Veitur Utilities Ordered Ensto Maviko’s Smart Secondary Substations for Iceland’s Harsh Climate Conditions

Customer Cases
Veitur Utilities ordered Ensto Maviko’s smart secondary substations for Iceland’s harsh climate conditions.

Iceland's climate is maritime and changes quickly and often. Therefore, the equipment of electricity network must withstand ever-changing weather conditions, strong winds and possible earthquakes.

Ensto Maviko's smart compact secondary substations are made to withstand and ensure continuous power supply in electricity distribution, even in the most challenging climate conditions. The substations also provide a versatile platform for a modern and smart power grid, as well as wind power and industries.

Iceland’s largest distribution system operator Veitur Utilities was convinced of the durability and climate requirements of Ensto Maviko's smart substations, as well as their readiness to manufacture completely ready-made substations at the factory according to their needs, which include e.g. automation design, installations, and signal testing.

Fully Remotely Controllable Turnkey Solution

 "With the energy transition, connection requests have increased sharply in recent years, which has led to more than doubling the number of substations built annually. Ensto Maviko’s smart secondary substations help us meet the needs of our customers by delivering a thoroughly tested and fully remotely controllable turnkey solution in a robust enclosure fit for our harsh climate. This solution requires minimal labor from us in the field," says Kári Hreinsson, R&D lead of Veitur Utilities.

Ensto Maviko and Veitur started substation cooperation as a pilot project, and the first smart substations will be installed in the Reykjavik area’s medium-voltage network during the summer 2024. Before delivery, the substations are tested for the customer's operational control system at Ensto Maviko’s Vaasa factory.

 “The pilot project in Iceland is a big step for Ensto Maviko and for our internationalization. Our smart substations are designed to be relatively easily modified according to national standards, and they definitely bring top-class durability to Iceland's challenging conditions and increase the reliability of electricity distribution,” says Kimmo Autio, Managing Director of Ensto Maviko.

Ensto Maviko became a part of Ensto Group in June 2023, when Ensto acquired Finnish Maviko Oy specializing in electricity distribution services and smart secondary substations. 

Read More About the Smart Compact Seondary Substations


Veitur in brief

Veitur Utilities is the biggest distribution system operator in Iceland. Veitur Utilities oversees the distribution of electricity to over half the population in six municipalities in the bay of Faxaflói. A unique feature of Veitur Utilities’ electrical grid in Iceland is its network of high-voltage cables which connects 13 substations within its distribution area. Veitur provides an important service for the public benefit and ensures that users have continued access to hot water supplies, electricity, water and wastewater systems.

veitur.is/en


Picture: Shutterstock

An overhead line in a foggy mountain landscape.

Facts

Customer
Icelandic distribution system operator (DSO) Veitur Utilities

Location
Reykjavik, Iceland

Customer's Need
A solution that can withstand Iceland's quickly and often changing maritime climate, such as strong winds and possible earthquakes. 

Ensto's Solution
Ensto Maviko's smart compact secondary substations

The Value the Solution Brought to the Customer
Smart compact secondary substations helps Veitur Utilities to meet the needs of their customers by delivering a thoroughly tested and fully remotely controllable turnkey solution in a robust enclosure fit for Iceland's harsh climate. The solution requires minimal labor from them in the field.