In the three levels of process layer, bay layer, and station control layer, the research on digital substation automation systems is gradually developing from bottom to top. Currently, the main research content is concentrated in the process layer, such as the research and development of technologies and equipment like intelligent switchgear, optical current transformers, and condition monitoring. Foreign countries have accumulated mature experience, while domestic universities, research institutes, and related manufacturers have invested considerable manpower in development and research, and have made substantial progress in some aspects. However, the main existing problems can be summarized as follows:
(1) Professional collaboration needs to be strengthened during the research and development process. For example, the research on intelligent electrical appliances involves at least three disciplines: mechanics, electronics, and optics, which need to work together;
(2) Defects in materials and components, as well as their improvement;
(3) Test equipment, testing methods, and inspection standards, especially EMC (electromagnetic interference and compatibility) control and testing, remain weak links.
Digital substation automation is a systematic project. To achieve all the functions of digital substation automation, many technical problems still need to be solved. The author believes that in the near future, digital substation automation systems will usher in a period of vigorous development.
