BAM launches prefabricated plug-and-play multifunctional substation to help accelerate electricity grid reinforcement

Bunnik, the Netherlands – BAM has introduced an innovative plug-and-play compact substation that can contribute to the urgently needed reinforcement of the electricity grid in two ways: as a component in the expansion of the medium-voltage network and as a distribution substation transforming medium voltage into low voltage. The substation is factory-built and can be connected to the grid quickly and easily on site through a plug-in connection. By reducing installation time by 75% and halving the need for specialised personnel, BAM is helping to make the deployment of approximately 50,000 additional substations by 2050 achievable in a market facing a shortage of skilled technical workers.

To mark the launch of the innovative compact substation, Jo-Annes de Bat, State Secretary for Climate and Green Growth, today symbolically connected the first unit during an event hosted by BAM at its Nieuwleusen site. The substation has been installed on BAM’s own premises, where it forms part of the charging infrastructure for electric construction equipment. Through this installation, BAM is demonstrating to grid operators and other industry stakeholders how the solution works in practice.

Carla Rodenburg, Chief Operating Officer of BAM Netherlands, said: “To accelerate the various construction challenges and, above all, to make them deliverable, we are increasingly adopting standardisation and industrialisation. The energy transition is no exception. By organising processes in a smarter and more standardised way, we can carry out more work with the same number of people while improving safety. This will become increasingly important in the years ahead.”

More work with the same workforce

At present, installing a compact substation typically requires four technicians working for two days. With the new connection method, two technicians can complete the connection in just half a day. Across the installation of thousands of compact substations, this represents a substantial reduction in labour hours, enabling significantly more work to be carried out with the same workforce.
The new approach also offers benefits for personnel working on site. Thanks to the plug-in connection and the use of lighter, more flexible cables, the work is physically less demanding. Because the substation remains closed during connection and the number of on-site activities is reduced, the risk of errors and damage is also minimised.

Over the coming decades, around 50,000 compact substations will be installed to reinforce the Dutch electricity grid as a result of the energy transition. Industrialisation and standardisation of the installation process provide an effective solution. The prefabricated plug-and-play compact substations are produced under controlled factory conditions and remain closed during on-site connection. This improves quality, enhances safety and reduces the amount of work required on site, enabling faster installation and minimising disruption to the surrounding area.

Physical resilience

BAM’s new compact substation can also contribute to strengthening the physical resilience of the electricity grid. Because the plug-and-play compact substation can be replaced within a matter of hours in the event of faults or damage, grid operators can respond more quickly and maintain a higher level of supply reliability.
The plug-and-play compact substation has been developed in close collaboration with industry partners and is currently undergoing its final testing phase. Following completion of this phase, the substations will be deployed in stages.