Cisco Cisco Connected Grid Design Suite Substation Workbench Release 1.0 Technical References
3
Connected Grid Design Suite-Substation Workbench Release 1.0: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
OL-29856-01
Introduction
Introduction
This document answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Connected Grid Design Suite –
Substation Workbench Release 1.0.
Substation Workbench Release 1.0.
General Overview
Q. What is the Connected Grid Design Suite (CGDS) – Substation Workbench,
and why is it needed?
and why is it needed?
A- In today’s global energy industry, utilities require cost-effective, time-efficient rollout of substation
and operational communications networks. With growing investment in grid modernization, new
solutions are needed to help engineers implement communication capabilities, assure compliance with
rapidly changing regulatory standards, and plan for future needs.
and operational communications networks. With growing investment in grid modernization, new
solutions are needed to help engineers implement communication capabilities, assure compliance with
rapidly changing regulatory standards, and plan for future needs.
Cisco® has created the Connected Grid Design Suite (CGDS) to support electrical and operational
engineers as they develop, model, and test distributed communications networks capable of enabling
next-generation use cases today. The CGDS Design Suite helps utilities to both implement new
automated substations and maintain and retrofit existing facilities.
engineers as they develop, model, and test distributed communications networks capable of enabling
next-generation use cases today. The CGDS Design Suite helps utilities to both implement new
automated substations and maintain and retrofit existing facilities.
Utilities gain:
•
Acceleration of grid modernization initiatives
•
Improved reliability, security, and compliance
•
Less training required for field personnel
•
Lower deployment and ongoing maintenance costs
•
Faster project execution
Q. What are some of the challenges of automating communications for
operational networks?
operational networks?
A. Today’s utilities are witnessing an explosion of IP-enabled devices within the substation. These
facilitate large-scale automation projects. The use of IP provides scale, security, and manageability at a
reduced cost, replacing a variety of application-centric networks and labor-intensive proprietary
solutions. At the same time, deploying smart grid communications networks requires a new skill set, and
utility operations teams rarely have IT experts on staff.
facilitate large-scale automation projects. The use of IP provides scale, security, and manageability at a
reduced cost, replacing a variety of application-centric networks and labor-intensive proprietary
solutions. At the same time, deploying smart grid communications networks requires a new skill set, and
utility operations teams rarely have IT experts on staff.
Substations generally encompass a variety of equipment and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) from
numerous vendors. Although each vendor solution provides software for managing its own devices, there
has not been a good solution for managing configuration and design across a wide range of IEDs and
IP-enabled devices, such as switches and routers. As a result, these proprietary solutions require time
and effort to manage and frequently more customization than standards-based solutions. This can lead
to reduced reliability and increased risk. The utility must remain compliant with both current and
emerging regulatory, security, and corporate requirements.
numerous vendors. Although each vendor solution provides software for managing its own devices, there
has not been a good solution for managing configuration and design across a wide range of IEDs and
IP-enabled devices, such as switches and routers. As a result, these proprietary solutions require time
and effort to manage and frequently more customization than standards-based solutions. This can lead
to reduced reliability and increased risk. The utility must remain compliant with both current and
emerging regulatory, security, and corporate requirements.