Summary

The Spanish Transmission System Operator (TSO) has developed a resilient telecommunications infrastructure to ensure secure electricity transmission and operational reliability. The goal of this paper is to describe the evolution from legacy TDM-based systems to a modern multiservice IP/MPLS network capable of supporting both critical low-bandwidth applications, such as telemanagement and protection, and high-bandwidth real-time services, including video and VoIP.

The network design follows the ENTSO-E N-1 reliability criterion and employs Virtual Private

Routed Networks (VPRNs) to provide hierarchical routing, traffic isolation, and scalability across substations. Circuit emulation techniques have been implemented to guarantee continuity of teleprotection and differential protection services during migration, while IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol ensures accurate synchronization for time-sensitive applications, reducing dependence on GNSS sources.

Key methods include the deployment of MPLS routers, service grouping through VPRNs, circuit emulation for legacy interfaces, and dedicated synchronization services. Cybersecurity and quality of service are addressed through firewalls, whitelisting, and pseudo-wire paths for jitter-sensitive traffic.

Results demonstrate that the IP/MPLS infrastructure achieves performance comparable to traditional circuit-switched systems, maintaining low latency, minimal bit errors, and stable synchronization. The network successfully integrates diverse corporate and operational services while ensuring high availability, security, and adaptability to future demands.

Additional informations

Publication type Session Materials
Reference D2_11644_2026
Publication year
Publisher CIGRE
Country Spain
Study committees
File size 506 KB
Price for non member 30 €
Price for member 30 €

Authors

FEIJOO MARTÍNEZ Juan Ramón - Redeia, Spain; PERALTA VICENTE Bruno - Redeia, Spain; DELGADO ÁLVAREZ José María - Redeia, Spain

Implementation and Deployment of Multiprotocol Services into a MPLS Critical Infrastructure Network