EG.D Chooses Hexagon Tech to Secure Substations

EG.D, a part of the E.ON group, keeps the lights on for 2.7 million people in the Czech Republic’s southern regions, bordering Austria and Germany. They’re the ones who manage the intricate web of power lines and high-voltage transformer substations that deliver electricity to homes and businesses.

The world’s appetite for electricity is surging. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024, global electricity consumption nearly doubled the annual average of the previous decade. Simultaneously, new regulations like the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, set to take effect across the European Union in July 2026, and Germany’s KRITIS Umbrella law, are pushing organizations responsible for critical infrastructure to bolster their defenses against both current and future threats.

EG.D, a longtime Hexagon customer, decided to explore how cutting-edge volumetric and LiDAR technology could strengthen the physical security of its substations. Their choice? Hexagon’s HxGN dC3 LidarVision.

Ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure

For energy providers, transformer substations are the unsung heroes of the power grid, reliably delivering electricity to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and more. While major incidents at substations are rare, thanks to stringent monitoring and safety measures, they can cause widespread disruption when they do occur. A stark reminder came in early 2025, when a fire at a UK site cut power to 5,000 homes and impacted a major international airport.

Traditionally, securing unmanned substations has relied on familiar measures: fences, alarms, CCTV cameras, and access control systems. But EG.D wanted to push the boundaries. They launched a pioneering pilot project to test the capabilities of the latest LiDAR-based 3D surveillance technology.

A pioneering pilot project for improved substation safety and security

Tomáš Sofka, a security technologies expert at EG.D, explained, “We have partnered with Hexagon for many years in the field of GIS and were particularly impressed by their innovative solutions in volumetric detection and LiDAR technology. We wanted to assess how the technology could be used to provide stronger security to keep unauthorized people out of substations, locate intruders and improve safeguards for maintenance personnel while they are working on-site near high-voltage equipment.”

HxGN dC3 LidarVision emerged as the solution. This advanced 3D surveillance software uses volumetric detection technology to secure entire sites, going beyond the limitations of traditional perimeter protection systems that focus primarily on the fence line.

The project utilizes five strategically placed LiDAR sensors to create virtual secure, safe, and sterile zones, including the perimeter fence. The beauty? These zones can be activated, deactivated, or modified with a simple click. For example, when maintenance is underway, the zone around the work area can be temporarily deactivated, while other zones remain active to prevent workers from accidentally entering hazardous areas.

Authorized personnel and trespassers are automatically monitored and tracked via a live, real-time feed into EG.D’s security control room. The system identifies the number of people present, their precise location, their speed and direction of movement, and even their projected path. This information can be further enhanced with PTZ cameras, alarms, and speaker systems for direct communication.

Another key advantage is the ability to create a digital twin of each substation. This allows EG.D to simulate scenarios and test the effectiveness of safety and security measures in a virtual environment. The system generates a 3D map of the entire facility, allowing users to optimize the placement of LiDAR sensors and cameras to eliminate blind spots before anyone even sets foot on site.

The system can be further enhanced with thermal sensors and cameras that monitor temperatures and trigger alerts if deviations occur. This is invaluable for detecting intrusions (human or animal) and providing early warnings of fire, even before smoke or flames are visible.

Setting a new standard that is gaining worldwide attention

“Our experience working with Hexagon has been exceptional. The collaboration was exemplary and professional throughout all phases of the project,” said Sofka. “The response of the management team to the pilot operation has been overwhelmingly positive and we highly recommend Hexagon to other organizations.”

Based on the pilot’s resounding success, EG.D and Hexagon are collaborating on a plan to roll out HxGN dC3 LidarVision across more energy facilities. EG.D is also sharing its expertise with other national energy companies, including those in the U.S. and the Asia-Pacific region, who are considering this innovative approach as the new gold standard for substation resilience, safety, and security.