Subestaciones digitales: impulsando la sostenibilidad y ciberseguridad para el sector eléctrico a partir de soluciones emergentes

Oscar Andrés Tobar Rosero; Luis Fernando Quintero Henao; Ernesto Pérez González

doi:10.24054/rcta.v2i46.4101

Authors

Oscar Andrés Tobar Rosero Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9972-5308
Luis Fernando Quintero Henao Enterprise Innovation https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9753-5495
Ernesto Pérez González Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3491-3903

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24054/rcta.v2i46.4101

Keywords:

digital substations, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, communication systems, electric power systems, digital transformation

Abstract

The digitalization of electrical substations, guided by the IEC 61850 standard, is a key pillar in modernizing power grids toward more sustainable, efficient, and secure systems. This article examines the role of digital substations and the impact of emerging technologies, including Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Blockchain, machine learning (ML), and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), in enabling automation, real-time analytics, and resilience against cyber threats. It addresses the challenges of implementation, including the interoperability of legacy systems, cybersecurity risks, and modernization costs, particularly in emerging economies. The paper also explores opportunities for developing more decentralized and intelligent power networks, with Colombia highlighted as a reference case. The analysis provides a comprehensive view of both the barriers and advantages of these technologies in the transition toward digital, interoperable, and resilient electrical infrastructures.

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