Expertise Development in Innovative Technologies for Next-Generation Substations

This paper describes how Svenska kraftnät is preparing for next generation substations by combining digital substation technologies with structured expertise development and knowledge management. The main challenge is not only technical (IEC 61850 process bus, time synchronization, networking), but also organizational: fragmented asset information, inconsistent documentation practices, and limited reuse of engineering knowledge across projects. A digitalization program was established with three coordinated workstreams: (1) a system independent asset information model integrated into enterprise IT/OT environments; (2) automated condition monitoring using reusable ingestion agents and an enterprise disturbance/condition analytics platform; and (3) a digital substation pilot implementing IEC 61850 process bus, standardized engineering templates, RACI based remote supervision workflows, and lab supported training. Results include improved data quality through reduced free text attributes, scalable near real time condition data collection, enhanced disturbance analysis, and a repeatable training and testing setup that supports multi-vendor digital substation deployment. Together, these measures enable faster project execution, safer operations, and scalable competence development as grid expansion accelerates.