Hitachi ABB Power Grids announced the launch of its Smart Digital Substation offering, which brings together the latest in digital substation technology with the unique predictive, prescriptive and prognostic capabilities of Hitachi’s Lumada Asset Performance Management (APM) solution. Learn more from this white paper on The Next Generation Digital Substation. The Smart Digital Substation forms part of a new wave of innovation that began with the recently announced integration of Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Digital Enterprise software into Hitachi’s Lumada ecosystem.
By replacing copper wires with fiber optic cables, the Smart Digital Substation enables companies to reduce their carbon footprint with a smaller site and plan the next steps in their digital journey by employing digital technology and analytics in their operations today. The Smart Digital Substation also makes it possible to increase reliability and resilience, integrate new forms of cleaner energy and deliver energy services in smarter, safer ways ― necessities for navigating the shift towards more distributed and less predictable renewable power generation.
The integration of Lumada APM adds a layer of analytics and simulations enabling decision-makers to address issues on an asset before any disruption to operations. These analytics can be extended beyond the substation fence to assess risk and probability of substation or asset failure throughout a company’s fleet. In addition, Hitachi ABB Power Grids has a global network of digitally connected Collaborative Operations Centers (COCs) to ensure world-class customer service from experts wherever and whenever needed. Rapid-response services backed up by the COC network are core to all customer service agreements. This approach provides the foundation for a range of new digital service offerings, including the customer asset base lifecycle management program.
Security is an integral part of the Smart Digital Substation ― from product development to solution delivery. The Smart Digital Substation provides integrated control, communications, and software solutions purpose-built to balance resources, conserve cash, and increase reliability and security. Highly secure communications, using quantum-safe encryption, enable real-time connectivity, and the modular software suite seamlessly combines visibility into asset performance, maintenance history, workforce and resource location. This enables customers to improve productivity and ensure worker safety. The digital solution utilizes a defense-in-depth cybersecurity architecture based on industry standards and best practices. This improves security posture and permits network security management and maintenance throughout the substation lifecycle.
Rick Rys, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “Substations remain critical for grid reliability and resilience. Today’s digital substations bring both to new levels, while typically introducing new automation and asset management capabilities. With the launch of its new Smart Digital Substation offering, Hitachi ABB Power Grids has enhanced its asset performance management prognostics that use models of key grid assets such as transformers, wires, insulators, and other substation equipment. This offers the potential to further improve substation productivity, sustainability, and reliability.”