Key lessons from long-term LPIT experimentation to support digital and environmental transition

Transformers (LPITs) use smaller, lighter sensors to efficiently measure voltage and current in

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substations, directly addressing these challenges.

The move to digital substations marks a major technological advance, replacing analogue methods with virtualized, software-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and data accuracy. LPITs, combined with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), fiber-optic communications, and standardised protocols, support real-time monitoring and smart grid operations while reducing risks associated with high-voltage measurements.

A retrospective on the 2006 SAUMADE 245kV GIS substation highlights early efforts to deploy both conventional and non-conventional measurement technologies. Initial challenges with interoperability have since been solved by integrating LPITs under international standards

(IEC 61869), enabling greater reliability and industry adoption. Two decades of operational data show the continuous improvement and benefits of these digital solutions.

By minimizing physical infrastructure and using energy-efficient technology, digital substations contribute to sustainability and the circular economy. Their small footprint conserves land—particularly valuable offshore—and supports efforts to lower environmental impact and carbon emissions.

In summary, adopting LPITs and digital substations represents a crucial shift toward operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability in modern energy infrastructure, particularly for offshore applications. The evolution since 2006 demonstrates the reliability of technologies and their important role in the future of smart, sustainable grids.