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

Manager: International Relations at the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate, Dr Tasmeera Singh, is “extremely delighted” with the success of the visit by Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU) and the possible outcomes it may yield for the Space Engineering programme at CPUT.

CPUT hosted the visitors, Prof Dr Masayoshi Noguchi – Vice President for International Affairs/Executive Director, International Centre; Hidetaka Masuda – Director, International Affairs Office and Satomi Suzuki, International Partnerships Coordinator at Bellville Campus recently. Amongst the CPUT delegation were Prof Suresh Ramsuroop: Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE); Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships – FEBE; Dr Oluwaseyi Babalola - French-South African Institute of Technology / Africa Space Innovation; Nyameko Roy – Acting Director ASIC; Dr Marco Adonis - Head: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DEECE); Singh and many others.

The objective of the visit was to explore avenues for collaboration in shared areas of interest, such as space engineering. Reflecting on the meeting, Singh said: “It was an extremely productive visit with tangible outcomes for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment for the Space Engineering programme.”

During the meeting, Singh also provided an overview of CPUT. Fester presented an overview of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Royi narrated the overview and success stories of the of French-South African Institute of Technology / Africa Space Innovation Centre. As a result of the meeting, two follow-up meetings have been set up and a F’SATI delegate will visit TMU.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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