Advanced solutions for dynamic grid management

In line with its commitment to continuous improvement and power supply quality, Ormazabal has carried out a strategic project in collaboration with the electricity distribution company Saltos del Cabrera, located in the municipality of Puente de Domingo Flórez (León).

With more than 30 years of experience in the sector, Saltos del Cabrera manages electricity distribution throughout the municipality of Puente de Domingo Flórez, as well as in parts of the municipalities of Benuza (León) and Rubiana (Orense). Its network includes several transformer substations in rural areas with complex technical and operational conditions, driving its commitment to innovative solutions and digitalisation.

In this context, Saltos del Cabrera chose to incorporate smart and digitalised solutions that would enable the grid to be remotely monitored, analysed and operated, improving operational efficiency and supply stability.

Project

The project focused on two strategic transformer substations, both equipped with 630 kVA Ormazabal transforma.smart transformers with an on-load tap changer (OLTC), which had a generic, non-optimised configuration.

The technical challenge for Ormazabal was to identify and adjust the equipment configuration, analysing low-voltage grid data in detail to identify the actual voltage regulation needs and adjust the operating parameters of the OLTC (On-Load Tap Changer) to improve power quality.

Methodology applied

Thanks to the advanced capabilities of transforma.smart, a structured analysis process was carried out in several stages:

Analysis of historical data from the low-voltage grid collected by transforma.smart and the grid data concentrator.
Detection of deviations from the regulatory voltage ranges.
Definition of new setpoints adapted to the actual load conditions and grid behaviour.
Remote implementation of adjustments, with no need for physical intervention at the transformer substation.
Post-adjustment monitoring, validating the improvement by tracking quality indicators.

This approach made it possible to adjust the operating parameters, improving the response capability of the voltage regulator and ensuring more stable and efficient operation.

As a result, a 97% reduction in overvoltage and undervoltage deviations was achieved, with no need for on-site visits, demonstrating the potential of digitalisation to optimise electrical asset management.

Conclusion

The solution implemented with transforma.smart not only resolved the identified power quality issues, but also demonstrated the effectiveness of applying digital intelligence to the operation and control of transformer substations.

In environments with demanding technical conditions, this initiative has significantly improved the end-customer experience, reduced response times for incidents and provided greater visibility into grid behaviour.

The project reflects Ormazabal’s ability to combine technical expertise, data analysis and digital tools to provide solutions tailored to the actual needs of electricity distribution companies.

“As part of our strategy to modernise the medium-voltage grid and adapt to new distributed generation scenarios, we have installed two transforma.smart units with the aim of ensuring efficient management of generation flows and maintaining optimal voltage levels, with no impact on third parties. The project, developed in two phases, involved several companies, with Ormazabal playing a key role as the company responsible for the design, assembly and commissioning of both units. We are currently continuing to work together with Ormazabal on the implementation of further improvements at these facilities.”