ISA ENERGIA BRASIL and Hitachi Energy: A Partnership to Modernize the Power Grid

The global conversation about digital technologies driving the global energy transition often focus on the U.S. and Europe, but Latin America is also making significant strides. Brazil, specially, is at the center of an innovative grid modernization project, positioning the region as a leader in energy innovation. This initiative, led by ISA ENERGIA BRASIL and powered by Hitachi Energy's cutting-edge technologies, is transforming the energy landscape in the country. It is the result of an R&D project by the Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and aims to discover new approaches for updating the current grid infrastructure while generating essential insights for future developments in new (greenfield) substations.

ISA ENERGIA BRASIL is a leading company in Brazil's power transmission sector. It has been in the country for over 25 years and is a pioneer in developing initiatives that positively impact society and the environment. As part of ISA, a multinational company with over 57 years of experience, ISA ENERGIA BRASIL operates in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Central America. With over 49,000 kilometers of circuits and 113,365 MVA of transformation capacity, and a reliability and availability index of over 99%, ISA's goal is to ensure a resilient, secure, clean, and fair energy transition.

Demonstrating its commitment to modernizing the power grid, ISA ENERGIA BRASIL delivered a significant project in 2023: the country's first digital 4.0 substation. Designed to demonstrate and test cutting-edge IEC 61850 technologies, the project notably highlights Hitachi Energy's contribution to seamlessly integrating advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with rigorous cybersecurity protocols, reinforcing the reliability and availability of the power grids. This initiative is the result of an R&D project by the Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and aims to discover new approaches for updating the current grid infrastructure while generating essential insights for future developments in new (greenfield) substations.

Conventional substations require complex infrastructure, such as kilometers of copper cables, and present increasing challenges in security, maintenance, and reliability—especially in a country with the vast size and diverse climates of Brazil. To address this challenge, ISA ENERGIA BRASIL, in partnership with Hitachi Energy, is leading a transformation movement with the implementation of Brazil's first Digital 4.0 Substation in Jaguariúna (SP).

The Jaguariúna Substation project integrates sensing, smart monitoring, IoT (Internet of Things), data exchange via wireless industrial networks, and a layered cybersecurity architecture. These technologies not only improve operational efficiency but also serve as a prototype for future deployments across ISA's extensive network in Latin America.

One of the key differentiators is the Centralized Control and Protection (CPC), which allows for protecting and controlling various transmission functions from a single digital platform. This solution raises the standards for resilience, security, and operational redundancy by consolidating distributed intelligence into a central decision-making core.

This grid modernization project is a testament to ISA ENERGIA BRASIL's efforts to lay the foundation for a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced electrical system. In addition to the improvements in operational efficiency, environmental impact, and grid security achieved through innovative solutions in Jaguariúna, this project aligns with Brazil's broader leadership in energy transition initiatives, such as battery energy storage and hydrogen projects. The country is therefore well-positioned to play a significant role in Latin America's energy future. The collaboration between ISA ENERGIA BRASIL and Hitachi Energy is a clear example of how digital transformation, combined with innovative partnerships, is promoting a sustainable energy future for all.