IEEE Power Engineering Society

Power System Communications Committee (PSCC)

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Welcome to the IEEE PES PSCC Web Site!

The IEEE PES Power System Communications Committee (PSCC) develops communication standards, covering the treatment of all matters in which the dominant factors are the application, design, construction and operation of communications systems, including all matters necessary to the functioning of such communications systems employed in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy and their effects on system operation.

 

News and Events

 
  • P1777 Wireless Data Communications: Call for Support from Power System Engineers to Describe Functions Which Could Possibly Benefit from Wireless Data Communications: The IEEE PES Power System Communications (PSCC) and Substations Committees have established a joint Working Group and PAR P1777 to assess how and where wireless data communications could be used in power system operations, covering T&D substations equipment, distribution field equipment, protection, maintenance, large power plants, distributed power plants, customer metering, and any other equipment used in power system operations. We would appreciate power system engineers and other operations people filling out short “Use Case” forms for existing or new applications for which wireless communications might be beneficial, covering:
    • Identification of one or more functions
    • Brief description of the functions or application of wireless within the functions
    • Current status of any wireless implementations in these functions or applications
    • Description of new capabilities which might become feasible if wireless communications were available
    • Possible benefits which they believe could be gained from wireless communications
    • Possible concerns about using wireless communications
    • Quality of Service issues: Time-sensitivity, performance, configuration, mobility, time between servicing, and other quality of service requirements
    • Security issues: Types of security required: confidentiality, integrity, availability/reliability, non-repudiation/accountability

    For more information, see P1777 - Wireless Working Group; click here for the link to the Wireless Questionnaire

     

  • Need for Fiber Optic Committee Chair: Bob Bratton, after many years of dedicated service in pulling together consensus in fiber optic standards, has retired from TVA to pursue a more leisurely career without fiber optic cables! The PSCC is looking to find a new chair for the Fiber Optic Committee. Anyone interested should contact the PSCC chairperson.

PSCC Committee Scope

  The IEEE PES Power System Communications Committee (PSCC) develops communication standards, covering the treatment of all matters in which the dominant factors are the application, design, construction and operation of communications systems, including all matters necessary to the functioning of such communications systems employed in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy and their effects on system operation. Included is treatment of the following:
  • Power Line Carrier
  • Radio and Other Free Space Communications
  • Fiber Optic Communications
  • Wire Line Communications including both telephone lines and cables
  • Methods of Measurements
  • Protection of Communications Circuits and Equipment
  • Personnel safety through coordinated application
  • Utilization of Communications
  • Communications Protocols used in Utilities

PSCC Officers

 
Chair: Frances Cleveland
Vice Chair: Dan Nordell
Secretary/Meeting Minutes: Stan Klein
Standards Coordinator: Manish Chaturvedi
TCPC: Dan Nordell
Past Chairs:

John Newbury

Terry Burns

Roger Ray

PSCC Technical Subcommittees

Power Line Carrier Subcommittee (SC-3)

 

Scope: Evaluate and report on the characteristics and performance of power line carrier communication systems as applied to electric power systems. Recommend design criteria and operating and test procedures to assure reliability and compatibility of the overall communication system. Develop and maintain related standards.

Chair: R.E. Ray

Recent Work

 

P643 Guide for Power Line Carrier Applications

Electromagnetic Compatibility Working Group (P956)

Scope: To study and document the relationships between powerline carrier (PLC) and low-frequency radio and radio navigation systems. PLC is defined as a communications medium used on the transmission lines of electric power utilities. Carrier on distribution lines or other conduction media is not included. The frequency range will include all frequencies up to and including 490 kHz; however, efforts will be made to avoid duplication of work by other groups dealing with specific segments of this band. The relationships studied will include interference mechanisms in both directions, i.e., the receiving characteristics and vulnerability of PLC systems to interfering signals, and the radiating characteristics of PLC systems with normal transmitted power levels. The studies will not deal with noise or transient disturbances from natural, manmade, or power system sources. All known reference sources will be explored to identify documented information pertinent to the subjects being studied. If needed information is not determined to be available, suitable field tests or research projects may be identified with the intent of encouraging member organizations to provide assistance in obtaining the missing knowledge.

   

Radio Subcommittee (SC-4)

  Scope: Evaluate and report on the characteristics and performance of radio and other free space communication systems as applied to electric power systems. Recommend design criteria and operating and test procedures to assure reliability of the overall communication system. Report on new equipment whose design is applicable to electric utility use. Develop and maintain related standards.

Chair: D.J. Marihart

Recent Work
   

Fiber Optics Subcommittee (SC-5)

  Scope: Evaluate and report on the characteristics and performance of fiber optic communication systems as applied to electric power systems. Recommend design criteria and operating and test procedures to assure reliability of the overall communication system. Report on new equipment whose design is applicable to electric utility use. Develop and maintain related standards.

Chair: R.E. Bratton (retired)

Recent Work

  • Fiber Optics Standards Working Group
    Chair: W.A. Byrd
    Vice Chair: R.E. Bratton

  • Fiber Optic Communications for Digital Teleprotection Working Group
    Chair: G. Michel

  • Sonet and ATM Communications for Electric Utilities Working Group
    Chair: TBA

  
   

Wire Line Subcommittee (SC-6)

  Scope: Evaluate and report on the characteristics and performance of single or multipurpose wire line communication systems which serve electric power systems or which are otherwise subjected to the influence of the power system or lightning. Recommend design criteria and operating and test procedures to assure reliability and compatibility of the overall communication system. Develop and maintain related standards. Wire line facilities may be owned by, leased to, or under the influence of the electric power system.

Chair: Percy E. Pool and Larry Young

Recent Work
 
  • Standard 487-2000  Revision complete. Balloting expected by 4Q2006.
  • Standard 1590-2003  Revision work initiated 6/2006. Comments/ contributions solicited.
  • P1692: PAR recently approved. Work on the document to start in 2007.  Comments/ contributions solicited.
     

New Concepts and Protocols Subcommittee (SC-7)

  Scope: Evaluate and report on pertinent aspects of new and emerging technologies as related to electric utility system communications not addressed by other PSCC subcommittees. Where a need for coordination, standards or other research is noted, bring to the attention of the PSCC and any other appropriate organization. Assist other subcommittees of PSCC with their activities as appropriate.

Chairs: Manish Chaturvedi and Göran Ericsson

   

Security Subcommittee

  Scope: Development of Recommended Practices, educational material, and other information related to the assessment of information security risks in power system operations.

Purpose: Information security has become increasingly important in power system operations. Although security measures have been developed in the broader communications industry and standardization work is currently underway for security in power system communications protocols, very little effort has been undertaken on how to assess security risks in power system operations, and therefore what security measures need to be implemented. Therefore, the purpose of this Working Group will be to develop methods by which the information security risks can be assessed by utilities. These efforts will be closely coordinated with the on-going work on security standards for power system communications in the IEC TC57 WG15, the on-going work on recommended practices for security solutions in IEEE SCC36, the IEEE PES SCC TF on Electronic Security in IEEE PES Standards, and other security industry efforts.

Chair: Frances Cleveland

   

Broadband Power Line Technology Subcommittee

  Scope: Evaluate and report on the characteristics and performance of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems as they are applied and affect the electric power systems. Recommend design criteria and operating and test procedures to assure reliability of and compatibility with utility distribution systems and the general public. Report on new equipment designs applicable to electric utility use. Develop and maintain related standards.

Chair: Terry Burns
   

Communications Standards Subcommittee (SC-8)

  Scope: Establish and maintain nomenclature and definitions for communication equipment, parameters, and systems associated with electric power systems and develop appropriate standards. Assist other PSCC subcommittees and working groups with advice on terminology, nomenclature, and symbols used in committee reports, standards, and IEEE papers. Provide consultation to PSCC subcommittees in processing standards and guides through IEEE approval and publishing processes. Provide the PSCC representative to the IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee.

Chair: Manish Chaturvedi
   

Liaisons Representatives

Standards Coordinating Committee Manish Chaturvedi
Technical Sessions Committee Dan Nordell
Power System Relaying Committee Roger Ray
PSEC Demand Side Management Subcommittee Dan Nordell
Power Engineering Education Committee John Newbury
PES Awards Committee Don Marihart
Power System Emerging Technologies Frances Cleveland
Policy Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) Frances Cleveland
PES Technical Session Improvement Committee Terry Burns
PES Technical Council Publications Committee Terry Burns
Cigrč Joint Working Group on Security D2/B3/C2-01 Göran Ericsson
International Electrotechnical Commission IEC TC 57 Frances Cleveland
International Electrotechnical Commission IEC TC 77 EMC & EMI John Newbury
Utilities Telecommunications Council (UTC) Terry Burns
IEEE-United States Activity Board Technology Policy Council Committee on Communications and Information Policy Stan Klein
PES Public Affairs Council Don Marihart
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Frances Cleveland
Standards Coordinating Committee 36 (Utility Communications Architecture) Dan Nordell
CENELEC and ETSI John Newbury
UCA International Users Group Dan Nordell

 

PSCC Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Dates Agenda Minutes
June 2007 - Tampa PSCC Agenda Tampa 2007  
February 2007 - Scottsdale   PSCC Minutes Scottsdale 2007
June 2006 - Montreal Agenda-pscc-gm2006.pdf  
January 2006 - New Orleans PSCC_Agenda_Jan_2006.pdf PSCC--NOLA-minutes-1-12-06.pdf
June 2005 - San Francisco   2005 June PSCC Main Committee MEETING Draft Minutes.pdf
     

Last updated on July 31, 2007

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