Power systems must face new challenges in the current environment. The energy market liberalization and the increase in the loading level make the occurrence of instability phenomena leading to large blackouts more likely. Existing tools must be improved and new tools must be developed to avoid them.<p><p>The aim of this thesis is the improvement of the voltage stability assessment efficiency. Two orientations are studied: the monitoring methods and the load modeling.<p><p>The purpose of the monitoring methods is to evaluate the voltage stability using only measurements and without running simulations. <p><p>The first approach considered is local. The parameters of the Thevenin equivalent seen from a load bus are assessed thanks to a stream of local voltage and current measurements. Several issues are investigated using measurements coming from complete time-domain simulations. The applicability of this approach is questioned.<p><p>The second approach is global and uses measurements acquired by a Wide-Area Measurement System (WAMS). An original approach with a certain prediction capability is proposed, along with intuitive visualizations that allow to understand the deterioration process leading to the collapse.<p><p>The load modeling quality is certainly the weak point of the voltage security assessment tools which run simulations to predict the stability of the power system depending on different evolutions. Appropriate load models with accurate parameters lead to a direct improvement of the prediction precision.<p><p>An innovative procedure starting from data of long measurement campaigns is proposed to automatically evaluate the parameters of static and dynamic load models. Real measurements taken in the Belgian power system are used to validate this approach.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The transmission line (TL) tower is an important component in electrical network system. These towers consist of members (angle sections) and connections (bolted connections) plus foundation, which act together to resist externally applied loads. The latticed towers are used to support conductors in transmission network for transmission and distribution of electricity. These towers are constructed in large numbers all over the world. The connections in electric TL classical latticed towers are peculiar compared to other types of bolted connections in buildings and bridges because (i) the angle members are connected directly or through gusset plates with bolts, (ii) the eccentric application of load due to the non-coincidence of centroid axes of angle members near the connection and (iii) members are designed as beam column element to sustain tensile or compressive forces. Bearing type bolts are used in TL towers in preference to friction type bolts, because they (i) connect thin walled angle members, (ii) are easy to use for erection at all heights, (iii) can be galvanized, (iv)erosion of galvanizing can be remedied and (v) do not require skilled personnel for installation. However, these connections are subjected to reversal of stresses due to wind load. Damage in the bolted connections generally occur due to loosening of bolts due to stress reversals (Feenstra et al. (2005) [23). The damage induced after extreme wind and earthquake may lead to collapse of the whole tower. The failure of a TL tower results in power shut down, which has huge impact on national economy. Hence, the structural safety and reliable performance of these towers are extremely important. The design of TL tower is based on minimum weight philosophy. The TL towers are highly repetitive and therefore, their designs need to be commercially competitive. The TL tower design has the following deficiencies such as misappropriate design assumptions, deficit detailing, defects in material, errors in fabrication, force fitting of members during erection, variation in grade of bolts, improper gusset plate detailing, notch cutting of member, vocalization of bolt holes, etc. Hence, to check the design and detailing aspects of members along with bolted connections and to study the behavior of tower under complex loading conditions, the prototype testing of tower is made mandatory requirement in many countries throughout the world. The structural behavior of TL tower is determined from its deflection response. Thus, the full scale testing of the towers is the only way that one can counteract the un conservatism due to structural analysis. The premature failure of TL towers occurs during prototype testing due to deficiencies in joint detailing, uncertainties in framing eccentricity, force fitting of members, unequal force distribution in bolts and gusset plate connections, etc. To have better structural response of TL tower to be tested, there is need to develop reliable model for bolted connections in TL towers. The bolted connection model plays an important role in determining the deflection response and predicting the premature member buckling failure of TL towers. The issues related to prototype testing of full scale TL towers such as fabrication errors, force fitting and notch cutting of members, application of loads, joint and crossarm detailing are discussed. The need to develop bolt slip model to simulate the actual behaviour of bolted connection in TL towers is also discussed. The bolted connections in TL towers play an important role in determining its structural behavior. The angle members used in TL towers are subjected to bi-axial bending in addition to axial load. The slip will occur in the bolted connections, due to the provision 1.5 mm bolt hole clearance. In the conventional Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the bolted connections are modeled as pin joint assuming the axial load transfer. The deflection predicted from pin joint analysis in TL towers generally does not match with experimental results. The analytical and experimental deflection value varies in the range of 30 to 50%. Hence, there is need to develop model to account bolt slip for accurate deflection and dynamic characteristic prediction of TL towers. Experimental and analytical investigations have been carried out to develop and validate bolt slip model for bolted connections in TL towers. All six degrees of freedom (both translational and rotational) have been considered to simulate the exact behaviour of bolted connections in TL towers. The model is developed based on experimental results of Ungkurapinan’s bolt slip model for axial stiffness. The rotational stiffness is formulated based on the component level experiment conducted on lap joint made of steel angle with single and double bolt subjected to tensile loading. The axial and rotational stiffness for different stages of bolt tightening is also formulated based on component level experimental investigation on lap joint. The proposed model is validated by comparing with experimental results at sub-structural level on full scale king post truss subjected to tensile loading. Further the bolt slip model is validated for different bolt tightening and failure prediction of TL tower sub panel subjected to tensile loading. Finally the proposed model is also validated for full scale TL tower for deflection prediction. NE NASTRAN, a nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) software is used for analytical simulation and the load-deflection predictions, which are compared with the corresponding experimental results. The experimental and analytical results are in good agreement with each other. The steel pole structures are replacing the conventional lattice towers, because they have smaller plan dimension and occupy less space, when compared to lattice towers. The steel pole structures are dynamically sensitive structures and the determination of their natural frequency is extremely important. For the calculation of wind load through gust factor method, the preliminary estimation of natural frequency is required. Hence, the primary step involved in dynamic analysis is the evaluation of its natural frequency. Hence, a simplified model is proposed based on model order reduction technique for the evaluation of natural frequency of TL towers and steel pole structures. For the development of base line model to detect damage in TL towers, the natural frequency has to be updated. A semi empirical approach is proposed based on the deflection by using the proposed bolt slip model. The proposed approach of updating natural frequency is validated for different cases of member damage in TL tower sub panel, such as removal of tension, compression and hip bracing members. The transmission pole structures accumulate damage during their service life. Damage in these structures will cause a change in stiffness of the system and the physical properties of these structures, such as modal frequencies and mode shapes. Hence in the present study, the damage localization study based on modified modal strain energy approach is carried out for steel pole structures and the location of damage is identified correctly. To prevent premature failure of towers during its service life testing and failure analysis of TL towers is a mandatory requirement. In the present study, forensic failure investigation of a full scale TL tower due to deficient design of a redundant member is emphasized and the remedial measures are explained in detail. The stub failure of TL tower due to reduction in cross sectional area due to unfilled bolt hole is also discussed. To investigate the effect of unfilled bolt holes on the compression capacity of leg member, detailed FEA is carried out and compared with experimental results. The reason for failure of 9 m roof top communication tower due to redundant member deficiency is also discussed. The importance of guyed tower accessories in the guy rope design of 7 m roof top guyed pole structure is also investigated. Finally, failure investigation of compression bracing member, which has failed during testing of TL tower sub panel has been investigated. The failure load is predicted by using the proposed bolt slip model in the analysis. Thus the overall research contributions emerging from this thesis are, i) development of bolt slip model accounting for rotational stiffness, ii) development of direct method of damage detection for steel pole structures based on modified modal strain energy approach, iii) development of simplified model for prediction of natural frequency of TL tower and steel pole structures, iv) development of model updating technique through natural frequency based on semi-empirical approach and v) prediction of failure load for TL tower panel using the proposed bolt slip model.

No description available.

Transmission pricing and congestion management are two important aspects of modern power sectors working under a deregulated environment or moving towards a deregulated system (open access) from a regulated environment. The transformation of power sector for open access environment with the participation of private sector and potential power suppliers under the regime of trading electricity as a commodity is aimed at overcoming some of the limitations faced by the vertically integrated system. It is believed that this transformation will bring in new technologies, efficient and alternative sources of power which are greener, self sustainable and competitive. There is ever increasing demand for electrical power due to the changing life style of human beings fueled by modernization and growth. Augmentation of existing capacity, siting of new power plants, and a search for alternate viable sources of energy that have lesser impact on environment are being taken up. With the integration of power plants into the grid depending upon the type, loca- tion and technology used, the cost of energy production also differs. In interconnected networks, power can flow from one point to other point in infinite number of possible paths which is decided by the circuit parameters, operating conditions, topology of network and the connected loads. The transmission facility provided for power transfer has to recover the charges from the entities present in the network based on the extent of utilization. Since power transmission losses account for nearly 4 to 8% of the total generation, this has to be accounted for and shared properly among the entities depending upon the connected generation/load. In this context, this thesis aims to evaluate the shortcomings of existing tracing methods and proposes a tracing method based upon the actual operating conditions of the network taking into account the network parameters, voltage gradient among the connected buses and topology of the network as obtained by the online state estimator/load flow studies. The concept proposed is relatively simple and easy to implement in a given transactional period. The proposed method is compared against one of the existing tracing technique available in literature. Both active and reactive power tracing is handled at one go. The summation of partial contributions from all the sources in any given line of the system always matches with that of the respective base case ow. The AC power flow equations themselves are nonlinear in nature. Since the sum of respective partial flows in a given branch is always equal to the original ow, these are termed as virtual flows and the effect of nonlinearity is still unknown. The virtual flows in a given line are complex in nature and their complex sum is equal to the original complex power flows as in the base case. It is required to determine whether these are the true partial flows. To answer this, a DC equivalent of the original AC network is proposed and is called as the R - P equivalent model. This model consists of only the resistances as that of original network (the resistances of transformers and lines neglecting the series reactance and the shunt charging) only. The real power injections in a AC network i.e. sources into respective buses and loads (negative real power injections) are taken as injection measurements of this R P model and the bus voltages (purely real quantities) are estimated using the method of least squares. Complex quantities are absent in this model and only real terms which are either sums or differences are present. For this model, virtual flows are evaluated and it has been verified that the virtual real power contributions from sources are in near agreement with the original AC network. This implies that the virtual flows determined for the original network can be applied for day-to-day applications. An important feature of the virtual flows is that it is possible to identify counter ow components. Counter flow components are the transactions taking place in opposite direction to the net flow in that branch. If a particular source is produces counter flow in a given line, then it is in effect reducing congestion to that extent. This information is lacking in most of the existing techniques. Counter flows are useful in managing congestion. HVDC links are integrated with HVAC systems in order to transfer bulk power and for the additional advantages they offer. The incremental cost of a DC link is zero due to the closed loop control techniques implemented to maintain constant power transfer (excluding constant voltage or constant current control). Consequently, cost allocation to HVDC is still a problem. The proposed virtual power flow tracing method is extended to HVAC systems integrated with HVDC in order to determine the extent of utilization of a given link by the sources. Before evaluating the virtual contributions to the HVDC links, the steady state operating condition of the combined system is obtained by per-forming a sequential load flow. Congestion is one of the main aspects of a deregulated system, and is a result of several transactions taking place simultaneously through a given transmission facility. If congestion is managed by providing pricing signals for the transmission usage by the parties involved. It can also be due to the non-availability of transmission paths due to line outages as a result of contingencies. In such a case, generation active power redispatch is considered as a viable option in addition to other available controls such as phase shifters and UPFCs to streamline the transactions within the available corridors. The virtual power flow tracing technique proposed in the thesis is used as a guiding factor for managing congestions occurring due to transactions/contingencies to the possible extent. The utilization of a given line by the sources present in the network in terms of real power flow is thus obtained. These line utilization factors are called as T-coefficients and these are approximately constant for moderate increments in active power change from the sources. A simple fuzzy logic based decision system is proposed in order to obtain active power rescheduling from the sources for managing network congestions. In order to enhance the system stability after rescheduling, reactive power optimization has life systems to illustrate the proposed approaches. For secure operation of the network, the ideal proportion of active power schedule from the sources present in the network for a given load pattern is found from network [FLG] matrix. The elements of this matrix are used in the computation of static voltage stability index (L-index). This [FLG] matrix is obtained from the partitioned network YBUS matrix and gives the Relative Electrical Distance (RED) of each of the loads with respect to the sources present in the network. From this RED, the ideal proportion of real power to be drawn by a given load from different sources can be determined. This proportion of active power scheduling from sources is termed as Desired Proportion of Generation (DPG). If the generations are scheduled accordingly, the network operates with less angular separation among system buses (improved angular stability), improved voltage profiles and better voltage stability. Further, the partitioned K[GL] matrix reveals information about the relative proportion in which the loads should draw active power from the sources as per DPG which is irrespective of the present scheduling. Other partitioned [Y ′ GG] matrix is useful in finding the deviation of the present active power output from the sources with respect to the ideal schedule. Many regional power systems are interconnected to form large integrated grids for both technical and economic benefits. In such situations, Generation Expansion Planning (GEP) has to be undertaken along with augmentation of existing transmission facilities. Generation expansion at certain locations need new transmission networks which involves serious problems such as getting right-of-way and environmental clearance. An approach to find suitable generation expansion locations in different zones with least requirements of transmission network expansion has been attempted using the concept of RED. For the anticipated load growth, the capacity and siting generation facilities are identified on zonal basis. Using sample systems and real life systems, the validity of the proposed approach is demonstrated using performance criteria such as voltage stability, effect on line MVA loadings and real power losses.

High voltage (EHV and UHV) transmission facilitates transfer of large amount of power over long distances. However, due to the inherent geometry, the line and substation hardware of EHV and UHV class generate high electric fields, which results in local ionisation of air called corona discharges. Apart from producing audible noise in the form of frying or hissing sound, corona produces significant electromagnetic interferences in the radio range. The limit for this corona generated Radio Interference (RI) has been stipulated by international standards, which are strictly to be followed. In line and substation hardware, corona control rings are generally employed to limit or avoid corona. Standard dimensions of corona rings are not available for EHV and UHV class. In most of the cases, their design is based on either a trial and error method or based on empirical extrapolation. Only in certain specific cases, the dimensioning of the rings is carried out using electric field calculations. In any of these approaches, the unavoidable surface abrasions, which can lead to corona, are not considered. There are also efforts to account for nominal surface irregularity by using a surface roughness factor, which is highly heuristic. In order to address this practically relevant problem, the present work was taken up. The intended exercise requires accurate field computation and a suitable criterion for checking corona onset. For the first part, the Surface Charge Simulation Method is adopted with newly proposed sub-modelling technique. The surface of the toroid is discretised into curvilinear patches with linear approximation for the surface charge density. Owing to its high accuracy, Galerkin’s method of moments formulation is employed. The problem of singularity encountered in the numerical approach is handled using a method based on Duffy’s transformation. The developed codes have also been validated with standard geometries. After a survey of relevant literature the ‘Critical Avalanche Criteria’ is chosen for its simplicity and applicability to the problem. Through a detailed simulation, the effect of avalanche space charge in reducing the corona onset voltage is found to be around 1.5% and hence it is not considered further. For utilities not interested in a detailed calculation procedure for dimensioning of corona rings, design curves are developed for circular corona rings of both 400 kV and 765 kV class with surface roughness factor in the range 0.8 – 1. In the second part of the work, a methodology for dimensioning is developed wherein the inevitable surface abrasion in the form of minute protrusions can be accounted. It is first shown that even though considerable field intensification occurs at the protrusions, such localised modification need not lead to corona. It is shown that by varying the minor radius of the corona ring, it is possible to get a design where the prescribed surface abrasion does not lead to corona onset. In summary, the present work has successfully developed a reliable methodology for the design of corona rings with prescribed surface abrasions. It involved development of an efficient field computation technique for handling minute surface protrusions and use of appropriate criteria for assessing corona inception. It has also provided design curves for EHV and UHV class corona rings with surface roughness factor specified in the range 0.8 – 1.0.

The forecasting of Eskom transmission electrical network demands is a complex task. The lack of historical data on some of the network components complicates this task even further. In this dissertation a model is suggested which will address all the requirements of the transmission system expansion engineers in terms of future loads and market trends. Suggestions are made with respect to ways of overcoming the lack of historical data, especially on the point loads, which is a key factor in modelling the electrical networks. A brief overview of the transmission electrical network layout is included to provide a better understanding of what is required from such a forecast. Lastly, some theory on multiple regression, neural networks and qualitative forecasting techniques is included, which will be of value for further model developments. / Computing / M. Sc. (Operations Research)

Devido à alta demanda energética e a grande complexidade dos atuais Sistemas Elétricos de Potência (SEPs), altamente interligados, torna-se cada vez mais importante para o operador do sistema, conhecer o estado atual do SEP. Além disso, dispor de ferramentas que permitam prever situações que venham a comprometer o bom funcionamento do sistema. Como um bom funcionamento, enquadra-se a continuidade do suprimento e perfis adequados de tensão elétrica, mesmo após a ocorrência de perturbações, o que pode ser afetado pelo fenômeno de instabilidade de tensão (ou colapso de tensão). Por isso, o objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver uma metodologia de análise do colapso de tensão em tempo real considerando limites de potência ativa e reativa de geradores, a qual visa auxiliar o operador do sistema. Esta metodologia é dividida em cinco etapas. A primeira delas consiste em uma análise do caso base dos SEPs considerados, utilizando um algoritmo que permite estimar a margem de estabilidade de tensão do sistema, considerando os limites de potência ativa e reativa dos geradores. Esta primeira etapa utiliza a metodologia de fluxo de potência continuado, utilizando a carga e a tensão como parâmetros de continuação. A segunda etapa apresenta uma análise de contingências rápida considerando contingências simples de linhas de transmissão, seguindo o critério N-1. Nesta segunda etapa, foi utilizado o método de Look Ahead Modificado. A terceira etapa é uma análise apurada das contingências mais críticas, identificadas na etapa dois, a fim de verificar a presença de bifurcações induzidas por limites. Nesta terceira etapa, também se utilizou a metodologia de fluxo de potência continuado. Na quarta etapa, são aplicados todos os controle disponíveis no sistema, como inserção de banco de capacitores e ajuste do TAP dos transformadores, a fim de verificar qual seria o impacto dessas ações de controle no limite de operação segura do sistema, utilizando o método de Look Ahead Modificado. Essas quatro etapas possibilitam uma análise da estabilidade de tensão do sistema em tempo real. Por fim, é proposta uma quinta etapa de análise de contingências Offline, sendo uma análise mais precisa de todas as contingências, utilizando a metodologia de fluxo de potência continuado. Os SEPs analisados nesta dissertação foram o sistema de cinco barras Stagg, o sistema de quatorze barras padrão do Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) e o sistema de trinta barras padrão IEEE. / Due to the high energy demand and the high complexity of today's interconnected Electrical Power Systems (SEPs), it is becoming increasingly important for the system operator to know the current state of the SEP. In addition, have the tools to predict situations that may compromise the smooth operation of the system. As a good operation, the continuity of the supply and adequate voltage profiles are correct, even after the occurrence of disturbances, which can be affected by the phenomenon of voltage instability (or voltage collapse). Therefore, the objective of this work is to develop a methodology for the analysis of voltage collapse in real time considering the limits of active and reactive power of generators, which aims to assist the system operator. This methodology is divided into five steps. The first one consists of an analysis of the base case of the considered SEPs, using an algorithm that allows estimating the voltage stability margin of the system considering the limits of active and reactive power of the generators. This first step uses the continuous power flow methodology, using load and voltage as continuation parameters. The second stage presents a fast contingency analysis considering simple contingencies of transmission lines, following the criterion N-1. In this second step, the Modified Look Ahead method was used. The third step is an accurate analysis of the most critical contingencies, identified in step two, in order to verify the presence of limits-induced bifurcations. In this third step, we also used the continuous power flow methodology. In the fourth step, all available system controls, such as capacitor bank insertion and TAP adjustment of the transformers, are applied in order to verify the impact of these control actions on the safe operation limit of the system, using the Look Ahead Modified. These four steps enable a real-time analysis of the voltage stability of the system. Finally, a fifth stage of analysis of Offline contingencies is proposed, and a more precise analysis of all the contingencies using the methodology of continuous power flow is proposed. The SEPs analyzed in this dissertation were the Stagg five-bar system, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard fourteen bar system and the IEEE standard thirty-bar system.

The forecasting of Eskom transmission electrical network demands is a complex task. The lack of historical data on some of the network components complicates this task even further. In this dissertation a model is suggested which will address all the requirements of the transmission system expansion engineers in terms of future loads and market trends. Suggestions are made with respect to ways of overcoming the lack of historical data, especially on the point loads, which is a key factor in modelling the electrical networks. A brief overview of the transmission electrical network layout is included to provide a better understanding of what is required from such a forecast. Lastly, some theory on multiple regression, neural networks and qualitative forecasting techniques is included, which will be of value for further model developments. / Computing / M. Sc. (Operations Research)

CNPq / Este trabalho apresenta o estudo de um método para a determinação da posição e orientação de uma bobina implantável em relação à bobina transmissora localizada externamente ao paciente. No aspecto elétrico, conhecer a posição e orientação da bobina implantada permite um maior domínio sobre o posicionamento do enlace e, consequentemente, das características de eficiência e potência entregue ao secundário, i.e. ao IMD. Já no aspecto clínico, detectar e determinar a posição da bobina implantável e, se possível, do IMD, pode auxiliar na determinação de possíveis movimentações do dispositivo na região implantada que podem influenciar o seu desempenho. Neste sentido, realizou-se análises teóricas a cerca da indutância mútua, do coeficiente de acoplamento magnético e de sistemas de transferência de energia sem fio (WPT) a duas bobinas. Por meio do modelo matemático implementado no software Matlab e o projeto experimental de sistemas de WPT a duas bobinas, avaliou-se a influência de desalinhamentos laterais e angulares sobre o acoplamento magnético. A partir das características observadas, descreveu-se os procedimentos necessários para estimar a posição e orientação relativa da bobina do dispositivo implantável apenas mensurando os parâmetros elétricos do primário. Em uma avaliação preliminar, por meio de testes virtuais, observou-se um erro médio e incerteza padrão na determinação da posição relativa de 2,4 mm e 1,1 mm, respectivamente, que se comparada às dimensões das bobinas (40 mm de diâmetro para bobina externa e 5,5 mm para a bobina implantável) indicam uma exatidão adequada. Para a determinação do ângulo relativo o método também apresentou resultados promissores, uma vez que o erro médio foi de 7º e a incerteza padrão obtida de 8,2º. Desta forma, o método estudado possibilita o desenvolvimento de equipamentos para determinação da posição e orientação relativa de uma bobina implantável mensurando apenas a corrente no primário, sem a necessidade de circuitos adicionais no IMD ou a utilização de equipamentos de imagem médicos. / This paper presents the study of a method for determining the implanted coil position and orientation relative to the transmitter coil externally located to the patient. In the electrical aspect, knowing the implanted coil position and orientation allows greater control over the placement of the link and thus the efficiency of features and power delivered to the secondary, i.e. the IMD. In the clinical aspect, detect and determine the implantable coil position, if possible, the IMD can assist in determining possible device movements in the implanted area that can influence their performance. In this sense, a theoretical analysis about the mutual inductance, the magnetic coupling coefficient and two coils wireless power transfer (WPT) systems was realized. Through mathematical model implemented in Matlab and experimental design of two coil WPT systems, the influence of lateral and angular misalignment on the magnetic coupling was assessed. From the observed characteristics, was described the necessary procedures to estimate the relative position and orientation of the implantable device coil only measuring the primary electrical parameters. In a preliminary evaluation, through virtual testing, there was an average error and standard deviation in determining the relative position of 2.4 mm and 1.1 mm, respectively, compared to the dimensions of the coils (40 mm diameter to external coil and 5.5 mm for implantable coil) indicate adequate accuracy. To the relative angle the method also yielded promising results, since the average error was 7° and the standard deviation obtained 8.2°. Thus, the method studied enables the development of equipment for determining the implanted coil relative position and orientation measuring only the primary current without the need for additional circuitry in IMD or the use of medical imaging equipment.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Prof. R. Tzoneva Co-supervisor: Prof. P. Petev 2013 / Busbars are the most important components in the distribution networks. Faults on the busbar are uncommon, however an occurrence of a busbar fault can lead to a major loss of power. Busbars are the areas in a substation where the levels of current are high and therefore the protective relay application is very critical. In order for the protection scheme to be successful it is important to carry out the following specifications: Selectivity, Stability, Sensitivity, and Speed. To meet all of the above requirements protection must be reliable, meaning that the protection scheme must trip when called up to do so (dependability) and it must not trip when it’s not supposed to (security). The thesis focuses on the reverse blocking busbar protection scheme with aim to improve the speed of its operation and at the same time to increase operational reliability, flexibility and stability of the protection during external and internal faults by implementation of the extended functionality provided by the IEC61850 standard-based protective IEDs. The practical implementation of the scheme by the use of IEC 61850 standard communication protocol is investigated. The research analyzes in detail the reverse blocking busbar protection scheme that is used at the moment in the power systems and it develops an improved IEC 61850 based reverse blocking busbar protection scheme for a distribution network. The proposed scheme is designed for a radial type of a distribution network and is modeled and simulated in the DigSILENT software environment for various faults on the busbar and its outgoing feeders. The results from the simulations are used further for implementation of the designed protection scheme. A laboratory test bench is build using three compliant with the IEC 61850 standard ABB IEDs 670 series, CMC 356 Omicron test injection device, PC, MOXA switch, and a DC power supplier. Two ways of the reverse blocking signals between the IEDs implementation are considered: hard wired and Ethernet communication by using IEC 61850 standard GOOSE messages. Comparative experimental study of the operational trip response speed of the two implementation shows that the performance of the protection scheme for the case of Ethernet communication is better The thesis findings and deliverables will be used for postgraduate studies of other students, research, short courses, and solution of industrial problems. Keywords: Busbar, Power system, reverse busbar blocking scheme; IEC61850; Distribution, Protection relays, IEDs, GOOSE message, laboratory test bench