Functionality, design and benefit analysis of end-to-end digital substation

The GB transmission network faces the combined challenges of an aging installed asset base and a major shift in the generation profile towards renewable resources. Due to cost, outage times and other constraints, planning and executing the necessary transmission refurbishment and reinforcement is fast becoming a major challenge. For operational reasons, transmission outage schedules are restricted and often scheduled several years in advance, thus limiting the rate at which transmission work can be carried out. The transition to a digital substation design is considered an important strategic move in order to address the aforementioned issues and facilitate the refurbishment and reinforcement needs of the network over the coming years. This paper discusses the technical and commercial motivations to bring digital substation technology into business-as-usual practice, as well as the outlining the challenges.