The substation configuration description (SCD) file stores important configuration information that is critical to the security and safety of the smart substation. To solve the problem of management and control of the SCD file

this paper studies the life-cycle management of configuration information on smart substation in terms of function modules

key technologies and process of implementation. The management and control process consisting of version management

modification control and online monitoring of the SCD file is proposed. A role-based access control of the SCD file and three technical scenarios for online monitoring of the SCD file are then put forward. Experiments recently conducted in China are described to show the technical achievements in the management and control of the SCD file as well as the problems that still exist.