Abstract: Systems and methods are described for software-defined approaches to energy communication networks (ECNs). For example, electrical substations typically host many Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that monitor and/or control the state of the substations' electricity infrastructures. Critical data from the IEDs can be packaged and transmitted between multiple IEDs for proper system monitoring and control. Even modern networks that interconnect IEDs tend to manifest many limitations, ranging from setup complexity to security policies. Embodiments use novel software-defined networking techniques to address these and other limitations. In some embodiments, power system requirements (e.g., data and communications requirements of IEDs) are translated into a set of networking requirements (e.g., as central routing tables). One implementation uses a Ryu-based, software-defined network controller.