1045 Hickory Street
Pewaukee, WI 53072
www.cooperpower.com
News Release
Contact:
Stephen Weinstein
(262) 691-8241
stephen.weinstein@cooperindustries.com
Cooper Power Systems Announces Collaboration
with Virelec and Manitoba Hydro
Alliance designed to develop an IEC 61850 compliant substation solution.
WAUKESHA, WI, April 12, 2010 - Cooper Power Systems, a division of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:
CBE), today announced today that it is working with Manitoba Hydro and its system integrator, Virelec,
to develop fully IEC 61850 compliant substations. The project is intended to modernize, automate and
integrate over 100 substations, following the IEC 61850 standard.
The project includes implementing a complete and secure Cooper Power Systems substation
automation solution that is based on SMP Gateway data concentrators, SMP I/O input/output discrete
modular units, SMP 16/SP substation-grade computers and the Yukon Visual T&D HMI system. The
SMP Gateways will be used as bay controllers and data concentrators at the substation level for a
complete and secure integration of substation devices. The SMP I/Os will be used for integration and
automation of each substation bay. Moreover, the SMP16/SP substation-grade computer, combined
with Visual T&D software will provide a complete tool for local SCADA management with a substation
single line diagram HMI. In order to replace traditional hardwiring, IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging will
be used over the fiber-optic ethernet LAN installed in the substation. This solution architecture provides
enhanced integration and reliability improvements as a result of the redundancy capability of all Cooper
Power Systems equipment.
―Utilities are adopting IEC61850 for substation automation to help improve their interoperability and
efficiency,‖ said Mike Stoessl, division president, Cooper Power Systems. ―Building on our existing
61850 offering, we’ve established a leadership position that allows us to help Manitoba Hydro improve
its network management performance, achieve significant cost and time savings and realize improved
reliability.‖
-More-
Cooper Power Systems – Page 2
Editor’s Note: For additional information, contact Lauren Ban at (412) 394-6611 or
lauren.ban@bm.com.
About Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Hydro is a provincial Crown Corporation, providing electricity to 521,599 customers
throughout the province and natural gas service to 261,159 customers in various communities. The
corporation also imports and exports electricity within wholesale markets in Canada and mid-western
United States. Manitoba Hydro offers its customers a wide range of energy services. In addition to
providing electricity and natural gas, the corporation aggressively promotes energy conservation
through its many Power Smart programs. Manitoba Hydro is also known nationally for its quality of
service and reliability and is the only Canadian utility that participates as a member of an international
transmission organization—the Midwest Independent System Operator.
About Virelec
Virelec was founded in 1995, as an independent Protection, Control and SCADA System company,
providing panels and complete substation automation systems, with expertise in designing, assembling,
programming and commissioning. Originally, Virelec recognizes that the technology in the substation
protection and control systems was evolving rapidly from electromagnetic and static electronic devices
to intelligent electronic devices (IED’s), and ensured that the company’s capabilities will provide
expertise in the new technology. The utilities select various IED’s to ensure to provide the main
demanding function, particular power system protection, and require the IED’s to communicate within
the substation automation system; Virelec previously have integrated substation systems using Modbus
and DNP3.0 protocols, and recently have completed IEC 61850 – based substation automation system
and providing in two more IEC 61850 projects. Further, Virelec is a leading in supplying complete
protection and control houses with including all the accessories, pre-set and commissioning ready for
delivered to the substation site.
About Cooper Power Systems
Cooper Power Systems, Inc., with 2009 revenues of approximately $1.1 billion, is a division of Cooper
Industries plc (NYSE: CBE). Cooper Power Systems is a global manufacturer of world-class power
delivery and reliability solutions for the electrical and industrial markets. Through its Energy Automation
Solutions group, it is also a leading provider of software, communications and integration solutions that
enable customers to increase productivity, improve system reliability, and reduce costs. For more
information, please visit www.cooperpower.com or www.cooperpowereas.com.
About Cooper Industries
Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global manufacturer with 2009 revenues of $5.1 billion,
approximately eighty-nine percent of which are from electrical products. Founded in 1833, Cooper's
sustained level of success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business
practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The
Company has eight operating divisions with leading market share positions and world-class products
and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosionproof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power
systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several longterm growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and
productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for
improved electrical safety. In 2009, sixty-one percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial
and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United
States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2009. For more information, visit
the website at www.cooperindustries.com.
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