Hikmicro has solutions for all grid evolutions

The Fixed-Mount thermal cameras designed for continuous monitoring of high-voltage equipment in substations and transmission nodes seamlessly integrate into SCADA/NMS platforms.

The transmission and distribution (T&D) sector is undergoing a paradigm shift. The integration of renewable energy, dynamic load patterns and the push for digitalisation through initiatives such as the National Unified Network Management System (N-UNMS) demand real-time visibility, predictive fault detection and condition-based diagnostics. Hikvision (Hikmicro) has a mission to empower utilities with cutting-edge thermal and acoustic imaging technologies that enable smarter grid operations, enhance reliability and reduce downtime. Ashish P. Dhakan shares more with EPR.

How is your company innovating in the area of real-time grid monitoring, fault detection and predictive diagnostics?

As utilities move toward a centrally monitored and digitally unified grid, we offer solutions that provide non-contact, real-time visibility into critical grid infrastructure. The solutions that we provide include G Series and SP Series Handheld Thermal Cameras (e.g., M, G61, SP60). This equipment series offers high-resolution thermal imaging with super scene fault analysis for rapid detection of hot spots, loose connections and insulation failures in field assets.

More than that, Fixed-Mount thermal cameras, which are designed for continuous monitoring of high-voltage equipment in substations and transmission nodes, seamlessly integrate into SCADA/NMS platforms.

If we speak of the benefits of these cameras, we can say that they facilitate early detection of thermal anomalies that reduce failure risk. Predictive maintenance through this equipment lowers operational costs and increases asset life. It also enables utility teams to remotely monitor asset health across large networks.

What role do you see advanced testing and measurement solutions playing in ensuring grid stability, especially during load surges and renewable intermittencies?

Our power demand is expected to exceed 388 GW by FY32, posing challenges around peak load management and renewable intermittency. Our thermal solutions enable utilities to stay ahead of failures during these critical fluctuations. The SP60 and G61 thermal cameras assess heat build-up in transformers, isolators, breakers and busbars during peak loading or reverse power flow conditions. The Fixed Cameras for transformer yards, cable terminations and feeders deliver continuous load-condition monitoring. The benefits of these cameras include preventing overheating and insulation degradation during periods of high demand. Also, it enhances the reliability of assets exposed to intermittent renewable input and supports real-time load balancing and capacity planning.

How are your technologies helping utilities transition from traditional periodic testing to condition-based or continuous monitoring systems?

Periodic manual inspections often miss early warning signs. Hikmicro supports the shift to data-driven, continuous condition monitoring across transmission and distribution infrastructure. The solutions we provide are Permanent Thermal Monitoring Systems through the fixed cameras deployed across substations for continuous diagnostics of CBs, PTs, CTs and bus ducts.

Speaking of integration with IoT platforms, our solutions enable real-time data collection, threshold-based alerts and maintenance workflows. It offers benefits such as improved grid uptime through predictive alerts. Our solutions reduce manual inspection frequency and associated risks and enable utilities to prioritise maintenance based on actual asset condition and not fixed schedules.

How are your solutions evolving to handle the complexities of bidirectional power flows, dynamic loads and DER management?

With growing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar and localised microgrid utilities, there is an increased system complexity. Our Handheld and Fixed Thermal Cameras identify heat anomalies and overload conditions in bi-directional flow scenarios, particularly at interconnection points and DER feeders.

The Integrated Acoustic Imaging (AI56, AI76) locates partial discharges or gas leaks in assets exposed to high voltage stress from fluctuating inputs. It provides benefits such as ensuring the stable integration of variable energy sources. Preventing thermal and electrical stress from reverse current, which enhances microgrid resilience and DER performance monitoring.

What role do advanced sensor networks, IoT-enabled monitoring systems and AI-based analytics play in your offerings to help utilities?

At the heart of our solutions is intelligent data. All Hikmicro systems’ thermal and acoustic are designed to integrate with grid systems that leverage AI-based analytics for trend detection, fault classification and automated reporting. This intelligent edge processing supports utilities in progressing toward self-healing, adaptive grid infrastructures that enhance overall grid reliability and resilience.

Our AI-Powered Acoustic Cameras (AI56/AI76) use 64 & 134-mic arrays and AI-filtering to detect corona, arcing and gas leaks even in noisy environments.

The Thermal Fixed type integrates into existing grid platforms for real-time analytics and automated fault classification.

Speaking of the benefits, it combines temperature and ultrasound diagnostics for comprehensive asset health, which accelerates root-cause analysis, speeding repair cycles. It also lays the foundation for autonomous, self-healing network capabilities.

Hikvision’s portfolio of intelligent thermal and acoustic imaging solutions is purpose-built to support the evolving T&D grid in India. Whether through real-time thermal analysis, partial discharge detection or IoT-enabled continuous monitoring, our tools empower utilities to enhance asset performance, improve safety and ensure system-wide resilience. As grid complexity increases, we remain committed to delivering solutions that are innovative, scalable and aligned with India’s digital energy future.