The growth of renewable energy, energy storage, data centers, and other large electricity consumers is increasing the need to develop and strengthen electrical infrastructure.
In this context, electrical substations play an essential role in the transformation, protection, and distribution of electricity. At the same time, solutions such as modular substations and E-Houses are introducing new ways to design, manufacture, and install this type of infrastructure.
What is an electrical substation?
An electrical substation is a facility that is part of the power system and makes it possible to transform voltage levels, connect different lines, and manage the flow of electricity between different points of the grid.
These facilities incorporate transformation, protection, switching, metering, and control equipment that makes it possible to operate electrical infrastructure safely and adapt voltage levels to the conditions required for transmission, distribution, or consumption.
For example, a substation can increase the voltage of the electricity generated at a renewable energy plant to facilitate its transmission through the grid or subsequently reduce it to bring it closer to the levels required for distribution and consumption.
What is an electrical substation used for?
Substations perform different functions depending on their location, configuration, and role within the power system.
Their main functions include:
- Transforming voltage levels using transformers.
- Connecting different lines and elements of the power grid.
- Distributing electricity to different points of consumption.
- Protecting the facility against faults or abnormal conditions.
- Performing switching operations to connect or disconnect certain circuits.
- Measuring and monitoring different electrical parameters.
- Facilitating the control and operation of the infrastructure.
Therefore, a substation is not limited to transforming voltage. It also serves as a connection, protection, and control point within the electrical infrastructure.
How does an electrical substation work?
Its operation will depend on the type of facility, but it can be understood simply by following the path of electricity.
Energy reaches the substation through one or more power lines. Within the facility, different equipment makes it possible to transform voltage when necessary, perform switching operations, measure electrical parameters, and protect the infrastructure against potential incidents.
Equipment that may be part of a substation includes transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors, protection systems, metering equipment, and control and communication systems.
Once the necessary operations have been carried out, electricity continues to another part of the grid, an industrial facility, a consumption center, or another electrical infrastructure.
The specific configuration will depend on factors such as voltage level, power, available space, connection characteristics, and the specific needs of each project.
What types of electrical substations are there?
There is no single type of substation. These facilities can be classified according to different criteria, such as their function, voltage level, location, or technology.
For example, depending on their function, there may be substations mainly intended to increase or reduce voltage, perform switching functions, or distribute electricity.
There may also be outdoor or indoor facilities, as well as solutions in which certain electrical equipment is integrated into buildings or modules specifically designed to house it.
This latter option has gained particular interest with the development of prefabricated and modular solutions that make it possible to move part of the work traditionally carried out on-site to controlled manufacturing facilities.
What is a modular substation?
A modular substation is a solution in which part of the electrical equipment and systems are pre-integrated into one or more modules that can be manufactured, assembled, and tested before being transported to the final site.
The objective of modularization is to move part of the engineering, integration, and assembly work from the installation site to a more controlled manufacturing environment.
This does not mean that all modular substations have the same configuration. The design will depend on power, voltage levels, required equipment, environmental conditions, transportation, and the specific requirements of the project.
Within this approach are E-Houses, one of the solutions used to integrate electrical equipment into prefabricated and transportable structures.
What is an E-House?
An E-House (Electrical House) is a modular and prefabricated structure designed to house and integrate electrical, control, and automation equipment before being transported to the final site.
Depending on the project, it can integrate medium- and low-voltage equipment, electrical panels, protection and control systems, automation, communications, and other auxiliary equipment.
One of its main characteristics is that these systems can be assembled, integrated, and tested at the factory before being installed in the field, reducing part of the work traditionally carried out on-site.
The configuration of an E-House will depend on the needs of each project: it can house specific equipment for an electrical infrastructure or form part of a broader substation solution.
What advantages do E-House solutions offer?
One of the main differences compared with construction carried out entirely in the field is the possibility of moving a significant part of the integration work to the factory.
1. Off-site manufacturing and integration
Part of the assembly and integration of the equipment can be carried out at the factory while other work progresses at the site, reducing dependence on certain field activities.
2. Testing before transportation
The systems can be tested before transportation, making it possible to verify their integration before they arrive at the final site.
3. Less on-site work
By moving part of the assembly and testing to the factory, certain tasks that would otherwise have to be carried out later on-site are reduced.
4. Project-specific design
The dimensions, equipment, auxiliary systems, and characteristics of each module can be defined according to the electrical, environmental, and logistical requirements of the facility.
5. Integration of different systems
A single structure can house electrical equipment, protection, control, automation, communications, and auxiliary services, facilitating their integration within the overall infrastructure.
Modular substation vs. conventional substation
| Conventional substation | Modular solution / E-House |
|---|---|
| Greater volume of work carried out on-site | Part of the work is moved to the factory |
| Equipment integration mainly carried out in the field | Equipment pre-integrated into modules |
| Testing of different systems during on-site execution | Possibility of carrying out integration testing before transportation |
| Buildings and infrastructure mainly developed in situ | Prefabricated and transportable structures |
| The project is adapted to site conditions | The module is also designed according to the specific needs of the project |
This does not mean that one solution is always better than the other. The choice will depend on the technical, economic, logistical, and operational characteristics of each project.
Where can E-Houses and modular solutions be used?
Modular solutions can be used in projects that require efficient integration and distribution of electrical energy and where prefabrication provides advantages during execution.
Potential applications include:
- Renewable energy generation plants.
- Energy storage systems.
- Industrial infrastructure.
- Data centers.
- Electrical infrastructure and utilities.
- Facilities with space limitations or complex execution conditions.
Data centers are a particularly relevant case due to the expected growth in their electricity demand. According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity consumption by data centers could increase from around 415 TWh in 2024 to approximately 945 TWh in 2030, more than doubling in just six years.
This growth reinforces the need to develop electrical infrastructure capable of supporting the addition of new data centers.
Why will electrical infrastructure need to be reinforced?
The electrification of the economy is increasing the need for electrical infrastructure. Forecasts from the International Energy Agency indicate that global electricity demand increased by around 3% in 2025 and will grow at an average annual rate of 3.6% between 2026 and 2030, driven, among other factors, by industry, electric vehicles, air conditioning, and data centers.
This scenario involves not only developing new generation capacity, but also reinforcing the infrastructure required to transform, transmit, distribute, and manage electricity.
In this context, modular solutions represent an alternative for certain projects seeking to move part of the manufacturing, integration, and testing work away from the final site.
Greensol: electrical infrastructure and modular solutions
Greensol integrates engineering and construction capabilities for the development of energy and electrical infrastructure projects, including substations and grid connection infrastructure.
Its capabilities cover different phases of the project, from engineering and design to construction, installation, testing, and commissioning, adapting to the technical requirements of each facility.
Within this approach, modular solutions and E-Houses make it possible to integrate electrical equipment, protection, control, and communication systems into structures designed to facilitate their manufacturing, transportation, and installation at the final site.
The combination of engineering, execution, and modular solutions makes it possible to address the development of new electrical infrastructure with an integrated approach adapted to the needs of each project.
Frequently asked questions about electrical substations and E-Houses
What is an electrical substation?
An electrical substation is a facility that makes it possible to transform voltage levels, connect different parts of the grid, and perform protection, switching, metering, and control functions for electricity.
What function does a transformer perform within a substation?
The transformer makes it possible to modify the voltage level of electricity. Depending on the function of the substation, it can increase the voltage to facilitate transmission or reduce it for subsequent distribution or consumption.
What is a modular substation?
It is a solution in which some of the electrical equipment and systems are pre-integrated into modules manufactured and tested before being transported to the final site.
What is an E-House?
An E-House is a prefabricated and transportable electrical structure designed to house distribution, protection, control, automation, and other electrical systems.
Is an E-House the same as an electrical substation?
Not necessarily. An E-House is a modular structure designed to house and integrate electrical and control equipment. Depending on its configuration, it can form part of a substation or be integrated into a broader electrical infrastructure solution.
What advantages does an E-House offer?
Off-site manufacturing makes it possible to integrate and test some of the systems before transportation, reduce certain on-site work, and adapt the module to the technical and environmental requirements of each project.
