The Gridspertise Group monitoring and control ecosystem offers a comprehensive approach to modernizing low-voltage networks

The energy transition is progressing in Spain with record historical highs in renewable generation within the electricity system, both in renewable production, with 148,999 GWh generated in 2024, and in the percentage, it represents in the electricity mix, reaching 56.8%. With the rise of renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, our power grids face new challenges, especially at the Low Voltage (LV) level, which connects homes and businesses to the larger power network. As more households generate their own electricity and electric vehicles become more common, managing the power flow becomes increasingly complex.

To meet these challenges, grids need to be smarter, more flexible and resilient.  
 
In this context, our Group is transforming monitoring and control, innovating in the low-voltage grids management for a sustainable future. Our LV SCADA system and edge computing solutions enhance the efficiency and reliability of low-voltage grids by enabling real-time data collection, monitoring, and remote control.   

Why LV Grids Need a Digital Upgrade

The integration of renewables strains aging infrastructures, requiring grid digitalization and modernization. Traditionally designed for one-way power flow, LV grids are now faced with bidirectional flows, where electricity moves both from the grid to consumers and from consumers back to the grid. This shift presents multiple challenges due to the integration of renewable energy sources and smart technologies: power quality issues and complex load management, as electric vehicles and smart appliances create unpredicted consumption patterns. 
 
Traditional grid management methods are insufficient for this complexity. Distribution System Operators (DSOs) need real-time visibility and control over LV grids, but many systems lack the necessary digital infrastructure. Advanced digital tools like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and edge-computing devices are essential to address these needs.

SCADA Systems for LV Grid Operation

SCADA systems enable real-time grid monitoring and control, creating a digital twin of the grid through data from sensors and smart meters. This visibility helps identify quickly faults, direct maintenance, and minimize outages, enhancing reliability. SCADA systems are vital for managing LV networks, improving service quality metrics like System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). They also offer operators real-time data collection for trend analysis, forecasting, and upgrades. Strong security features protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access. 

Edge Computing for Decentralized Distribution Network Management

Integrating smart meter data and grid measurements is essential for LV grid monitoring but faces scalability and interoperability challenges. Edge-computing devices process data locally, reducing the burden on central control centers and speeding up decision-making. They can autonomously detect faults, adjust power flow, and balance the grid. In the event of large-scale critical events, such as overloads or fluctuations caused by decoupling on the medium-voltage grid, edge devices can isolate portions of the circuit at a local level. This ensures service continuity in unaffected areas and prevents a domino effect.

Combining SCADA with edge computing creates an adaptive ecosystem, enhancing real-time monitoring, fault management, and supporting renewable energy and electric vehicles. This makes LV grids more flexible, reliable, and efficient, paving the way for a smarter, sustainable energy future.

An Ecosystem for LV Grid Monitoring and Control 

Gridspertise Group addresses these challenges with a comprehensive suite of advanced hardware and software solutions, enabling DSOs to efficiently monitor, manage, and optimize LV grids.   By leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions, we have developed an innovative ecosystem for monitoring and controlling LV grids, ensuring they can handle the demands of today and tomorrow. 

In the dynamic world of energy distribution, Gridspertise Group is at the forefront with its innovative solutions for LV grid monitoring and control. They include the edge-intelligent platform for substation virtualization Quantum Edge® device smart street boxes for LV line monitoring and control, and smart meters. 

LV Grid Monitoring and control 

At the heart of this ecosystem is the advanced LV SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platform. It collects real-time data from smart devices installed across the grid, such as sensors on transformers and smart meters. 

By integrating this data with Geographic Information System (GIS), the platform creates a dynamic digital twin of the grid, providing DSOs with a clear, real-time view of the network’s status. This helps quickly identify and respond to outages, optimize maintenance schedules, and allocate resources more efficiently. 

The LV SCADA platform is designed to be interoperable with existing systems, reducing the need for costly infrastructure overhauls. Its flexibility also allows operators to monitor network assets, access data from Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), and register manual operations from any connected device.  

The smaller version of our QEd is a compact and modular device, that, thanks to its embedded virtualization technology can cover multiple use cases, enhancing the Low Voltage Grid, optimizing operative costs and boosting reliability

The solution can collect data and measurements coming from sensors and smart meters and send them for display on a cartographic map to our Low Voltage SCADA, acting as an intermediary between the field and the central data management system.  
 
The high granularity of information can be sent to an external Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) for identifying and preventing issues, enhancing visibility over LV grid to improve SAIDI performance.

The smaller version of QEd helps utilities in predicting demand trends and planning grid expansions thanks to its historical data analysis and reports, increasing the decision-making process of utilities. 

Recent events in Spain and Portugal have highlighted the importance of real-time visibility and local responsiveness. Our LV SCADA system, in combination with the smaller version of QEd, enables the immediate identification of outages and the distributed management of countermeasures, reducing systemic downtime.

Smart Street Boxes and Smart Meters

Smart Street Boxes and smart meters are other solutions integrating Gridspertise Group’s ecosystem for LV Grid Monitoring and Control. The Smart Street Box project aims to bring remotely controllable switchgear to the streets, allowing DSOs to localize and isolate faults more efficiently. It also enables remote network reconfiguration to balance loads and prevent outages. 

At the other end of the low-voltage grid are smart meters. Our smart meters provide detailed consumption data and network status updates. They enhance grid visibility down to the customer level. For example, they can act as sensor sharing valuable information of the grid. A meaningful example of such information is the “last gasp” signal that indicates that the meter power supply has been interrupted, indicating a potential fault on the network and allowing for faster recovery actions. The real-time availability of last gasp events improves visibility into network health and ensures a more efficient and responsive approach to grid management strategy, even during power outages.  

Building a smart and more sustainable grid

The Gridspertise Group ecosystem is a comprehensive approach to modernizing LV grids. By integrating advanced monitoring systems, intelligent edge devices, and smart meters, the Group empowers DSOs to improve grid reliability and operational efficiency, enhance power quality, reduce outages, support the growing integration of renewable energy sources, and ensure a flexible, sustainable energy future. 
 
With this integrated ecosystem, we are not only addressing current challenges but also paving the way for a smarter, more resilient electrical grid that can support the evolving energy landscape.  The digital transformation of LV grids is crucial to achieving a more sustainable energy future. As the energy transition accelerates, Gridspertise Group is leading the way, preparing power grids for the challenges of tomorrow.

Read the original article in Spanish