Exhibitor News

One of the key technologies driving the digitalization of grids is the adoption of communication protocols based on the IEC 61850 standard, which ensures both scalability and interoperability within energy networks. To navigate this transformation, energy providers need reliable, scalable, and cost-effective tools for measurement, control, and system monitoring. Conventional instrument transformers (ITs) fall short in meeting these demands due to their bulky design, efficiency limitations, and inability to adapt to modern grid requirements.

LPITs: The Modern Alternative

Low-Power Instrument Transformers (LPITs) have emerged as a smart, innovative solution to these challenges. They offer increased measurement precision, require less installation space, and significantly reduce capital investment (CAPEX). Greenwood-Power is a leader in this field, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as resistive-capacitive voltage dividers and inductive measurement methods with shunt resistors.

To ensure reliable performance in power networks, LPITs must meet stringent certification requirements based on IEC standards, which include:

• Lightning impulse tests (IEC 61869-1)
• High-voltage tests (IEC 60060-1)
• Thermal endurance tests
• Short-circuit withstand tests

Key Advantages of LPITs

In addition to saving space and reducing costs, LPITs offer a variety of benefits that revolutionize power grid operations:

• Broader frequency response: Ideal for harmonic measurement and improved power quality monitoring
• Versatile installation: No correction factors required, regardless of mounting position
• Enhanced safety: Low output voltages reduce risks for maintenance personnel
• Sustainability focus: Lower CO₂ emissions and reduced use of rare materials
• Greater efficiency: Up to 92% less material usage and over 90% higher energy efficiency than traditional systems
   

Successful Global Deployments

LPITs have proven their scalability and efficiency in numerous real-world applications:

• Over 300,000 LPVTs installed in Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2024
• More than 100,000 LPCTs deployed in Europe in collaboration with Siemens and other major switchgear manufacturers since 2020
• Over 10,000 LPVTs installed in air-insulated switchgear (AIS) systems worldwide in 2024 alone
   

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite their compelling advantages, challenges remain. The absence of ANSI and IEEE standards continues to hinder wider adoption, and some measurement and protection devices have yet to fully integrate LPIT compatibility. However, the rapid adoption of digital substations indicates that broader standardization and technological adaptation are on the horizon.

Pioneering the Future of Grid Measurement

With a proven track record in applications such as generator, transformer, and network protection automation, LPITs are enhancing power grid monitoring and optimizing power quality management. Their expanding adoption across Europe, Saudi Arabia, and other regions underscores their scalability and long-term viability.

As energy systems continue to modernize, LPITs will play a central role in driving forward next-generation smart grid infrastructure, empowering utilities with safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable solutions.