The Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE) proudly celebrates the successful completion of the IEC 61850 Substation Automation Training, a remarkable achievement at the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) Laboratory.

Under the leadership of Prof Senthil Krishnamurthy, Dr Carl Kriger, and Dr Mkhululi Mnguni, an expert in power systems and substation automation, the programme provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in IEC 61850-based protection, control, monitoring, and communication systems. Participants included members from the Techno Serve Protection and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Engineers Team, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Engineers Team, the National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Team, as well as academics and postgraduate teams from DEECE.

Krishnamurthy said the primary aim of the programme is to develop technical expertise in IEC 61850-based substation automation, protection, and control systems, in alignment with international standards and modern power system needs. “The training aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world engineering practice by combining academic insights with hands-on laboratory exercises that utilise multi-vendor equipment and industry-standard tools.”

He said the objectives of the programme include the following:

• Introduction to IEC 61850 fundamentals: data models, logical nodes, Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messaging, Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) communication, and interoperability principles.
• Practical training with an ABB Global Technology company with Restricted Earth Fault protection (REF615) relays, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)- Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC)-3555 controllers, and Omicron Universal relay test set and commissioning tool (CMC 356), Test Universe for real-world validation.
• Substation Automation, Data Acquisition, and Control using SEL Architect & RTAC
• Substation to SCADA Control Center Via Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3) and Modbus Communication protocols.
• Competence in engineering workflows: project creation in Protection, Control and Monitoring (PCM600), GOOSE configuration in SEL Architect, SCADA/Remote terminal units (RTU) mapping, and disturbance recording.
• Applied skills in designing, configuring, validating, and troubleshooting multi-vendor substation automation systems.

Meanwhile, the outcomes include the following:

• Introduction to IEC 61850 fundamentals: data models, logical nodes, Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messaging, Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) communication, and interoperability principles.
• Practical training with an ABB Global Technology company with Restricted Earth Fault protection (REF615) relays, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)- Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC)-3555 controllers, and Omicron Universal relay test set and commissioning tool (CMC 356), Test Universe for real-world validation.
• Substation Automation, Data Acquisition, and Control using SEL Architect & RTAC
• Substation to SCADA Control Center Via Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3) and Modbus Communication protocols.
• Competence in engineering workflows: project creation in Protection, Control, and Monitoring (PCM600), GOOSE configuration in SEL Architect, SCADA/Remote terminal units (RTU) mapping, and disturbance recording.
• Applied skills in designing, configuring, validating, and troubleshooting multi-vendor substation automation systems.

He said that the training emphasised industry-grade, lab-based exercises, ensuring participants are ready to implement advanced substation automation solutions that enhance reliability, efficiency, and interoperability in modern power systems.

Krishnamurthy added: “Within the African continent, CPUT’s CSAEMS lab is a hub for cutting-edge training and research in smart grids, substation automation, and energy management systems.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The world of higher education is swift to respond to new trends and innovations, therefore, it is not surprising that new master’s and doctoral programmes are constantly emerging to address the needs of students in a changing world in numerous academic fields.

Hence, the Quantum Physics Research Group in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at CPUT is engaged in developing quantum technology components. The group currently has funding for master’s and doctoral students. Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering Lecturer, Rory Pent, said the prospective students will be engaged in developing electronic subsystems/ devices or experimental apparatus that will support the quantum technology research of the group.

The prerequisite for this programme is an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering (or experimental physics) for master’s studies or a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or experimental physics) for doctoral studies.

Pentz said: “The student must be interested in quantum technologies such as quantum computing, quantum sensors and quantum communications… We have constructed a cold-atoms experiment using rubidium. The cold atoms will be used in a four-wave mixing experiment to create entangled photons for the quantum key distribution system and to develop quantum sensors. We are also developing commercial products such as laser drivers, classical photo detectors, signal photon detectors and electronic counting/timing units.”

He said the research that the student will be doing is cutting-edge research in the field of quantum technology. “Students undertaking this research will be a leader in the area of quantum technology after completion of his/her studies and will be able to contribute to emerging quantum technologies. Students having this knowledge will be more marketable.”

These are postgraduate research degrees and consist of 100% research component. Upon completion, students have the choice of starting their own spin-of companies or becoming academics at institutions of higher learning or working for existing quantum technology companies.

For a master’s degree, the duration is usually two years and for doctoral studies the duration is three years. Funding is available for 2023 to 2025.

For 2023 studies, students need to apply before 31 March 2023. Students should apply to Dr Atanda Raji: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), representing the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT recently hosted a high-level delegation from two German Higher Education Institutions – DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe.

The aim of the visit, which was held at the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE), was to strengthen relationships between CPUT, DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe and to engage in further collaboration between the institutions. The visit centred around the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).

The German delegation consisted of Prof Dr-Ing. Herbert Dreher, President DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr-Ing Stephan Schenkel, President DHBW Karlsruhe, Ingela Lundin, International Relations Officer, DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr Stephan Sauter, Industrial Engineering, DHBW Ravensburg and Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, International Business, DHBW Ravensburg.

“For us it’s very important that we learn from each other,” said Dreher.

The CPUT delegation consisted of Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Prof Judy Peter, Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, FEBE and several other representatives from the Faculty and from Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Phaho welcomed the delegation and said the university wanted to ensure that it built on already great relationships.

Dobbelstein said his institution already has long-standing ties with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, which includes, among other things, staff and student exchanges.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre

Earlier in the month a delegation from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and KU Leuven in Belgium visited CPUT and was also welcomed to DEECE.

The objective of the meeting was to renew the partnership agreement with CPUT in the areas of research, staff, and student exchange, amongst others.

The Dutch and Belgium delegation, which consisted of Sabine Amft (THUAS) Pepijn van Willigenburg, (THUAS) Prof.ir Annick Dexters (KU Leuven) and Albert van Oudheusden (UNSA) were welcomed by Prof Bingwen Yan (Acting) Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT recently hosted a high-level delegation from two German Higher Education Institutions – DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe.

The aim of the visit, which was held at the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE), was to strengthen relationships between CPUT, DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe and to engage in further collaboration between the institutions. The visit centred around the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).

The German delegation consisted of Prof Dr-Ing. Herbert Dreher, President DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr-Ing Stephan Schenkel, President DHBW Karlsruhe, Ingela Lundin, International Relations Officer, DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr Stephan Sauter, Industrial Engineering, DHBW Ravensburg and Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, International Business, DHBW Ravensburg.

“For us it’s very important that we learn from each other,” said Dreher.

The CPUT delegation consisted of Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Prof Judy Peter, Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, FEBE and several other representatives from the Faculty and from Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Phaho welcomed the delegation and said the university wanted to ensure that it built on already great relationships.

Dobbelstein said his institution already has long-standing ties with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, which includes, among other things, staff and student exchanges.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre

Earlier in the month a delegation from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and KU Leuven in Belgium visited CPUT and was also welcomed to DEECE.

The objective of the meeting was to renew the partnership agreement with CPUT in the areas of research, staff, and student exchange, amongst others.

The Dutch and Belgium delegation, which consisted of Sabine Amft (THUAS) Pepijn van Willigenburg, (THUAS) Prof.ir Annick Dexters (KU Leuven) and Albert van Oudheusden (UNSA) were welcomed by Prof Bingwen Yan (Acting) Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning.

Written by CPUT News

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