Transforming the energy future
July 25, 2023
The Role of Digitalization in the Evolution of Electrical Substations
Today, “smart” energy networks demand higher levels of communication, making digitalization the next step in the evolution of electrical substations. This shift not only changes how we conceive electrical infrastructure, but also opens new possibilities for the energy sector, improving security, reliability, interoperability, and real-time performance.
The implementation of digital substations is already a reality, and Chile is no exception, although only a few have fully adopted this technology. However, the advantages over traditional substations will continue to drive their development.
“Digital substations are revolutionizing the electrical transmission sector, transforming the conventional system we know today,” explains Diego Clavería, Commercial Manager at Equans Chile. The main difference from a traditional substation lies in how the control and protection system is implemented, which serves as the “brain” of the substation.
According to Luis Gutiérrez, Director of Civil Engineering in Energy at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI), in conventional substations, yard equipment is connected to the main control room through copper wiring, linking devices to protection and control systems inside the control room.
In this setup, no communication exists between the devices, and only electrical signals are transmitted. However, in digital substations, the control and protection system relies on communication architectures, where specialized equipment converts analog readings into digital signals. These digital signals are then transmitted via fiber optics, using communication protocols between yard equipment and control and operation systems in the substation rooms.
Cost Savings, Greater Efficiency, and Optimized Maintenance
The transition to digital substations brings several benefits that explain why this trend is gaining momentum.
“In terms of construction, digital substations represent a significant improvement, as communication systems reduce the need for copper wiring, lowering the amount of ducts and conduits required for conductors. This results in a reduction in civil works and faster construction timelines,” emphasizes Diego Clavería (Equans).
This view is shared by Luis Gutiérrez (CENTRA UAI), who notes that from an engineering perspective, digital substation projects are far simpler, as they eliminate the need for point-to-point wiring design between each piece of equipment.
“Fiber optic communication eliminates electromagnetic interference within the substation, making the system more reliable. Additionally, fewer cables mean lower costs, faster commissioning, and easier maintenance,” he adds.
Operational Efficiency and Faster Response Times
According to Clavería, digitalization enables real-time monitoring and control, allowing for early fault detection and prompt corrective actions to maintain operational continuity.
Other benefits include:
- Improved worker safety by eliminating analog conductors, reducing installation and maintenance risks
- Greater flexibility for integrating new equipment, such as additional switchgear, transmission lines, or transformers
- Lower maintenance needs, as predictive maintenance systems can be implemented using sensors and data analytics, allowing issue detection before failures occur
Condition-Based Maintenance: A Critical Shift
According to Carlos Steiner, Business Manager at ABEI Argentina & Chile, maintaining a substation is crucial for system reliability.
“Condition-based maintenance is increasingly necessary, as it enhances asset reliability while reducing costs,” Steiner explains.
He suggests digitalizing assets and incorporating basic and advanced sensor data into expert software, which can diagnose substation conditions in real-time and evaluate the overall health index of all substations and their key components.
“Traditionally, maintenance is performed in phases throughout the year to avoid taking the entire substation out of service. However, digitalization allows for targeted interventions, improving reliability while minimizing downtime,” he adds.
IEC 61850: A New Standard for Substation Communication
Electrical substations typically use various communication protocols for data transmission and device interaction. However, in digital substations, the leading standard is IEC 61850, introduced in 2004, which revolutionized substation communication.
“IEC 61850 provides a standard framework for communication, data exchange, and control between substation devices, including protection relays, measurement equipment, controllers, and monitoring systems. It is based on Ethernet and TCP/IP messaging, offering standardized data structures and a common configuration framework for substation operations,” explains Miguel Marchese, Commercial Manager at Techvalue.
This standard defines essential aspects such as:
- Device functionality descriptions
- Communication guidelines between substation components
- Data transmission protocols and required speeds
By ensuring priority data transmission over Ethernet, IEC 61850 eliminates unpredictable delays, significantly enhancing substation efficiency and reliability.
Luis Gutiérrez (UAI) highlights that this protocol not only enables communication between yard and control room equipment, but also allows control room devices to communicate with each other.
“For example, a current measurement from a substation yard can be digitized and transmitted using IEC 61850. The data reaches the control room, where an overcurrent relay analyzes it and decides whether to take action. The same reading could be shared with other relays, enabling data-based interconnectivity instead of traditional electrical connections,” he explains.
Additionally, IEC 61850 requires all manufacturers to standardize their protocols, allowing substations to integrate equipment from different brands—something previously difficult and uncommon.
Other communication protocols used include:
- DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol) – Used in substation automation and capable of operating in low-bandwidth or high-latency networks
- MODBUS – Common in industrial applications, enabling LAN/WAN communication with multiple interfaces (RS-485, TCP/IP)
- HSR (High-Availability Seamless Redundancy) & PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol) – Ensure network redundancy and high availability in Ethernet-based substation communication
- PTPv2 (Precision Time Protocol v2) & IEEE 1588v2 – Synchronize data networks for substation operations
Key Considerations for Substation Digitalization
“In general, digital substations play a key role in improving efficiency, reliability, and security within electrical distribution systems. They also enable renewable energy integration and smart grids, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy system,” summarizes Miguel Marchese (Techvalue).
However, implementing a digital substation requires:
- Thorough evaluation and planning (cost-benefit analysis, compatibility studies)
- Careful execution to ensure successful implementation and configuration
- Appropriate communication infrastructure to facilitate integration
Marchese explains that digitalization projects are typically deployed when building new substations or expanding existing ones.
Luis Gutiérrez (UAI) agrees, noting that replacing copper wiring with fiber optics in an operational substation is not always feasible due to the need for continuous availability. However, in new projects, digitalization is essential.
“Many companies are purchasing digital-ready equipment but are still using traditional wiring. The shift requires trust, industry adoption, and leadership from engineering firms to drive this innovation forward,” Gutiérrez states.
While still in its early adoption phase, digital substations will continue evolving, reshaping Chile’s energy landscape in the coming years.
Read the full article in Revista EI.