Technician monitoring an automated electrical substation for the digital grid
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Reinventing Substation Automation for the Digital Grid

Private 5G, Edge Computing, and advanced automation help substations evolve from isolated control assets into coordination points for a distributed, autonomous grid
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Substations were built to control the grid. Now they help coordinate it.
Not replacing proven automation. Extending it for the grid that comes next
WHY THIS “REINVENTING SUBSTATION AUTOMATION FOR THE DIGITAL GRID” CHALLENGE?

Digital substations, IEDs, IEC 61850, and SCADA modernization already improved reliability. Now renewables, storage, EVs, and distributed resources demand more data exchange, local intelligence, and coordination with dynamic grid assets

Key benefits
Substations Become Intelligent Operational Hubs
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Coordinate distributed energy with greater confidence

Substations can support interaction with renewables, battery systems, flexible demand resources and grid-edge intelligence

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Move decisions closer to the network

Edge Computing enables local decision-making and faster operational response where grid conditions are changing

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Connect automation with advanced grid platforms

Real time coordination with DERMS, ADMS and AI-assisted operational systems helps utilities manage complexity at scale

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Build resilience into distributed operations

Secure, reliable communications help substations support self-healing schemes and autonomous grid operations

How NTT DATA helps

01
Digital substation evolution strategy

Assessing how existing automation can evolve toward a distributed, intelligent operating model

Technical team monitoring digital substation systems in an industrial control room
02
Private 5G communication architecture

Communications complement fiber, private radio, and dedicated operational networks with added scale and flexibility

Private 5G communications for digital substation automation
03
Edge-enabled operational intelligence

Substations, edge platforms, and intelligent field devices connect so data can support faster local decisions

Technician inspecting edge equipment in a digital electrical substation
04
Secure operational traffic segmentation

Network slicing and security patterns separate and protect mission-critical operational processes

Secure network segmentation for mission-critical substation operations
05
Integration with advanced grid automation

Substations connect with FLISR, Advanced Distribution Automation, and DERMS — never treated as isolated assets

Technician overseeing connected substation automation in the digital grid
Utility engineers inspecting power transmission infrastructure at sunset
Proven impact
Faster detection, shorter restoration

Substations become ready for autonomous grid operations, with resilience built into every response

Results that matter
Measurable Gains From Advanced Substation Automation
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Detect faults earlier across the network

20–50% reduction in fault detection time

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Accelerate switching operations when conditions change

30–70% reduction in switching operation time

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Restore service faster after disruption

20–40% reduction in restoration time

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Reduce manual intervention and improve reliability

15–30% fewer field interventions and 15–25% higher operational efficiency

Substations, Ready to Lead the Digital Grid

Shape the conversation that builds the intelligence layer for an autonomous grid →

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