Editor's Note: This article uses an outdated perspective and definition of a software-defined substation. For an up-to-date definition, please read our new article from August 2026.
Summary Unlike renovating the entire secondary system of power substations, adding software defined functions save time and cost. Retrofitting the virtual Merging Unit running on a Substation Server offers an efficient future proof upgrade. Simply add a substation server, some sensors and the virtual Merging Unit application and get IEC61850 interoperability, advanced measurements, and a future proof platform for virtualized applications. The potential of moving towards a software defined substation:
- Due to the energy transition TSOs and DSOs move to data driven system operations
- Based on the average age of a substation, typically over 50% of legacy substations is not supporting the digitalization
- Renovation of a secondary system for a substation takes 6 months
- The upgrade of substation automation functionality can be reduced by 50-80% (roughly measured) by introducing software defined technology
Table of contents
- Challenges
- Application Example
- Virtual Merging Unit in addition to IEDs for protection
- Advantages
- Software Defined Substation
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