---
title: "Design and commissioning of a massive IEC61850 multivendor substation automation project: a twisted path"
date: 2021-01-25T13:46:00-05:00
author: jessica napert
canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/publications/design-and-commissioning-of-a-massive-iec61850-multivendor-substation-automation-project-a-twisted-path"
section: Publications
---
Technologies, such as IEC61850, introduce the need for a different engineering approach to electrical protection networks (EPN). Traditional telecommunication networks transporting information, require a new approach in design and architecture capable of responding to these emerging technologies.

 

1. These new protection networks have very precise requirements, such as GOOSE messages, in which a time greater than 3 ms is not allowed between the moment an event occurs and a protection signal is received.
    
    This is why factors such as performance, reliability, redundancy, and cybersecurity are elements that become relevant when defining the network architecture and telecommunication protocols to use.
 
This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA

 

    1. ![Kari Blyth](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/209810/Kari-Blyth.webp)   
    
     Kari Blyth, P.Eng.
    
    Office Director, Management - Edmonton office
    
         [  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-blyth-1059b283/)
2. ![Diego Quintero](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/2576/Diego-Quintero.webp)   
    
     Diego Quintero, P.Eng.
    
    Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure
    
         [  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-fernando-quintero-lopez-02704044/)
 
 

       

  

  

 

     - [  17 Aug 2026 
    
     Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Nicolas Samson](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/197852/Nicolas-Samson.webp)   
        
         Nicolas Samson, P.Eng.
        
        Senior Engineer, Structural
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/structural-engineering-early-phase-unlocking-value-through-early-decisions "Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions")
- [  12 Aug 2026 
    
     Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Caroline provost](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/208557/Caroline-provost.webp)   
        
         Caroline Provost P.Eng.
        
        Director, Operational Strategy Implementation
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/four-mistakes-that-can-harm-the-future-performance-of-industrial-assets "Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets")
- [  27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals  
    
     
    
     Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp)
    - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp)
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance")
- [  02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals  
    
     
    
     Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp)
    - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp)
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing")
 
 

       

 

 [ See all 

 ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights "Go to Publications listing page") 

 

   

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  Technologies, such as IEC61850, introduce the need for a different engineering approach to electrical protection networks (EPN). Traditional telecommunication networks transporting information, require a new approach in design and architecture capable of responding to these emerging technologies.

 

1. These new protection networks have very precise requirements, such as GOOSE messages, in which a time greater than 3 ms is not allowed between the moment an event occurs and a protection signal is received.
    
    This is why factors such as performance, reliability, redundancy, and cybersecurity are elements that become relevant when defining the network architecture and telecommunication protocols to use.
 
This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA