Some issues and implementation problems for digital substations in Mongolia

Digital substations, based on technologies like IEC 61850, are at the forefront of modern power grid advancements, offering enhanced automation, communication, and control capabilities. Mongolia’s Ministry of Energy initiated efforts to transition to digital substations as part of their “Smart Energy” project. However, the implementation of these advanced systems in Mongolia is not without challenges. This paper explores key implementation problems encountered during the transition to a digital substation in Mongolia, with a focus on IEC 61850 and IEC 60870 protocols, time synchronization, fiber optic devices, intelligent devices, telemechanic, SCADA, and Wide-Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS). The paper aims to identify these challenges and offer potential solutions to ensure the successful deployment and operation of digital substations in Mongolia.