The open-source hypervisor for digital substation protection and control applications is now production-ready, delivering enhanced security, real-time performance, and scalability.
SAN FRANCISCO – February 5, 2025 – LF Energy, the leading open-source foundation dedicated to accelerating the energy transition, proudly announces the release of SEAPATH 1.0, the first fully production-ready version of its pioneering open-source software hypervisor for IEC 61850 Digital Substation Automation Systems. SEAPATH (Software Enabled Automation Platform and Artifacts THerein) delivers a security-hardened, real-time virtualized environment for next-generation Virtualized Protection, Automation, and Control (vPAC) applications in power substations.
This milestone release unifies prior development branches into a single, robust platform and expands support for multiple operating systems, including Debian and Yocto. SEAPATH is now primed for broader adoption, offering deterministic performance, seamless orchestration, and long-term reliability in virtualized substation operations.
A Collaborative Approach to Digital Substations
SEAPATH represents a paradigm shift in digital substation technology, merging IT and operational technology (OT) expertise to deliver an open-source ecosystem for both software and hardware. Designed to meet the evolving needs of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs), SEAPATH ensures an agile, future-proof approach to substation virtualization.
Built on a foundation of mature, industry-proven open-source components, SEAPATH provides a vendor-agnostic, flexible solution that enables dynamic automation, real-time control, and enhanced grid resilience. The project integrates cutting-edge cybersecurity measures and undergoes rigorous daily testing—more than 700 automated tests per day—to ensure optimal performance, low-latency operations, and robust system integrity.
Industry-Wide Contributions and Governance
SEAPATH is a product of global collaboration, with key contributions from RTE, Alliander, GE Vernova, Savoir-faire Linux, Welotec, and Red Hat. The project’s Technical Steering Committee (TSC) comprises representatives from GE Vernova, RTE, Savoir-faire Linux, Schneider Electric, and Welotec, ensuring transparent governance and continuous innovation.
With a strong ecosystem of utilities, technology vendors, service providers, and hardware manufacturers, SEAPATH offers a scalable, open-source foundation supported by commercial and enterprise-grade solutions.
Real-World Deployments and Impact
SEAPATH has already been deployed successfully in both test environments and production settings. Organizations such as GE Vernova, Alliander, ABB, Red Hat, and Enedis have tested the platform, while RTE has implemented SEAPATH in live substations, demonstrating its reliability and value.
With measurable improvements in substation performance, SEAPATH is poised to become the industry standard for virtualized PAC systems, setting the stage for wider adoption across the energy sector.
Leadership Perspectives
Alex Thornton, Executive Director, LF Energy: “The digitalization of electrical substations is both a challenge and an opportunity. SEAPATH provides a transformative solution that enhances grid efficiency while laying the groundwork for future innovation. This milestone release underscores the power of open collaboration in driving the energy transition forward.”
Eloi Bail, SEAPATH Technical Steering Committee (TSC) Chair: “At its core, SEAPATH exemplifies how open-source collaboration accelerates innovation while maintaining cost efficiency. The 1.0 release is a testament to the strength of our ecosystem. I invite all stakeholders—utilities, vendors, and researchers—to contribute and shape the future of virtualized protection and control for the power grid.”
Industry Endorsements
Maxime Pelletier, RTE: “Virtual Protection Automation and Control (vPAC) is now a reality at RTE, with our first SEAPATH-based substation operating seamlessly for over a year. Encouraged by these results, we are expanding deployments, confident that SEAPATH is the future of PAC systems.”
Jan Hille, Welotec: “Welotec is proud to support SEAPATH under neutral governance, optimizing it for IEC 61850-3 Substation Servers. The 1.0 release is a major milestone for the industry, paving the way for digitalized substations at scale.”
Christophe Camelis, Enedis: “Enedis is actively evaluating SEAPATH as a foundation for our next-generation virtualized PAC systems.”
David MacDonald, GE Vernova: “SEAPATH offers a highly configurable and interoperable platform for virtualized PAC, meeting stringent real-time requirements. Our prototype deployments validate its potential to revolutionize grid automation.”
Eloi Bail, Savoir-faire Linux: “As the primary contributor to SEAPATH, Savoir-faire Linux is committed to its continued evolution, ensuring stability, security, and long-term viability. We encourage utilities and vendors to join us in shaping this vital open-source project.”
Get Involved with LF Energy and SEAPATH
LF Energy invites energy sector professionals, developers, and stakeholders to explore SEAPATH and participate in the growing community.
- Learn about LF Energy Membership: LF Energy Membership
- Explore the Interactive Landscape: LF Energy Projects
- Follow the Latest Announcements: LF Energy Blog
- Engage with the Community: LF Energy Mailing Lists
- Connect on Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn
- Access Technical Resources: GitHub | LF Energy Wiki
About LF Energy
LF Energy is a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to solving climate change through open-source collaboration. With over 60 member organizations, including Google, Microsoft, Shell, and RTE, LF Energy drives innovation in energy systems, grid modernization, and digital transformation. Learn more at LF Energy.
About The Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is the world’s premier organization for open-source software, hardware, standards, and data collaboration. Hosting critical infrastructure projects like Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, OpenSSF, and PyTorch, the foundation fosters best practices and sustainable development across industries. Visit Linux Foundation for more information.
Media Contact: Dan Brown
LF Energy
dbrown@contractor.linuxfoundation.org
+1 415-420-7880
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