Virtual substations: The future of grid control
Jurgen Resch from COPA-DATA highlights how virtual substations enhance protection, automation, and control (PAC) with cutting-edge software.
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Virtualisation reshapes substation automation with scalable, software-driven solutions for smarter, greener, and more resilient energy systems.
As energy systems become more digital, decentralised, and sustainable, virtual substations are emerging as a transformative force in substation automation. According to Jurgen Resch, Industry Manager at COPA-DATA, virtualisation is redefining protection, automation, and control (PAC) by replacing traditional hardware with agile, software-driven solutions.
A virtual substation uses software-based PAC functions, hosted on central servers via virtual machines (VMs) and managed by hypervisors. This reduces the physical hardware footprint, simplifies maintenance, and increases flexibility and scalability—key advantages as grids face rising complexity from Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like wind and solar.
COPA-DATA’s zenon Energy Edition supports this evolution with full IEC 61850 compliance, seamless redundancy, role-based access, and real-time control. Its vendor-neutral architecture enables integration across systems, while preconfigured templates reduce engineering time and errors.
Virtual substations also enhance resilience. Though fewer servers may seem less robust than numerous IEDs, virtual environments use distributed VMs and containers with built-in redundancy, achieving comparable reliability. The transition demands a mindset shift—from physical components to virtualised resources.
Challenges remain, especially around system availability, but virtualisation offers compelling benefits: cost savings, enhanced cybersecurity, and real-time data analytics. With IEC 61850 enabling interoperability and real-time messaging, utilities are better equipped to manage future demands.
As the sector prepares for wider adoption, virtual substations offer a smarter, greener path to a reliable and efficient energy future.
Source: Middle East Utilities
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