Boosting substation efficiency by up to 40% with sustainable retrofitting

The company’s dedicated team manages and supports utility customers in studying and modernising their grids with the latest switchgear and retrofitting solutions.

Switchgear technology is evolving rapidly to meet modern energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability demands. With 70 years of expertise, Lauritz Knudsen leads this shift through cutting-edge electromechanical and digital solutions. Naresh Kumar from the company says that their smart, SF₆-free switchgear innovations support grid modernisation, enabling reliable, eco-friendly and decentralised power infrastructure across India and beyond. Let us hear him.

How do Lauritz Knudsen’s SMARTCOMM features improve switchgear efficiency and safety in modern systems?

Switchgear technology has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, driven by the need for more efficient energy consumption, reduced carbon footprint and improved operational efficiency. Modern switchgear incorporates advanced switching devices that reduce energy waste and emissions. These designs promote sustainable development by optimising energy usage and reducing carbon footprint. Enhanced safety features remain a critical aspect of switchgear design, with innovations such as arc flash prevention tools in enclosures helping to protect workers and equipment from electrical hazards.

At Lauritz Knudsen, digital technologies like our SMARTCOMM infrastructure provide real-time data collection, predictive maintenance, remote monitoring and control, and digital twin capabilities, which significantly increase operational efficiency and reduce downtime. With our 70-year legacy in developing switchgear technology, we are pioneers in both electromechanical and digital technology, ensuring a substantial impact.

How does the retrofit approach help utilities modernise substations sustainably with minimal downtime?

Modern switchgear can improve the energy efficiency of existing substations by 20-40 percent. A complete replacement would require a significant shutdown and higher capital expenditure (capex), making retrofitting a natural choice to reduce capital expenditure and minimise downtime. Retrofitting is also a sustainable way to modernise the existing grid, ensuring reduced material usage by at least 30-40 percent.

Lauritz Knudsen has a dedicated team that manages and supports utility customers in studying and modernising their grids with the latest switchgear and retrofitting solutions. Our expertise is brand-agnostic, meaning our latest switchgear can be retrofitted with any brand or make. This approach ensures that our customers benefit from improved energy efficiency, enhanced safety standards and compliance with evolving regulations, all while minimising downtime and capital expenditure.

How would smart switchgear support a decentralised grid and enable peer-to-peer energy trading systems?

India is making significant strides towards a decentralised and intelligent grid infrastructure, aiming to modernise its energy sector and integrate large-scale renewable energy sources. The country’s sheer geographic variance supports a decentralised energy network with rooftop solar and EV batteries. Smart switchgear, coupled with decentralised energy systems, reduces inefficiencies and ensures energy flows dynamically when and where needed. In the near future, smart switchgear will facilitate the growth of micro-energy entrepreneurs and peer-to-peer energy trading, ensuring power is available to all.

How does Lauritz Knudsen overcome the deployment challenges of next-gen switchgear in India’s evolving energy landscape?

Deploying next-generation switchgear in India presents challenges such as high initial investment, integration with legacy infrastructure and the need for skilled personnel. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach—raising awareness of the long-term cost benefits, fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging government incentives to ease adoption.

We are committed to capacity building, offering specialised training programmes for engineers and technicians to ensure smooth deployment and sustainable operations. Additionally, our energy management solutions, such as Ti and T-ERA, with their compact and modular design, are optimised for cost yet provide the latest technological advancements.