ComEd is preparing to deploy a private LTE network to provide additional flexibility to the current network design and deployment with fiber optics communication. Preliminary tests were conducted at ComEd’s lab with utility equipment such as reclosers, capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and substation relays which comprise many of the use cases that an advanced communication infrastructure enables.

Test cases consisted of peer-to-peer recloser communication using IEC 61850 GOOSE and IntelliTeam (S&C’s proprietary DNP3 protocol), SCADA DNP3 communication, Direct Transfer Trip (DTT), failover from a fiber primary path to a secondary PLTE path, and IP camera video streaming for equipment monitoring and security applications.

While lab testing can support initial validation of use-case functionality over the private LTE network, signal strength is generally going to be very good in an indoor lab environment. To test use cases in a more realistic environment, ComEd leveraged an outdoor testing site in Kent, IL. In its first iteration, ComEd established a fiber optics communication network to support the enablement of IEC61850 GOOSE in its extended applications.

As ComEd prepares to establish a private LTE network to add flexibility and cost savings in network design and deployment, additional testing is needed to validate IEC61850 GOOSE over private LTE.