Energy suppliers and distribution network operators are under immense pressure to transform: local substations must be digitised across the board and an increasing number of components connected, the number of distributed generators is growing rapidly, and new regulatory requirements are heightening the need for transparency and grid stability. At the same time, there is a shortage of skilled personnel – projects are taking longer, and maintenance is becoming more complex and expensive.
The key challenge: a stable, highly available and blackout-proof communications infrastructure that continues to function reliably even under difficult conditions.
In this situation, the router becomes the core component: it connects sensors, control systems and the control centre, enables automation and provides the secure communication infrastructure that is essential for modern network management.
Highly available & blackout-proof communication foundation
Centralised management, even across multiple sites
Future-proof technology & availability
Challenges
- Modernisation of secondary substations:
High costs for physical RTUs, outdated legacy equipment, and a growing number of sensors and components that need to be connected. - Shortage of skilled professionals:
A lack of technical specialists delays rollouts, increases manual effort, and complicates maintenance and field configuration. - Blackout-resilient communication:
Redundant alternatives such as cellular or fibre must ensure reliable connectivity despite changing conditions. - Rising cyber risks and regulatory pressure:
The growing number of connected components increases the attack surface, while compliance with requirements is mandatory. At the same time, grid transparency is becoming more important due to rising bidirectional energy flows. - Increasingly complex network and device management:
More devices, data points and components make centralised monitoring and standardised logging indispensable.
Solution
- Virtualised RTU functions and sensor integration:
A router with RTU virtualisation and direct sensor connectivity reduces hardware costs, extends the lifetime of legacy equipment, and enables cost-efficient modernisation of secondary substations in both new build and retrofit scenarios. - Automated rollout and centralised management:
Zero-touch deployment, central configuration and remote diagnostics reduce personnel requirements and accelerate projects despite the shortage of skilled professionals. - Multi-WAN concepts:
Fallback architectures using LTE/5G, fibre and VPN ensure reliable communication. - Security architecture:
Encrypted communication (HTTPS/IPsec/SSH), continuous updates and compliance with relevant requirements secure communication across distributed grid nodes. Routers also support certificate-based authentication and automated certificate management for high scalability. - Central transparency and open monitoring:
Routers can be managed via an open, standards-based platform and provide centralised logging via Syslog and SNMP. They support IPv4/IPv6 and enable end-to-end monitoring across multiple secondary substation sites.
Benefits for Operators
Cost advantages for modernisation and retrofit
- Virtualisation of RTU functions and direct sensor integration enable cost-efficient upgrades of secondary substations – without separate RTU hardware.
- KPI benefit: lower investment cost per site; extended lifetime of legacy equipment.
Reduced operational effort
- Centralised management, zero-touch deployment and remote diagnostics significantly reduce installation and service effort.
- KPI benefit: shorter project timelines; lower OpEx due to fewer on-site interventions.
Higher availability and grid stability
- Hardware/software watchdogs and Multi-WAN fallback ensure stable communication even under challenging conditions.
- KPI benefit: improved uptime; reduced outage duration; increased security of supply.
Full transparency across all grid nodes
- Syslog, SNMP and standard interfaces provide end-to-end visibility across thousands of routers in secondary substations.
- KPI benefit: faster fault detection and response.
Security and compliance for critical infrastructure
- Encrypted connections, protocols and continuous updates reduce the attack surface and support regulatory requirements.
- KPI benefit: fewer security incidents; lower compliance costs; automated certificate and update management.
Future-proof platform for decentralised energy
- With the growth of PV systems, storage, and e-mobility, routers enable scalable grid automation and consistent data flows.
- KPI benefit: improved grid utilisation; greater flexibility in load management.
Technical Insight
- Virtualised RTU functions to replace or complement physical RTUs
- Direct sensor integration via available interfaces, depending on project requirements
- Secure data transmission via IPsec, TLS, HTTPS, firewall functions and SSH
- Multi-WAN capability (LTE/4G/5G, Ethernet/fibre, VPN) for communication redundancy
- Watchdog for automatic connection recovery in case of disruptions
- Syslog and SNMP support for integration into central control systems
- IPv4/IPv6 support for modern network architectures
- Continuous software and security updates to keep routers up to date and ensure long-term reliability
- Compact form factor, isolation and extended temperature range for use in secondary substations and outdoor cabinets
Why Garderos
Scalable management:
With the Garderos Configuration Server (GCS), configurations, certificates, firmware and logging can be centrally managed – without on-site service, ideal for large networks.
Long-term investment security:
Product lifecycles of 15+ years and long-term availability reduce future replacement cycles.
Security architecture for critical infrastructure
VPN, IPsec/TLS, firewalling, support for industry-standard protocols and certificate-based authentication – designed to meet security and compliance requirements (e.g. NIS2).
High availability for blackout and fault scenarios
450 MHz, watchdogs, Multi-WAN and self-healing mechanisms ensure communication remains stable even under extreme conditions.
Proven for industrial use in secondary substations
Robust hardware with an extended temperature range, isolation and a compact form factor – ideal for confined outdoor cabinets and harsh environments.
Customised solutions
Garderos develops tailored interface combinations, software modules (e.g. protocol converters), edge containers and integrations into existing control systems.
Our Clients
Further Information
Which Garderos router series are best suited for this use case?
What software capabilities does Garderos provide?