At 2024 LF Energy Summit in Brussels, Pascal Wilbrink from OpenValue Arnhem delivered an insightful presentation titled “CoMPAS and Beyond: Simplifying IEC61850.” Wilbrink, a software developer, discussed the complexities of the IEC61850 standard and how CoMPAS – a project under the LF Energy umbrella – is streamlining the editing of Substation Configuration Language (SCL) files for power industry automation systems. Here are the key takeaways from his session, followed by the full video at the end of the post.
1. Understanding CoMPAS and IEC61850
CoMPAS is an open source solution designed to simplify the implementation of the IEC61850 standard, which is widely used for configuring power substations. IEC61850’s primary goal is to provide a robust framework for ensuring seamless communication and interoperability between devices in substations. CoMPAS serves as an ecosystem for managing SCL files and offers tools for efficient file manipulation, editing, and versioning.
2. Core Components of CoMPAS
CoMPAS is built around several core modules, each playing a specific role in SCL file management:
- SCL Data Service: Manages file storage, versioning, and labeling within a database.
- Auto-Alignment Service: Automatically generates single-line diagrams from SCL files.
- OCL Validator: Ensures the semantic correctness of SCL files, checking against predefined rules and schemas to maintain functional integrity.
- C-Type Service: Facilitates integration with other systems like C-Type, expanding the functionality of SCL file generation and editing.
3. Open Source and Flexibility
One of CoMPAS’s key strengths is its open source nature, which allows users to extend its functionality by creating custom plugins. Developers can modify or add new components to fit their specific needs, making the platform adaptable for various organizational workflows. This flexibility was demonstrated in Wilbrink’s presentation, where he showcased how plugins like OpenSCD and the CPE (Component Property Editor) can be integrated into the CoMPAS ecosystem.
4. CoMPAS vs. OpenSCD
Wilbrink highlighted the differences between CoMPAS and OpenSCD, another open source SCL file editor. While OpenSCD focuses solely on front-end file editing with no backend versioning or database capabilities, CoMPAS offers a full-stack solution. CoMPAS not only allows users to edit files but also provides version control, secure file handling, and database storage, which is critical for larger, more complex substation configurations.
5. Security and Scalability
Security was another important focus of the session. CoMPAS is compliant with OpenID Connect (OIDC) for secure authentication and authorization, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive substation configurations. Additionally, the platform is scalable, allowing users to deploy it on various environments, from local machines to cloud infrastructure like AWS.
6. Auditing and Version Control
A standout feature of CoMPAS is its comprehensive auditing capabilities. The system tracks every change made to SCL files, logging who made the changes and when they were made. This provides a clear audit trail, crucial for organizations that need to maintain stringent compliance standards in their substation configurations.
