Digital electrical substations (DESs) represent a significant development for the electrical industry. New communication technologies and architectures have emerged alongside the development of DESs. This paper presents an analysis of typical communication architectures used in DESs. In addition, some optimization alternatives are identified, assessing the possible impacts on companies. Experimental tests were conducted in a laboratory to support the analysis performed in this research. Finally, some emerging topics and technologies supporting infrastructure optimization and technological adaptability are included. This study has revealed various impacts that companies must consider to effectively incorporate these architectures into the design and implementation processes of DESs. Finally, effective cybersecurity and access control policies should be implemented across all components of a DES to ensure successful implementations.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming global industries. However, Latin America faces significant challenges in adopting these technologies. Particularly, small- and medium-sized enterprises constitute the backbone of the economy in the region. This study analyzes the technological gap between Latin America and more developed regions, focusing on public policies, infrastructure, and gap-closing training. Based on a systematic literature review and secondary data analysis, this research highlights key indicators such as digital infrastructure, investment in research and development, and the effectiveness of government strategies in promoting Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Results reveal that Latin America lags behind Europe and Asia in applications related to Internet of Things, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. However, there are opportunities for improvement through targeted public policies, increased investment in research and development, and enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors. The study concludes that bridging the digital divide requires a holistic approach that includes improving infrastructure, fostering digital skills, and creating favorable regulatory environments. This research stands out from similar studies by providing a detailed analysis of the regional barriers to adopting Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 and offering concrete recommendations for policymakers.

Ensuring stability and power quality is a key challenge in modern power systems, and frequency regulation plays a crucial role in maintaining reliability. Primary Frequency Regulation (PFR) is the first response mechanism to disturbances, restoring frequency within the defined operational limits. In this regard, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have emerged as a highly effective solution for PFR because of their rapid response times, the ability to provide instant power support, and additional benefits such as equipment lifespan extension and improved operational flexibility. This paper examines the integration of BESS into a thermal power plant in Colombia. The study starts by evaluating various battery technologies to establish the BESS model and proposes a new methodology to enhance the performance of the PFR. Using real-time (RT) simulations, the dynamic response of the system and the feasibility of implementing BESS are evaluated. The results demonstrate that incorporating BESS improves system stability, reliability, and operational security. Furthermore, the proposed approach has significant potential for broader applications, including distributed energy resources and microgrid stabilization.

La digitalización del sector eléctrico ha transformado la arquitectura operativa de las subestaciones, promoviendo el uso de estándares como IEC 61850 para lograr interoperabilidad y eficiencia en la transmisión de datos críticos. No obstante, esta evolución ha expuesto nuevos vectores de ataque que comprometen la integridad y disponibilidad de los sistemas de automatización. En este contexto, las Redes Definidas por Software (SDN) emergen como una alternativa tecnológica para incrementar la resiliencia cibernética y optimizar la gestión del tráfico en entornos de misión crítica. Este artículo presenta un estudio experimental sobre la integración de SDN en subestaciones digitales mediante una arquitectura híbrida que combina dispositivos SDN y de comunicaicón tradicionales. Se implementó una metodología dual basada en simulaciones con Mininet y pruebas físicas en un entorno de laboratorio que replica condiciones reales. Se evaluaron métricas técnicas como latencia GOOSE, integridad de SV, tiempo de detección de anomalías y capacidad de reconfiguración dinámica bajo escenarios de ataque. Los resultados demuestran que SDN permite cumplir con los requisitos temporales del estándar IEC 61850, incluso ante amenazas activas, y facilita la segmentación lógica y el control centralizado de flujos críticos. La arquitectura híbrida se valida como una solución escalable, adaptable y compatible con infraestructuras existentes. Se concluye que SDN representa un habilitador estratégico para la automatización segura de subestaciones inteligentes, y se proponen líneas de investigación futura basadas en inteligencia artificial, y estándares de ciberseguridad.