Smart Grids Secure Communications
Advanced communication technologies enable secure, resilient and scalable Smart Grid operations, ensuring reliable data exchange, enhanced visibility and continuous support for evolving electricity networks
Building the secure and resilient Smart Grid of the future
Teldat’s Smart Grid solutions provide an industrial‑grade, secure and scalable communication framework that enables Utilities to connect, monitor and protect critical assets while improving visibility and long‑term grid resilience:
- Industrial-grade communications for substations, cabinets and distributed energy assets.
- PLC, BPL, cellular and fiber options enabling efficient data collection and grid visibility.
- Integrated cybersecurity with NGFW, OT ZTNA and SCADA-aware DPI for critical protection.
- SD‑WAN services for optimized routing, segmentation and resilient utility communications.
- Centralized management to simplify deployment, improve efficiency and ensure continuity.
Smart Grids Market Overview
The digitalization of Smart Grids is reshaping the global energy landscape, and at the core of this transformation lies reliable, secure, and high-performance network access communications. These systems are essential to support Smart Grid evolution by connecting nodes, enabling real-time data gathering, and ensuring efficient monitoring and decision-making.
Three key drivers are pushing new requirements in this market:
- Enhanced grid resilience demands rapid fault detection and response, relying on robust communication infrastructures that provide real-time visibility into grid health.
- Seamless integration of renewable energy sources requires synchronized communication between distributed assets to optimize energy flow and maintain stability.
- Rising energy demands increase the need for advanced communication solutions that prevent outages and improve energy management.
As Smart Grids expand, the deployment of smart meters and IoT devices heightens the demand for secure communication channels. Cybersecurity solutions tailored to Power Line Communications and wireless technologies are critical to protect sensitive data and guarantee uninterrupted operations.
With a projected CAGR of 17% during 2026–2030 and an estimated market value of USD 64 billion in 2026, the Smart Grid market is set for rapid growth, creating outstanding opportunities in network access communications and driving the industry into a new era of reliability and efficiency.
Key points related to Smart Grid
Smarter Choices for Smarter Consumption
Smart meters enable real-time, two-way communication between the grid, consumers, and Utilities. This empowers consumers to tailor their energy usage based on dynamic pricing or environmental preferences, creating a more efficient and sustainable energy ecosystem.
Securing the Smart Grid
Smart Grids are becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats. Implementing robust and proactive cybersecurity measures is key to ensure resilience against attacks, safeguarding operations, and maintaining uninterrupted service.
Self-Healing for Unmatched Reliability
Smart Grids use advanced digital communication to detect and respond to disruptions in real time. With self-healing capabilities, the grid can autonomously restore service, minimizing downtime and ensuring consistent energy delivery.
Efficient Systems, Minimal Downtime
Automatic operations adjust to varying loads, reducing equipment failures. Demand-response systems alleviate stress during peak periods, extending asset life and lowering the risk of outages.
Understanding Smart Grids
Modern Smart Grids rely on advanced communication infrastructures capable of supporting a growing number of connected devices, distributed energy resources, and real‑time operational requirements. As utilities accelerate their digital transformation, the network layer becomes a critical enabler of efficiency, reliability, and long‑term sustainability.
A new generation of communications platforms is emerging to meet these demands. These solutions deliver industrial‑grade performance, combining rugged hardware with flexible connectivity options such as cellular networks, fiber optics, power line communications, and broadband over existing electrical infrastructure. Their modular and multiservice design allows “Utilities” to adapt the communication architecture to diverse deployment scenarios, from substations and transformer cabinets to low‑voltage distribution points.
Connectivity technologies based on power lines play a particularly relevant role in Smart Metering and grid monitoring. They enable the integration of thousands of smart meters within a single network while leveraging the existing electrical infrastructure. This reduces installation complexity, accelerates rollout timelines, and improves access to high‑quality operational data.
Enhanced bandwidth over power lines also opens new opportunities for advanced automation, low‑voltage grid visibility, and distributed intelligence. In parallel, wireless and fiber‑based communication layers complement these architectures by providing secure, high‑performance links for grid automation, Edge computing, and interoperability with control centers. Their ability to operate under demanding environmental conditions ensures continuity of service and supports mission‑critical processes.
As Smart Grids evolve into highly interconnected ecosystems, they are increasingly recognized as critical infrastructures whose operation is essential for economic stability and public safety. This expanded connectivity, combined with today’s complex geopolitical landscape, exposes utilities to new and more sophisticated cyber threats. To ensure resilient grid operations, communication platforms must integrate proactive cybersecurity measures that protect assets across all layers of the network. Advanced monitoring, secure device management, and defense‑in‑depth strategies are becoming indispensable to safeguard continuity of service and maintain trust in the energy system.
Smart Grid Solution & Teldat Products
Teldat offers a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity and communication solutions designed to support the digital transformation of Smart Grids. As Utilities modernize their distribution networks, they need platforms that combine industrial robustness with flexible connectivity options and seamless integration across all operational layers. Teldat’s ecosystem is built to address these requirements, enabling secure, efficient, and scalable grid communications.
At the center of this portfolio is the Regesta family, including models such as Regesta Smart PRO, all designed for demanding electrical environments. These modular and multiservice platforms incorporate a broad set of interfaces — including dual‑SIM cellular connectivity, fiber optics, and Gigabit Ethernet — enabling reliable backhaul and secure data exchange between substations, transformer cabinets, control centers, and distributed energy assets. Their industrial-grade design ensures stable and predictable performance, supporting mission‑critical operations under harsh environmental conditions.
For Smart Metering and low‑voltage grid monitoring, Teldat delivers PLC PRIME communication devices, including the Regesta Smart PLC, capable of integrating up to 2,000 smart meters within a single unit. These solutions enhance operational visibility and streamline large-scale rollouts by leveraging the existing electrical infrastructure, reducing installation complexity and accelerating the deployment of metering and telemetry services.
Complementing these capabilities, Teldat incorporates Broadband Power Line (BPL) technologies through devices such as the Regesta Smart NESSUM, which significantly extend available bandwidth over existing electrical lines. This enables Utilities to introduce advanced automation services, strengthen low‑voltage supervision, and support distributed intelligence across the network. By maximizing the use of existing assets, these solutions reduce operational costs and simplify modernization strategies.
Beyond traditional routing, the Regesta family also incorporates integrated Layer 2 & Layer 3 SD‑WAN and advanced security capabilities. SASE & NGFW features, Zero-Trust Network Access for OT, SCADA protocols DPI and secure segmentation allow Utilities to protect substations and field assets while optimizing traffic across hybrid and geographically dispersed networks.
All Smart Grid solutions operate within a unified architecture emphasizing security, resilience, and ease of management. Centralized monitoring, remote provisioning, and redundancy mechanisms help ensure continuity of service and reduce operational complexity. Through seamless integration across Teldat’s product families, Utilities can build coherent, future‑ready communication infrastructures that support the evolving needs of an increasingly digital energy ecosystem.
Use Cases
Digitalizing Smart Grids pushes utilities and integrators with unparalleled opportunities to enhance their operations and deliver differentiated services. With Teldat’s cutting-edge communication solutions, they can achieve seamless connectivity across the grid, from control centers to the edge. Teldat’s technologies are tailored to support utilities in building smarter, more resilient grids.
Smart Metering Controls
Complex deployments in remote and unattended locations.
Remote Control & Automation
Guaranteed reliability, performance & security in Smart Grid networks.
Protecting Smart Grids against cyberattacks
Protecting critical Smart Grid infrastructures with zero‑trust access, protocol‑aware inspection and multilayer security across distributed utility networks.
Smart Grids using SD-WAN
Enhancing utility communications with policy‑driven routing, secure segmentation and adaptive connectivity across geographically dispersed grid assets.
Case Studies
Electrical Grid Modernization
Remote Management, Monitoring and Automation for Electricity Grids
Smart Metering Controls
Complex deployments in remote and unattended locations.
Challenge
Normally a Utility has thousands of connected remote locations distributed across a geography with long distances between them. To increase this complexity some of those locations are unattended and located in complex spaces to access. Those locations are offering critical services to the company, and they also are supporting critical systems.
Besides the above-mentioned points, Electrical companies are also requesting quick, simple installation processes and competitive management tools with a view to not only controlling and configuring the initial installed base, but also any future devices incorporated into their Smart Metering networks. They need devices that can establish a trustworthy network for real-time communications, advanced networking protocols and guarantee service isolation.
Solution
Regesta Smart family devices offer next-generation communications for Smart Grid Meter deployments. Teldat devices have the latest technologies to meet all the Smart Grid Meter communications requirements but also provide state-of the art software and hardware. With PLC technology to connect Smart Grid meters and LTE with dual SIM (backup) they provide the optimal solution to fulfill the requirements.
Teldat’s solution allows you to create groups and templates to simplify this complex installation. Once the configuration is ready, a simple replication can be done for the installed base and for each new installation. After configuring the device and plugging in it is ready to work.
Why Teldat?
Teldat has leveraged its communications know-how to provide an in-house hardware design optimized to the unique needs of electrical companies during the past 15 years and more than 60.000 devices deployed. The Regesta Smart family has been designed to comply with strict standards on safety and performance in electrical environments, with a view to meeting the demanding conditions of processing plant locations.
Remote Control & Automation
Guaranteed reliability, performance & security in Smart Grid networks.
Challenge
Remote control and automation of the electricity network play a significant role in the core business of Smart Grid deployments. The use of communications is therefore widely used as a guarantee of reliability, performance and security in the development of complex, sophisticated Smart Grid networks.
The need to comply with strict standards in electrical substations and harsh environment combined with the legacy communications with SCADA and RTU systems increase the complexity of the scenario.
Solution
Teldat’s Regesta Smart family are future-proof devices incorporating the newest technologies and constantly evolving to adapt to all kinds of scenarios, with the aim of simplifying management and controlling large-scale Automation deployments.
Regesta specific hardware design supports a wide operating temperature range and meets all electrical requirements for use in unattended locations with electrical hazards. All Teldat Smart Grid products have undergone comprehensive testing to ensure the equipment is reliable in the event of accidents, failures and adverse environmental conditions typical in these kinds of Smart Grid substations and transformation centers.
Why Teldat?
Teldat has leveraged its communications know-how to provide an in-house hardware design optimized to the unique needs of electrical companies during the past 15 years and more than 60.000 devices deployed. The Regesta Smart family has been designed to comply with strict standards on safety and performance in electrical environments, with a view to meeting the demanding conditions of processing plant locations.
Protecting Smart Grids against cyberattacks
Protecting critical Smart Grid infrastructures with zero‑trust access, protocol‑aware inspection and multilayer security across distributed utility networks.
Challenge
Modern Smart Grids face increasing cyber risks due to the expansion of connected field devices, the convergence of IT / OT networks, and the exposure of remote, often unattended sites. Transformation centers, substations and cabinets distributed across wide geographies become attractive targets for intrusion, manipulation, or disruption.
Additionally, the geopolitical environment and the rise of coordinated attacks against critical infrastructures heighten the need for continuous protection. DSOs/DNOs must secure communications, enforce strong authentication, monitor protocol integrity, and ensure traffic isolation to maintain operational continuity and regulatory compliance across the entire grid.
Solution
Teldat’s Smart Grid communication platforms incorporate a multilayer cybersecurity architecture based on SASE principles and Next‑Generation Firewall capabilities. Out Zero Trust Network Access for OT (ZTNA for OT) solution ensures that only authenticated users, applications, and devices can interact with critical assets, reducing the attack surface across distributed sites. Deep Packet Inspection with SCADA protocol signatures reinforces protection by detecting anomalies, unauthorized commands, or malicious traffic patterns in real time.
Centralized management provides unified policy enforcement and continuous monitoring across PLC, cellular, and IP‑based links, enabling utilities to strengthen resilience and simplify large‑scale operations.
Why Teldat?
With long-standing experience in electrical environments and a proven installed base, Teldat delivers industrial platforms engineered to meet the cybersecurity demands of critical infrastructures. Teldat’s Regesta family holds High Category Certificate of Spanish National Security Framework (ENS).
Smart Grids using SD-WAN
Enhancing utility communications with policy‑driven routing, secure segmentation and adaptive connectivity across geographically dispersed grid assets.
Challenge
As Smart Grids expand and integrate thousands of substations, sensors, smart meters and distributed energy assets, utilities face increasing complexity in managing heterogeneous communication links. Many remote sites rely on mixed connectivity —PLC, fiber, cellular—making it difficult to ensure consistent performance and secure access. Traditional WAN architectures lack the agility to prioritize operational traffic, route telemetry efficiently, or maintain service continuity under link degradation.
In addition, the geographical dispersion of assets and the rise of cloud‑based OT applications intensify the need for dynamic, policy‑driven networking capable of adapting in real time. Utilities require an architecture that simplifies operations while ensuring reliable, secure, and predictable grid communications.
Solution
Teldat’s SD‑WAN solution enables utilities to unify and optimize communications across Smart Grid environments by orchestrating heterogeneous access technologies from a single intelligent platform. Dynamic path selection ensures that critical OT traffic always uses the most reliable, lowest‑latency links. Full support for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services enables seamless integration with substation architectures, legacy systems, and modern IP‑based deployments.
Centralized policy control enforces consistent security, segmentation and bandwidth management across distributed nodes. With template‑based provisioning and continuous link monitoring, SD‑WAN simplifies deployment while maintaining high service continuity in remote locations.
Why Teldat?
Teldat combines industrial‑grade hardware with advanced SD‑WAN intelligence tailored for Smart Grids environments. Its platforms deliver policy‑driven routing, secure remote access and centralized orchestration, enabling robust and scalable communications across diverse topologies, including Layer 2 based services.
Read our latest Blog Posts
Cybersecurity for Smart Grids: Protecting the energy infrastructure of the future
The digital transformation of the electricity sector has accelerated the adoption of Smart Grids: advanced energy infrastructures that integrate distributed generation, active demand response systems, and real-time bidirectional communication mechanisms enabled by...
The benefits of smart metering for energy consumers and suppliers
Businesses of all sizes are under steady pressure to reduce their power consumption – not just to mitigate rising energy costs, but also to meet green legislation requirements. Besides, stakeholders like investors, employees and customers increasingly judge a company...
Telecommunications in industrial automation
Industry is currently undergoing a significant transformation due to the increasing adoption of automation. Ongoing technological advancements have led to the development of more efficient systems and processes, and the role of communications has been one of the key...
