Conprove at the XXVIII SNPTEE: Recommendations for Implementing the Process Bus in Digital Substations

Conprove presented three approved technical papers at the XXVIII National Seminar on Electric Power Generation and Transmission (SNPTEE), which took place from October 19 to 22, 2025, at the Recife Expo Center. Among them, the standout work was:

“Recommendations for Implementing the Process Bus in Digital Substations in Light of CIGRE WG B5.69”

The paper analyzed the guidelines from CIGRE Working Group WG B5.69, which addresses recommendations for implementing the Process Bus in IEC 61850–based digital substations.

The Process Bus is one of the pillars of substation digitalization, enabling measurement and control signals to be transmitted in real time through digital messages (Sampled Values and GOOSE). This architecture brings significant benefits in efficiency, cable reduction, and integration among multi-vendor equipment.

However, it also introduces challenges related to interoperability, cybersecurity, upfront costs, and time synchronization—especially under adverse network conditions.

The paper aimed to discuss practical recommendations for adopting the Process Bus, based on WG B5.69 guidelines, and to propose strategies that help utilities, manufacturers, and integrators implement safer, more efficient, and standardized solutions.

Among the topics addressed:

• Upfront costs and economic analysis of implementation
• Network redundancy strategies to increase reliability
• Time synchronization via PTP (Precision Time Protocol)
• Cybersecurity for the Process Bus environment
• Interoperability among IEDs from different manufacturers
• Commissioning test strategies:
  • Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)
  • Site Acceptance Tests (SAT)
• Technical training and asset management as critical success factors

Process Bus implementation provides gains such as:

• Reduced costs for wiring and infrastructure
• Greater operational efficiency with real-time digitalized data
• Flexibility to integrate new equipment and technologies

On the other hand, challenges like interoperability, synchronization in adverse scenarios, and cybersecurity must be carefully addressed to ensure successful deployment.

The paper reinforced the importance of aligning Process Bus adoption with the international recommendations of WG B5.69, offering guidance that can support utilities, industries, and manufacturers in transitioning to more robust, secure, and efficient digital substations.

Learn more about Conprove and its technical publications: https://conprove.com