Virtualization in Power Grids: Foundations, Real-World Deployments, and Future Pathways

In this article, we establish the theoretical foundations of virtualization in power grids, emphasizing its benefits and addressing future challenges. The studies present pioneering results from virtualized control applications implemented in digital substation environments and full-scale grid-forming converters, all deployed in real-world scenarios and full-scale power hardware in the loop setups. This work, resulting from a substantial collaboration between industry leaders and utility providers, underscoring the practical feasibility and transformative potential of virtualization in power grids. The development and integration of these virtualized control applications highlight their scalability, practicality, multivendor interoperability, real-time grid management, and enhanced cybersecurity within power grids. The insights and lessons learned from these efforts provide a comprehensive framework and pave the way for future advancements in power grids and virtualization.