Digital Substation: Opportunities and Challenges | Digital Dialogue
Digital substations in India are poised to play a significant role in achieving the country’s energy goals and modernizing the power infrastructure. They offer advanced monitoring, control, and automation capabilities that enable efficient grid management, improved reliability, and seamless integration of renewable energy sources. As digital substations continue to grow, India’s power sector is expected to benefit substantially.
WATCH this mojo4industry Digital Dialogue to understand the opportunities and challenges for digital substation.
Anand Shankar, Chief GM – Information Security, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, said, “For over a decade, there has been a gradual shift towards digitalizing activities within substations. This allows us to observe and plan actions in connected electricity networks, making coordination among various stakeholders more convenient. Given the growing number of players in the industry, a strong collaborative network is crucial for successful digital transformation. In this interconnected world, we can view it as a global village where distance is no longer a barrier.”
Anil Kadam, Director – EcoStruxure and Cyber Security, Schneider Electric; Chair – Smart Grid Division, IEEMA said, “The concept of a digital substation is a distinct approach. It involves implementing end-to-end digital solutions throughout the substation, encompassing both the switchgear and control room. This shift towards digitalization is not limited to the power sector; it takes advantage of the broader trend of digital transformation happening across various industries.”
Kadam further said, “The driving force behind this transformation is the rapid proliferation of digital technologies. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, seeking to achieve more with fewer resources and improved efficiency. Comparing substations from 20 years ago to those anticipated in the next five to ten years, the advancements and improvements will be substantial.”
When asked about his views on Digital Substations, Jovin T P, Lead Technical Application Engineer– Grid Automation India, GE VERNOVA said, “In the past, digitalization was limited to converting analog systems into digital ones. However, the approach has evolved to encompass unmanned substations, where comprehensive asset monitoring and remote system monitoring are desired. This shift is a fundamental aspect of digitalization. The benefits are significant, as it enhances individual and equipment safety but also aligns with IEC cyber security standards. These standards further fortify assets and systems’ security, providing an added layer of protection.”
Speaking about the concept of digital substitution, Manish Kumar Singh, Application Specialist – Power Utility Communication, OMICRON said, “In the future, the digital world will be the driving force, and the power industry is also embracing this digital shift. Conventional substations relied on hardware connections, including copper wires, relays, and breakers. However, the trend is rapidly shifting towards a more advanced approach, as mentioned by Jovin and other panelists. As substations transition to a single Ethernet cable-based network, this concept is extremely futuristic. This implementation is already underway, and it’s clear that in the future, all substations will likely embrace the digital approach and become digital substations.”
When asked about digital substation opportunities, Shankar said, “As mentioned earlier, we have successfully completed one generation of digital substations, and now we have progressed to the next level. Our approach is to continuously evolve with technology, and there’s no turning back to older, less advanced substations. Instead, we are continuously advancing on the networking side, moving upward with our digital substation implementations.”
Talking about the challenges, Singh said, “We are continuously developing products well-suited to testing in the digital world. Omicron has a diverse portfolio of products designed for digital substations. These products cover various aspects such as communication testing, sample values, and digital substation solutions. However, we also acknowledge that adopting this new technology is challenging. One major challenge is the limited awareness and knowledge of digital substations and the ISO 21850 standard among power system professionals. As electrical engineers, we need to equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and train our engineers to work effectively with digital substations. Another challenge lies in bridging the gap between OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology) experts. Integrating these two domains in digital substations requires careful collaboration and understanding between the two teams. Furthermore understanding the intricacies of the IC 61850 standard is crucial, as digital substations rely heavily on Ethernet-based communication. Having a solid grasp of this standard is essential for comprehending digital substation complexities and ensuring their successful implementation.”
Speaking about the opportunities and challenges, Jovin said, “Currently, there are numerous opportunities arising, especially in the renewable and solar sectors, to implement digitalization. Transmission segments are also moving towards unmanned substations, creating various avenues for advancement. I am particularly interested in the potential for individuals to learn various technologies, specifically in protection and communication.”
Jovin further said, “Despite having many projects in the pilot stage, commercial digital SCADA and SAS are yet to catch up. Consequently, digital solutions are compared with conventional SAS on a one-to-one basis, making digital alternatives appear more expensive. However, it’s essential to consider overall costs, including operational expenses, fault troubleshooting, spare parts replacement, architecture maintenance, drawings, and size reduction. When all these factors are taken into account, the digital solution becomes more comparable to conventional SAS in terms of cost-effectiveness.”
“Currently, there are numerous opportunities arising, especially in the renewable and solar sectors, to implement digitalization. Transmission segments are also moving towards unmanned substations, creating various avenues for advancement. I am particularly interested in individuals’ potential to learn about emerging technologies, specifically protection, and communication.” Jovin shared.
Kadam said, “Undoubtedly, digital substations have evolved from being a mere want to an essential need. Digital substations are imperative to manage dynamicity and enhance efficiency. As we are in the early stages of technology adoption in India, it becomes crucial to embrace this transformation rapidly. We can look up to Power Grid, which has already implemented this technology in numerous substations. By adapting and experimenting with digital substations, we can propel power infrastructure advancement.”
Singh said, “Indeed, as rightly mentioned, the power industry recognizes the necessity of transitioning to digital substations. During our discussion of opportunities and challenges, we acknowledged that challenges often present growth opportunities. We continuously learn from current system implementations and improve based on those insights. Omicron has gained valuable knowledge and developed comprehensive testing solutions for digital substations. We are constantly evolving and incorporating feedback to address challenges during the transition. In conclusion, digital substations look promising. With ongoing advancements and continuous improvements, the path ahead is bright for this digital transformation in the power industry.”
Jovin said, “The technology of digital substations is continuously evolving, offering numerous opportunities in the renewable and transmission sectors. However, these opportunities come with challenges, such as adapting to evolving technologies and building competency for testing and implementation. Fortunately, supporting this transition has advantages. Testing tools from companies like Omicron and other vendors are readily available, streamlining testing and maintenance processes. These tools enable more efficient digital substation operations.”
While concluding the webinar, Shankar said, “Certainly, the prevalence of these two substations is remarkable, and we can expect to witness an increasing trend of process substations in various locations. Power Grid has undoubtedly spearheaded the implementation of process substations, which represents a significant evolution in the field. However, there are challenges to address, particularly in cyber security and skill sets that blend both OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology). These challenges are areas of focus as we move forward.”
