The Benefits of Virtualizing Electrical Substations

Virtualization in Electrical Substations

A virtualized substation replaces physical, purpose-built hardware like protection relays, RTUs, and control systems with software-based equivalents. Instead of proprietary boxes, you run multiple substation functions on shared, centralized computing infrastructure. Software updates replace truck rolls. Real-time data flows over IP networks. And remote management becomes the norm.

This technique is used to optimise the management and maintenance of electrical substations, and brings numerous benefits to utilities and end users of the network, such as:

1. It allows operators to have more detailed and accurate visibility ofthe status of a substation in real-time, reducing operators’ maintenance costs in the field.

2. This real-time information and the ability to analyse it with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms, help operators identify and fix substation problems much faster as well as anticipate failures. This results in reduced downtime and thus, fewer power outages forend-users.

3. A virtual infrastructure makes it easier to simulate emergency situations and develop contingency plans, giving better visibility of potential risks and threats and therefore greater physical and cyber security to the network.

4. Finally, a virtualised substation helps companies optimise their infrastructure investment. Given that the evolution of the software is traditionally more agile and cost-effective than that of the hardware,virtualised infrastructures make it possible to update and improve substation operations more frequently, and to plan their maintenance more efficiently.

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Virtualizing a substation makes it possible to represent its operation in a digital model, in real-time. It enables the automation of processes using algorithms programmed by software that act and command the physical elements of a substation.

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Why Virtualize? The Payoff Is Real

Let’s break it down with some concrete use cases:

• Faster Commissioning: Virtualization slashes deployment time for new substations or upgrades. Instead of waiting months for hardware to arrive and install, utilities can spin up software environments in days.
• Remote Monitoring & Maintenance: Field visits become the exception, not the rule. Engineers diagnose, update, and optimize systems without leaving the operations center.
• Improved Resilience: Software-based systems can be backed up, restored, and migrated easily, reducing downtime and disaster recovery time.
• Scalability: Need to expand capacity or add new functions? Just provision new virtual machines. No need to tear up your substation.
• Cost Reduction: Long-term savings come from reduced hardware dependency, fewer site visits, and streamlined operations.

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Real-World Story: How Redeia Made the Leap

Redeia is the Spanish Transmission System Operator (TSO). In 2022 it embarked on  EPICS (Edge Protection and Intelligent Control Solution) project, to implement a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that integrates the protection and control functions of a complete substation into a unified hardware/software platform.

The goal is to achieve significant efficiencies, as well as opening the door to developing new algorithms and automation needed to evolve the electrical system in a more agile and dynamic way.

In EPICS:

• Hardware is viewed as a commodity, so the solution implemented at EPICS does not depend on a certain manufacturer's exclusive hardware or on a limited range of available products.
• Software is viewed as a service, so EPICS is a platform based on a micro-services ecosystem that is easily replicable, scalable and adaptable to different application domains.
• The platform will have orchestration layers and services which will ensure the correct performance of the micro-services.

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Conclusion

Virtualization isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about building a grid that can keep up with distributed energy, EVs, and flexibility. The old model can’t flex fast enough. Virtualization gives utilities the tools to move faster, fix smarter, and scale for what’s next. Virtualizing substations is no longer a tech dream. It’s a practical, proven path to a more resilient and responsive grid.

About Barbara

Barbara is the Edge AI Orchestration Platform for organisations seeking to overcome the challenges of deploying AI in highly distributed environments.

Barbara empowers OT managers with IT capabilities to digitize processes, enabling seamless data capture, processing, and real-time decision-making.

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Digitization teams need efficient AI orchestration, while infrastructure teams require secure modernization without disrupting existing systems. Barbara enables both, orchestrating AI applications across distributed locations, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring security, all without replacing existing components.

Our capabilities include:

.– Industrial Connectors for legacy or next-generation equipment.

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Contact us to discuss how we can help accelerate your Edge AI projects.

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