Captec developed its KeLVN
low-power wireless monitoring platform for retrofit deployment across more than 520 substations and approximately 11,000 sensor points. Following the three-year program, work is being prepared for an initial phase of approximately 2,000 units, subject to Ofgem approval, with a potential further phase of around 4,000 units being developed for future submission.
A UK electricity distribution network operator (DNO) serving approximately five million people across North West England. Responsible for thousands of substations and network assets, the organization invests in smarter infrastructure to improve network visibility, reliability, safety, and long-term asset management while supporting the UK’s ongoing transition to net zero.
Legacy substations pre-dated remote monitoring, providing limited visibility of operating conditions without periodic inspection
Electrification, EV adoption and rising temperatures increased loading and the need for equipment monitoring
With no suitable commercial platform, existing assets required a non-intrusive retrofit enabling rapid, all-weather operation and simple sensor mounting
The system had to withstand −20°C to +85°C, operate for 5 years on battery power and communicate wirelessly through a local hub
The Solution
Captec’s KeLVN platform utilizes a highly efficient hardware and software stack, minimizing power consumption, enabling low-power sensors and a local wireless hub to achieve a minimum 5-year battery life
Wire-free sensors provide accurate, non-intrusive measurement of transformer and ambient temperatures, voltages and currents, with support for additional sensor types
Magnetically mounted, IP67-rated sensors measure transformer surface temperature through the mounting interface, enabling rapid, non-intrusive installation, with cable-tie mounting available for other sensor locations
The hub incorporates optimized mobile cellsite selection to transmit collected data
The Outcome
A measurement testing program over 3 years demonstrated remote monitoring across more than 520 existing substations without replacing legacy infrastructure
Approximately 11,000 sensor points provided daily substation parametric data, supporting the modeling and characterization of substation performance to help identify early indicators of potential failure
Following the testing program’s success, the platform architecture will be rolled out to replace obsolete components and support continued deployment
Work is being prepared for an initial phase of approximately 2,000 units, subject to Ofgem approval, with a potential further phase of around 4,000 units being developed for future submission Custom training was developed to help onsite teams deploy and commission the system efficiently as the rollout expands
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