On 24 July 2025, HEDNO successfully completed the installation of advanced sensors for the “Physical Security Enhancement in Core Network Components” use case at the Greek pilot site. This implementation focuses on Primary HV/MV and Secondary MV/LV Substations and aligns with the project plan and the end-of-July milestone.

Strengthening Substation Security

This use case aims to mitigate and prevent incidents such as vandalism and theft at MV/LV substations by installing sensors, including infrared (IR) radar devices. In the event of an attack or unauthorized physical intrusion, the sensors immediately send an alert signal to the Distribution System Operator (DSO), enabling a swift response and reducing downtime. This proactive approach helps minimize potential power losses and shorten service interruptions for affected customers.

How the System Works

The installed sensors feature two main monitoring functions:

1. Voltage monitoring on the secondary winding of the transformer.
2. Detection of human presence within the substation area.

If both conditions are met—no voltage and detected human presence—the system interprets it as a potential theft attempt and sends an immediate alert. Alerts are also triggered if only one condition is met (e.g., unauthorized presence detected by radar), ensuring comprehensive surveillance.

Advanced Monitoring Tools

In addition, partners have been provided with tablets running a dedicated application that allows real-time monitoring of the status of three transformers. The application also supports exporting event history in HTML format, offering better traceability and reporting. All devices have been tested and confirmed to be fully operational and successfully communicating with the application.

This milestone marks an important step in enhancing the physical security of critical energy infrastructure, contributing to improved resilience and reliability of the network.