The transition from IEC 61850 to ontology

The IEC standard 61850 defines the substation configuration language

(SCL) which is developed on the basis of an extensible markup language (XML)
for the description of configuring of main systems data transfer of the IEC standard
61850. The SCL language describes the hierarchy of configuring files which allow
describing different levels of system in the monosemantic and standardized XML
files. Different SCL files include:
− the description of systems technical characteristics (SSD);
− the description of the opportunities of microprocessor devices (ICD);
− the description of the substation configuring (SCD);
− the description of the configured microprocessor devices (CID).
All these files have an identical format, but are intended for various
application.
SSD (System Specification Description) represents the formalized
description of the single-line diagram of substation with the indication of the main
logical nodes. The example of a single-line diagram of substation described in
accordance with IEC 61850 is given in the figure 2.

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 Fig. 2. The example of description of the single-line diagram of substation
with the indication of the main logical nodes (*.SSD).

The idea of applying knowledge bases within the digital substations is that to
use two different ontologies. One KB includes the maximum number of formalized
knowledge of relay protection and automatics, such as: requirements to PAC,
functioning basics of PAC, function types of PAC, the need of using those
functions, various normative documentation, etc. This knowledge base will be very
bulky, thus work with it won't differ in high efficiency. Conditionally you can call
this KB "Rules of PAC construction and functioning" (KB PAC RCF). Using the
Description logic language this KB will mostely contain the set of terminological
axioms, so-called TBoxes.

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 There is also a second KB, containing a scope of knowledge directly about
the object. This KB have the conditional name «object KB». The amount of
knowledge mostely contained in the Object KB will be the set of statements about
individuals, so-called ABoxes.

4. The method of application of artificial intelligence techniques for automatic

synthesis substation configuration files in accordance with IEC 61850

The method of application of artificial intelligence techniques for automatic

synthesis substation configuration files in accordance with IEC 61850 is set out
below.

1. The first step is KB PAC RCF preparation and population (figure 3). All the
required information for correct PAC complex structuring and functioning is
structured for entries in KB.

Types of
equipment Types of
failure

Redundancy
terms

KB PAC RCF Design standards

Typical Solutions

Fig. 3. KB preparation and population.

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 Below you can find the approximate way to fulfill the ontology of the KB
PAC RCF. You should pay attention that in accordance with description
logic axioms the KB PAC RCF mostly will contain TBoxes (axioms for
terminology) which are represented by Classes.

Fig. 4. The KB PAC RCF representation.

2. The second step is creating *.CIM description file of substation single-line

diagram by applying the configurator. Below we will concider the one-line
diagram of a transformer bay (figure 5). In accordance with *.CIM file
building methodology we should divide the diagram and use the “terminals”
as connection exit points of the equipment and “connectivity nodes” as
connection points between equipment terminals.

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 BUS1 TR1 BUS2
SW11 BRK1 SW12 CT1 CT2 SW21 BRK2 SW22

- Terminals - Connectivity Nodes

Fig. 5. Creation of ontology object.

3. The developed software creates ontology for object KB by the processing

and analysis of the existing *.CIM file created in the semantics of IEC
61850 based on substation single-line diagram (figure 6). Using the first
iteration of Object KB (after CIM recognising) will be described in ontology
like shown in figure 7 where you can find object properties
“hasDirectConnection” and “hasTerminal”.

Object KB

Fig. 6. Creation of ontology object.

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 Fig. 7. The ontology graf view (from BUS1 to TR1) in Protege software.

In figure 8 you can see a sample plot of KB object ontology

containing information only on single-line scheme of substation. It has to be
considered that given initially coupling are shown on a white background,
and the automatically completed coupling when starting the reasoner are
shown on a yellow background. This picture illustrates the mecanism of KB
functioning – the knowlege stores like triplets and it is ablsolutely enough
for reasoner to create a logical conclusion.

Fig. 8. The result of the reasoner HermiT 1.3.8.413 working in Protégé.

4. Next, the software package requests to KB PAC RCF (fig. 9) and begins to
complement the KB object ontology with required IEC 61850 LNs
depending on primary scheme of substation and the protected equipment.
The logical inference is provided in KB PAC RCF (figure 10) to know
which set of logical nodes is necessary for each protected item. The received
fragments at this stage have only a logical connection with a protected object
without relation of input and output information for each of the PAC
functions with specific elements. However, the fragments of the logic
described in accordance with IEC 61850 and have the semantic description

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 of the needed input and output information (for example: the input
information - current ph. A, B, C, the output information is the trip signal to
cirquit breaker).

DL Query

...
KB PAC RCF

...

Fig. 9. DL queries from Object KB to KB PAC RCF.

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 Fig. 10. The logical inference (conclusion) mechanism in KB PAC RCF.

After the logical conclusion in KB PAC RCF made by proper

reasoner the results of this manipulation should be written to Object KB.
In figure 11 the process of assigning the LNs to the protected equipment is
shown. LNs in Object KB are individuals but LNs in KB PAC RCF are
describer by Classes. Here you can also see the so-called TBox and ABox
terms.

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 Object KB
DATA input

XCBR_1
KB PAC RCF
...
TCTR_1

PDIF

YPTR

TCTR_2

...
XCBR_2

Fig. 11. Assigning LNs to protected equipment.

5. The available complemented object KB ontology is checked for errors,
contradictions and missing information when it occurs. Next, it creates a
list of the required logical nodes for each element of the primary
equipment of the substation by using all the same logical inference
mechanisms and DL queries to KB PAC RCF. At the same time, the
knowledge base forms the requirements to connection of input and output
signals of logical nodes in a semantic type. Necessary links between
logical nodes are formed in the software package based on received
semantic knowledge. In terms IEC 61850, the System Specification
Description (SSD) is formed at this stage (figure 12).

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 XCBR_1

... inputs

TCTR_1 PTOC_1

inputs outputs

PDIF PTRC

outputs

inputs

TCTR_2 PTOC_2

...
XCBR_2

Fig. 12. SSD-file configuration.

6. When the formation of connection scheme between logical nodes is
finished, the process of definition of the required structure and the number
of protection IEDs and optimum distribution of logical nodes between
them is started. This process is carried out by genetic algorithms, thus
there is an optimization of functional architecture of the substation PAC
complex.
It should be noted that the SCD file includes a section "Communication"
which describes the process buses and stations parameters. Generation of this
section also occurs by using optimization algorithms, allowing to build LAN

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 object in such a way to minimise a signal path delay and the load on the
individual nodes.
The existence of a separate entity in the form of object ontology seems to
be an interesting solution, in view of the opportunity to continue the data
collection and its expansion for the purpose to the further use of the accumulated
volume of knowledge. For example, it can be useful for analyzing objects
ontologies, identifying specific common factors, completing and to teaching
knowledge base rules of construction and functioning of PAC.
The primary use of the described above algorithm is an automatic design
of PAC complex of substation based on the object primary single line diagram
within the standard IEC 61850. In addition, the successful experience in
applying knowledge bases to solve this task opens the possibility for deep
integration of expert systems in the automatic process control systems.
The development and implementation of KB technologies would make it
possible to apply flexible algorithms of PAC and emergency automation based
on complete rethink of operations, to correct algorithms used at the objects
during on-line mode operation depending on the prevailing situation at a
particular time. By the aid of the global knowledge base organization, there is a
possibility of ongoing monitoring of normative base changes; weaknesses,
inaccuracies and contradictions identifying in normative documentation. The
software package application will reduce the occurrence probability of errors
during commissioning and operation, automatically create checking protocols of
PAC complexes, carry out the recalculation of pickup settings, automatically
redistribute PAC functions in the event of failure of one device, etc.

Conclusion

The reported way of technology infusion of knowledge bases illustrates

the possibility of significant simplification, acceleration and quality

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 improvement of the design phase of the digital substations in the format of IEC
61850. As well as it offers one of the possible directions for the digital
substations development. The successful implementation of the described
mission, the creation of the educable global knowledge base of PAC would
increase the level of automation and intellectualization of PAC, emergency
automation, APCS, automated information and measuring system of commercial
energy metering complexes, that will significantly speed up, cut the cost and
improve the quality of technological processes in the electric power industry.

Bibliography
[1] A.F. Dyakov, A.A. VOLOSHIN, A.V. ZHUKOV, G.S. NUDELMAN.
Using of Optimization techniques for development of functionally integrated
systems of relay protection and automation. Proceedings of SC B5 on General
Session CIGRE 2016.

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