Looking for Consortium – HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-18

1. Large-Scale Field Demonstration of Smart Substations

YEDAŞ will offer its physical infrastructure to deploy and test Next-Generation Distribution Substations (NGDS). This includes replacing or upgrading conventional transformers with high-efficiency, sensor-equipped, or solid-state transformers to evaluate their performance in a live medium-to-low voltage (MV/LV) environment.

2. Enhanced Resilience against Extreme Weather and Physical Threats

Located in a region prone to challenging weather conditions (such as heavy snow and icing), YEDAŞ provides a unique testbed for physical resilience.

• Activity: Testing "Self-Healing" capabilities where the substation can automatically reconfigure the local network to bypass faults caused by extreme weather, ensuring minimal downtime for end-users.

3. Implementation of Digital Twins for Asset Management

YEDAŞ can lead the work package on Digital Twin integration for substation assets.

• Activity: Utilizing real-time data from IoT sensors within the substation to create a digital replica. This allows for predictive maintenance, thermal load monitoring, and life-cycle analysis of the primary equipment (transformers, switchgear, and circuit breakers).

4. Integration of Local Flexibility and Storage

The next-generation substation must act as a coordinator for local energy resources. YEDAŞ will demonstrate how the substation can manage:

• Behind-the-meter storage and EV charging stations to mitigate peak loads.

• Voltage regulation through automated tap changers and power electronics to accommodate high levels of decentralized solar energy.

5. Cyber-Physical Security Validation

As substations become more digitized, they become more vulnerable. YEDAŞ can provide the operational framework to test Cyber-Resilience.

• Activity: Validating secure communication protocols (e.g., IEC 61850) and intrusion detection systems at the substation level to protect the grid from cyber-attacks.

Why YEDAŞ for this call? (The "Value Add")

• Operational Diversity: Access to both urban and rugged rural networks.

• Modernization Focus: Existing experience with SCADA integration and smart metering.

• Data Availability: High-quality historical data on outages and load profiles to train AI models for the "Smart Substation" controller.