The ongoing digital transformation of the power industry has accelerated the adoption of advanced protection, automation, and communication technologies in substations worldwide. In this context, interoperability between devices from different manufacturers has become a fundamental requirement for ensuring reliability, security, and operational efficiency.
As part of its commitment to technological innovation and the advancement of digital substations, CONPROVE will participate in the IEC 61850 IOP 2026 (Interoperability Testing Event), one of the most important international events dedicated to interoperability testing of IEC 61850-based systems.
The event will take place in Utrecht, Netherlands, from October 7 to October 16, 2026, bringing together manufacturers, utilities, laboratories, and specialists from around the world to perform collaborative interoperability testing.
What is the IEC 61850 IOP?
The IEC 61850 Interoperability Testing Event (IOP) is an international initiative focused on validating interoperability among devices and systems developed by different vendors.
Its primary objective is to verify that equipment implementing the IEC 61850 standard can successfully exchange information and operate together, regardless of the manufacturer.
These tests are essential for ensuring that modern digital substations can achieve seamless integration among protection relays, Merging Units, process bus devices, switches, time synchronization systems, and supervisory applications.
Why Interoperability Matters
Interoperability is one of the key principles of the IEC 61850 standard.
In digital substations, multiple intelligent devices must communicate in real time using standardized protocols to support protection, control, monitoring, and automation functions.
Among the technologies evaluated during interoperability tests are:
GOOSE Messaging
GOOSE (Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event) messages enable high-speed communication between protection and control devices, ensuring fast response times for critical system events.
Sampled Values (SV)
Sampled Values allow the transmission of digitized current and voltage measurements from Merging Units throughout the process bus network.
Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
Accurate time synchronization is crucial in digital substations. PTP ensures that all devices operate with a common and highly precise time reference.
Testing these technologies in multi-vendor environments helps improve system reliability and supports the widespread adoption of IEC 61850 solutions.
CONPROVE’s Participation
During the IEC 61850 IOP 2026 event, CONPROVE will participate alongside leading manufacturers and industry experts from around the globe.
The company will contribute its expertise in:
- Digital protection testing;
- IEC 61850 validation;
- Interoperability testing;
- Communication network diagnostics;
- Digital substation monitoring;
- GOOSE and Sampled Values analysis;
- PTP synchronization verification;
- Testing methodologies for digital substations.
This participation reinforces CONPROVE’s commitment to developing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global power industry.
Benefits for the Power Industry
Interoperability testing events provide significant benefits for manufacturers, utilities, integrators, and end users.
Key advantages include:
- Improved reliability of digital substation systems;
- Reduced integration issues between devices from different vendors;
- Enhanced project standardization;
- Increased operational security;
- Greater maturity of IEC 61850 technologies;
- Accelerated deployment of digital substations worldwide.
These advancements contribute directly to building smarter, safer, and more resilient power networks.
Supporting the Future of Digital Substations
The growing adoption of process bus architectures, virtual IEDs, Digital Twins, and advanced monitoring solutions makes interoperability testing more important than ever.
Events such as the IEC 61850 IOP allow manufacturers and users to validate technologies before field deployment, reducing risks and increasing confidence in digital substation projects.
By participating in this international initiative, CONPROVE continues to strengthen its position as a technology partner dedicated to innovation and excellence in power system testing and automation.
International Event in Utrecht
IEC 61850 Interoperability Testing Event (IOP 2026)
📍 Utrecht, Netherlands
📅 October 7–16, 2026
The event will gather experts and organizations from around the world to validate devices, protocols, and applications that represent the latest advancements in digital substation technology.
CONPROVE is proud to be part of this global effort to advance interoperability and accelerate the adoption of IEC 61850-based solutions.
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