2026 Popular Prefabricated Substation Selection Guide

In power distribution network construction, prefabricated substations, with their core advantages of compact structure, small footprint, convenient installation, and reliable operation, have become the preferred equipment for urban power grid transformation, residential power supply, and new energy grid connection. 

As a company deeply rooted in the power equipment field, we understand that different customers have different power consumption scenarios and load demands, and choosing the appropriate prefabricated substation type directly affects power supply stability and investment cost-effectiveness. This article will systematically analyze the current mainstream prefabricated substation types, combining application scenarios and core advantages to provide clear guidance for your selection.

What is a Prefabricated Substation? 

A prefabricated substation is a compact complete set of equipment that integrates core components such as high-voltage switchgear, distribution transformers, and low-voltage distribution devices into a fully enclosed, movable steel structure enclosure according to a scientific wiring scheme. Compared to traditional civil engineering substations, it eliminates the need for a separate distribution room, featuring "factory prefabrication and rapid on-site installation," significantly shortening the construction cycle.

 Simultaneously, it occupies only 1/10 to 1/5 of the area of a traditional substation, effectively saving land resources. Whether in the confined spaces of a city's core area or for temporary power supply in remote regions, prefabricated substations can meet demands with their flexible adaptability, a direct reflection of their core advantage of being "compact."

Detailed Explanation of Mainstream Prefabricated Substation Types: Adapting to Different Scenarios

Based on structural design, application scenarios, and functional emphasis, current mainstream prefabricated substations are mainly divided into the following categories. Each type of product has its own focus in terms of structure, performance, and applicable scenarios, precisely matching the core needs of different customers.

European-Style Prefabricated Substations

European-style prefabricated substations are the most widely used type of prefabricated substation in China. Their core feature is the adoption of a three-compartment independent design: a high-voltage compartment, a transformer compartment, and a low-voltage compartment. The structural layout is clear, and maintenance space is ample. The high-voltage compartment is equipped with complete switches and protection devices; the transformer compartment can be equipped with oil-immersed or dry-type transformers depending on requirements; and the low-voltage compartment integrates power distribution, metering, and reactive power compensation modules, offering extremely high flexibility in selection.

• Core Advantages: High protection level (generally IP23 and above), stable and reliable operation, and convenient maintenance; customizable according to load capacity (30~8000kVA), with a wide range of applicability.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Urban public power distribution, high-rise buildings, residential communities, industrial and mining enterprises, ports, oil fields, and other conventional power supply scenarios; especially suitable for customers with high power supply reliability requirements and long-term stable operation needs.

American-style Prefabricated Substation

American-style prefabricated substations are characterized by their "extremely compact structure," employing an integrated design that immerses core components such as the transformer, high-voltage load switch, and fuses in the same oil tank. This eliminates the need for a separate high-voltage compartment, reducing the size by 30%-50% compared to European-style prefabricated substations, making them lighter and reducing transportation and installation costs. Its core design philosophy is "simplified structure and improved integration efficiency," making it suitable for scenarios with stringent space requirements.

• Core Advantages: Small size, minimal footprint, quick installation; relatively low cost, outstanding cost-effectiveness; oil-immersed integrated design provides excellent heat dissipation and adapts to harsh outdoor environments.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Power supply in confined spaces such as urban streets and green belts; highly mobile scenarios such as temporary construction sites and highway service areas; small and medium-sized industrial and commercial customers with relatively stable power loads and low maintenance frequency requirements.

PV/Wind Power Dedicated Integrated Unit

With the development of the new energy industry, dedicated transformer boxes for PV and wind power grid connection have become one of the mainstream types, divided into subcategories such as European-style PV integrated units and American-style PV integrated units. Their core advantage is the integration of full-function modules including inverter, boost converter, grid connection, and measurement and control, directly solving the entire chain requirements of PV power generation from DC input to 35kV AC grid connection, without the need for additional equipment.

• Core Advantages: Highly integrated functions, simple on-site construction; high degree of automation, supporting intelligent management of "four remotes" (remote measurement, remote signaling, remote control, and remote adjustment); energy-saving and environmentally friendly, adapting to the green power supply needs of new energy projects.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Large-scale photovoltaic power plants, distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, wind farms, and other new energy power generation customers; especially suitable for new energy enterprises that pursue grid connection efficiency and hope to simplify system design and operation and maintenance.

Intelligent Mobile Substation/Charging Station

This type of prefabricated substation combines mobility and intelligence, integrating power distribution equipment, power quality management systems, security systems, and electric vehicle charging and discharging systems onto a specially designed trailer chassis, enabling rapid relocation and on-site rapid grid connection. Its core value is "breaking the limitations of fixed power supply and meeting dynamic and emergency power supply needs."

• Core Advantages: Flexible mobility and rapid response; high degree of integration and intelligence, supporting remote monitoring and management; combines power supply and charging functions, adapting to diverse needs.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Substation maintenance without power outages, peak load transfer; temporary power supply for newly built industrial parks, emergency power supply for natural disasters; municipal and transportation customers requiring temporary charging services for electric vehicles.

Buried/Landscape-Style Transformer

Buried transformer substations, also known as landscape-style transformer substations, employ a design where the main body is buried underground, with only an operating well or landscape-style enclosure remaining above ground. This effectively addresses the dual challenges of "land use and aesthetics" in urban core areas. Advertising can even be placed on both sides of the above-ground enclosure, achieving multiple functions of "power supply + aesthetics + added value." Its core advantages are that it does not occupy valuable ground space, and its appearance can be customized, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

• Core Advantages: Minimal footprint, does not disrupt the urban landscape; high protection level, strong corrosion and flood resistance; high degree of customization in appearance, suitable for high-end commercial districts, parks, and scenic areas.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Urban commercial centers, high-end residential communities, parks, subway entrances, and other locations with high requirements for landscape harmony; power supply customers in urban core areas with limited land resources.

Prefabricated Energy Storage Substations

These substations are core supporting equipment for energy storage systems, integrating core components such as converters, transformers, high-voltage switches, and low-voltage distribution cabinets. With bidirectional current conversion as its core function, they can store, release, and regulate electrical energy, effectively balancing daytime and seasonal electricity demand differences and contributing to intelligent grid management.

• Core Advantages: Modular design for easy installation; strong regulation capabilities, adaptable to the flexible charging and discharging needs of energy storage systems; good synergy with renewable energy, improving energy utilization efficiency.

• Applicable Customers and Scenarios: Energy storage power stations, new energy supporting energy storage projects; large industrial and commercial customers requiring peak-valley electricity price arbitrage and improved power supply stability; power operation customers with grid peak-shaving and valley-filling needs.

Core Selection Guide: Identify Your Needs, Choose the Right One, Not the Most Expensive

Faced with diverse types of prefabricated substations, customers don't need to blindly pursue "high-end." The key is to accurately match the type to their specific scenarios and needs, focusing on the following three points:

• Scenario Adaptability: For typical outdoor scenarios, prioritize European/American style prefabricated substations; for confined spaces, choose American style; for new energy projects, choose dedicated integrated units; for emergency mobile needs, choose mobile prefabricated substations; for urban landscape scenarios, choose underground types.

• Load and Capacity: Determine the transformer capacity based on the total calculated load (ideal load rate 60%-80%), avoiding overcapacity or undercapacity; new energy projects need to match the inverter output voltage with grid requirements.

• Intelligence and Protection: Customers with high requirements for operation and maintenance efficiency can choose intelligent models that support remote monitoring; for harsh outdoor environments, choose models with an IP33 or higher protection rating; for coastal areas, prioritize stainless steel casing for corrosion resistance.

Conclusion

Different types of prefabricated substations are essentially designed to adapt to the "compact, efficient, and customized" power supply needs of different scenarios. As a professional transformer supplier, we not only offer a full range of prefabricated substation products (covering models from 30 to 8000kVA), but also provide customized solutions based on your specific needs (such as land area, load capacity, application field, and intelligentization requirements), providing comprehensive support from selection and design to installation and operation and maintenance.

If you still have questions about choosing the right prefabricated substation type, please feel free to contact us. We will provide you with one-on-one professional selection guidance to help you choose the most suitable and cost-effective product.