We were the first company to launch digital substations, featuring centralized control and protection systems, the use of new technologies, and fiber optic connections.

In 2021, the Lorena substation (SP) began operations, marking a significant milestone in the electric sector towards developing the Substation 4.0 concept. The project involved the implementation of digital systems utilizing technologies such as big data and fiber optic connections.

This substation has the capacity to supply two cities the size of São José dos Campos (SP) and has doubled the energy supply for the Vale do Paraíba region, which includes a redundant system.

Learn more about the digital substation

Substation 4.0

In 2023, we launched the Substation 4.0 in Jaguariúna (SP), featuring fully digital and centralized management. This substation includes a completely digital and centralized system for protection, control, automation, monitoring, communication, and asset management.

This asset integrates with the electrical supply system for the metropolitan region of Campinas, enhancing service to a key hub for technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and food production.

Benefits of a digital substation

• Centralization of control and protection systems processed on a robust unified computational platform.
• Protection, control, automation, monitoring, communication, and asset management all in one location, simplified with redundancy and reliability.
• Replacement of copper cables with fiber optics, enabling operation on an intelligent and integrated network through digital circuits for data traffic.
• Use of smaller equipment, allowing for a 50% reduction in physical space and decreased waste generation.

In the future, more digital substations will be developed by ISA ENERGIA BRASIL.

Pioneering initiative in Brazil marks a significant step for new business development

Located in Registro (SP), the project consists of battery systems with a capacity of 30 MW, capable of delivering 60 MWh of energy for two hours. This solution prevents the activation of diesel generators, equivalent to avoiding the use of 350,000 liters of fuel.

In addition to being less polluting, it operates much quieter than generators and eliminates the need for diesel transportation to ensure continuous equipment supply, contributing to the decarbonization of the system. It is projected that, within two years of operation, the initiative will prevent the emission of 1,194 tons of greenhouse gases (GHG).

The pioneering approach in this area offers competitive advantages for our company, enabling participation in the emerging energy storage market. According to the study "Battery Storage – Applications and Relevant Issues for Planning" by the Energy Research Company (EPE), the global storage market is expected to receive investments of $660 billion by 2040.

Project integrating transmission lines with aerial, submarine, and underground sections opens doors for offshore wind farm construction.

The completion of the Biguaçu Electric Interconnection (IE) in 2022 marks a significant milestone for transmission projects in Brazil. This project’s main innovation lies in the integration of transmission lines featuring aerial, submarine, and underground segments.

The venture strengthens energy supply for Florianópolis (SC) and surrounding metropolitan areas, featuring a 230 kV transmission line with two circuits, each 28 kilometers long. The submarine section spans 13 kilometers, bridging the mainland to the island, utilizing construction techniques to minimize sediment disturbance and ensure the restoration of the seabed morphology in Baía Norte.

The solutions implemented in the Biguaçu IE project are particularly relevant given the opportunities arising from the construction of offshore wind farms, facilitated by advancements in Brazil's regulatory framework. With this asset, our company gains invaluable experience for the development and operation of similar transmission projects.

The use of drones for the maintenance of our systems provides greater safety and reliability.

With this technology, we minimize the need to interrupt transmission service, reduce the time required to remove objects or foreign bodies from transmission lines, and decrease the time needed for inspections, as well as limit our employees' exposure to the risks associated with working at heights.

This initiative was developed through the Research and Technological Development Program (R&D), regulated by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), and is part of our Maintenance Productivity Innovation Program.

• Incinerator Drone:
  Incinerates objects that fall on transmission lines and could affect the electricity supply to society, such as balloons and kites. This technology provides greater safety for employees and operations, as well as reducing the time for object removal by 80%.
• Cable-Launching Drone:
  Used in project construction to launch cables, it avoids the need to clear vegetation. This technology offers increased agility and safety in the construction and maintenance of assets.
• Right-of-Way Inspection:
  This technology significantly enhances the accuracy regarding the need for tree trimming near transmission lines, providing greater efficiency and safety.
• Digital Image Analysis Center (CAID):
  A new concept and architecture for the digitization of aerial inspection activities of assets performed by drones. We gain in safety, as it replaces the need for technical teams to climb towers, and improves efficiency.

Greater Reliability in the Operations Center

The project includes alarm management to support the identification of anomalies in our system. With this initiative, we achieve:

• Increased safety and agility in maneuvers for asset control.
• Enhanced reliability, productivity, and auditability in the execution of coordinated maneuvers between the Transmission Operations Center (COT) and the facilities.

Additionally, this initiative features a tele-assistance project that equips substations with complementary technological resources, such as video monitoring. This improves operational reliability via the Operations Center and reduces the need for on-site visits to the substations.

Communication System for Maneuvers and Operations

The Zaccx system simplifies and optimizes the execution of operational instructions in a safe, collaborative, and auditable manner between operations centers throughout the entire intervention cycle.

Learn more about the solution.

Benefits of the Initiative

• Reduction of approximately 20 phone calls and a 41% decrease in the time taken for each maneuver.
• Estimated potential savings of R$1.4 million per year, focusing on operational efficiency in maneuver coordination.