Challenges and Solutions for Practical Implementation of Process Bus Based Substation Protection and Automation System

The protection and control system in substations has undergone significant evolution since the era of hardwired systems. In recent years, the increasing trend of digital transformation (DX) across various fields, including protection and automation systems, has led to the promotion of IEC 61850 process bus-based digital substations. However, recent analysis and evaluation have revealed numerous challenges in various aspects, such as technical issues, system performance, test methods, maintenance, and economic considerations. Moreover, many of these challenges lie outside the scope of international standards like IEC 61850 and IEC 61869. As a result, the worldwide implementation of digital substations has been hindered. This paper aims to describe the issues encountered during the implementation of process bus technology and propose solutions that focus on optimizing system configuration based on our experience in implementing digital substation projects and developing MU and IED. Addressing these issues is crucial to fully unlocking the potential of digital substations. One of the most promising advantages is the availability of digital data collected from substation equipment. By utilizing this data, overall power system operational efficiency can be enhanced, and equipment management can be optimized. Predictive maintenance can be implemented, enabling the early detection of potential equipment failures, minimizing unplanned outages, and reducing the need for emergency repairs, which contribute to unnecessary carbon emissions and equipment downtime. Ultimately, digital substations empower end-users to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and seamlessly integrate power systems, thereby supporting the carbon-neutral initiative and facilitating the transition towards a sustainable energy future.