Virtualized Digital Substations: Exploring the Design, Simulation, and Validation of the Next-Generation Power System Backbone

This thesis is motivated by the decarbonization and digitalization twin transitions affecting electrical power systems. In this context, as the backbone of power systems, electrical substations are undergoing a fundamental transformation where digital virtualization technologies play an important role. The dissertation investigates the application of virtualization technologies in digital substations, with a focus on virtualized Intelligent Electronic Devices (vIEDs) and their integration into power system design and operations. The work is structured around four axes: defining the technology concepts, justifying their relevance for digital power substations, implementing and validating them effectively, and understanding their cybersecurity and economic implications.