Futuristic substation at night with remote monitoring and digital control.

Is Your Substation Ready for Remote Control? A Modernization Guide

Theo Raines in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a new method of remote control checking can revolutionize substation monitoring system retrofits, enhancing safety and efficiency."

Substation monitoring systems are the unsung heroes of our electrical grid, diligently working to keep the lights on and our devices powered. However, like any technology, these systems age and require updates to maintain their reliability and security. Retrofitting, or upgrading, these systems can be a complex undertaking, especially when it comes to ensuring the remote control functions work flawlessly.

Imagine trying to upgrade the 'brain' of a substation without interrupting its vital functions. This is the challenge engineers face when retrofitting remote control capabilities. Traditional methods can be risky, time-consuming, and may even require power outages, which nobody wants. Thankfully, a new method has emerged, promising a safer and more efficient way to modernize these critical systems.

This innovative approach focuses on a non-power cut retrofit strategy, specifically designed to tackle the challenges of remote control checking in substation monitoring systems. It offers a lifeline for aging infrastructure, ensuring that our substations remain reliable and responsive to the demands of modern energy consumption.

The Challenge: Retrofitting Without Interruption

Futuristic substation at night with remote monitoring and digital control.

Retrofitting a substation monitoring system without a power cut is like performing surgery without waking the patient. The main hurdle lies in verifying the remote control functions of critical equipment, such as circuit breakers and disconnectors, without disrupting the flow of electricity. Traditional methods often involve physically testing these functions, which can be risky and time-intensive.

In many older substations, the measuring and control devices (MACD) lack a dedicated remote control outlet plate. This means engineers can't simply plug in and test the remote control functions. They need to find a way to 'tap' into the system and verify its operation without causing a disruption. This challenge calls for a clever and carefully planned approach.

Here are some of the common pitfalls of traditional retrofit methods:

Increased risk of electrical accidents due to live testing.
Time-consuming procedures that extend the retrofit timeline.
Potential for errors when reconnecting wires after testing.
Disruptions to power supply, impacting homes and businesses.

The key is to find a method that minimizes these risks while maximizing efficiency. This new method, successfully implemented in a 500kV Ouhai substation, offers a promising solution.

Securing Our Energy Future, One Substation at a Time

The method represents a significant step forward in ensuring the reliability and responsiveness of our energy infrastructure. As technology continues to evolve, these innovative approaches will be crucial in maintaining a stable and secure power supply for everyone.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1757-899x/199/1/012096, Alternate LINK

Title: A New Method Of Remote Control Checking For Substation Monitoring System Retrofit

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: Chen Qiongliang, Chen Li, Zhang Lei, Chen Gang, Qi Feng, Xu Yale

Published: 2017-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

What does remote control checking in substation monitoring systems actually do?

Remote control checking in substation monitoring systems ensures that critical equipment like circuit breakers and disconnectors can be operated from a distance. This is crucial for quickly responding to grid changes and emergencies. Without it, operators would need to be physically present at the substation, leading to delays and potential safety hazards. This process focuses on a non-power cut retrofit strategy, specifically designed to tackle the challenges of remote control checking in substation monitoring systems.

What are the drawbacks of using older or traditional methods when retrofitting substation monitoring systems?

Traditional methods of retrofitting substation monitoring systems often involve physically testing the remote control functions, which poses several risks. These include an increased risk of electrical accidents due to live testing, time-consuming procedures, potential for errors when reconnecting wires, and possible disruptions to the power supply. In contrast, this new method minimizes these risks by implementing a non-power cut strategy.

What happens if measuring and control devices (MACD) lack a dedicated remote control outlet plate during substation retrofits?

In older substations, measuring and control devices (MACD) may lack a dedicated remote control outlet plate. This absence complicates the retrofit process because engineers can't simply plug in and test the remote control functions. Instead, they must find a way to 'tap' into the system and verify its operation without disrupting the power supply, requiring careful planning and innovative approaches. This is where this new method can improve the process.

What are the broader implications of using a non-power cut retrofit strategy for substation monitoring systems on the energy grid?

Implementing a non-power cut retrofit strategy for substation monitoring systems has significant implications for grid reliability and security. By modernizing remote control capabilities without interrupting power supply, it ensures that substations remain responsive and dependable. This is particularly important as energy demands grow and the grid becomes more complex. By ensuring the reliability and responsiveness of our energy infrastructure and as technology continues to evolve, these innovative approaches will be crucial in maintaining a stable and secure power supply for everyone.

Why is the successful implementation of this method in the 500kV Ouhai substation so important?

The method successfully implemented in the 500kV Ouhai substation represents a significant advancement because it demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of retrofitting substation monitoring systems without power cuts. This success story can serve as a model for other substations looking to modernize their remote control capabilities, contributing to a more resilient and secure energy infrastructure. The implementation of this method ensures the reliability and responsiveness of our energy infrastructure. As technology continues to evolve, these innovative approaches will be crucial in maintaining a stable and secure power supply for everyone.