The Future of Digital Substations: Insights from KEMA Labs

Smart Energy International has recently published the article “The Future of Digital Substations: Insights from KEMA Labs”, written by Antonio Boccuni, Marketing and Strategic Tools Manager at KEMA Labs and Alessandro Bertani, Director of the Global Business Unit for Services & Smart Technologies at KEMA Labs. The article provides a detailed look at how digital transformation is revolutionizing electric substations, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety.

Based on a recent episode of KEMA Labs’ podcast, recorded in their advanced semi-anechoic chambers in Milan, the article highlights a discussion between Boccuni, Marketing and Strategic Tools Manager, and Bertani, Director of the Global Business Unit for Services and Smart Technologies. Together, they explore the ongoing evolution of electric substations and how digitalization is the field.

The article explains that digital substations convert analog measurements into digital data, allowing for the elimination of redundant hardware and a reduction in the substation’s physical footprint by up to 50%. This also leads to faster commissioning and improved safety for workers. However, key challenges reshaping include ensuring interoperability between systems from different vendors, guided by IEC 61850 standards, and maintaining cybersecurity, with IEC 62443 and IEC 62351 ensuring robust data protection.

Looking to the future, the article introduces the concept of digital twins, virtual models that simulate substation behavior to prevent potential failures and enhance predictive maintenance.

KEMA Labs is committed to leading these innovations and will showcase their advancements at the upcoming Smart Grids Forum 2025, collaborating with industry leaders to shape the future of energy transmission and distribution.

Read more: The future of digital substations: Insights from KEMA Labs (smart-energy.com)