The urgency of adding additional layers of security at our nation’s substations is paramount. According to data from the Department of Energy, grid security breaches reached an all-time high in 2023 with most of these attacks being ballistic in nature.
Physical attacks on our substations disrupt the supply of electricity, jeopardize public safety, and can lead to significant economic losses. Enhanced security measures are no longer optional but a critical necessity to protect our national infrastructure.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been advocating for increased investment in physical security measures and encouraging utilities to review and strengthen their security plans.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) “2023 State of Reliability” report (SOR), highlights the necessity to further develop measures to enhance security aimed at mitigating these physical attacks.
In light of these challenges, Grid Guardian has designed a comprehensive solution leveraging advanced technologies and battle-proven expertise that can be quickly and affordably deployed meeting the needs of utilities.
Developed by a team of ex-Department of Defense ballistics and survivability experts with extensive experience in manufacturing, the Field Shield ventilated ballistic barrier system by Grid Guardian is designed to be a first line of defense in a layered mitigation strategy.
The Field Shield is not a perimeter fence, but rather a ballistic shield designed to sit as close as 4 feet from the critical asset, such as the transformer.
Key Features:
- High Ballistic Protection: Complies with U.S. Military Grade armor standards (NIJ-Level III, CEN B6, and STANAG) using 100% American Sourced and Manufactured Armor
- Durability: Boasts a 30+ year life cycle with no maintenance required
- Ease of Installation: Semi-permanent and easy to set up, designed for flexible deployment with minimal site prep and no civil engineering needed
- Ventilation: The “WaveGuide Technology” promotes airflow, crucial for preventing overheating of electrical components
- Certified and Tested: Meets rigorous safety and compliance standards, ensuring reliable performance with the ability to withstand up to 200mph straight line wind speeds.
- Semi-Permanent: Made up of individual components including the Sentry, Pivot and Flex, the Field Shield can be reconfigured or moved to a new location
- Precision Manufacturing: 85,000/sq. ft of manufacturing space in North Carolina with all welding following NAVSEA MIL-STD-278 / TARDEC TACOM D1.1 compliance using CNC Fiber Laser cutting technology
Substation Security
Field Shield products are an investment in the resilience and security of critical infrastructure, making them indispensable for utility companies, public facilities, and other high-risk sites. By integrating these advanced protective systems we can better shield our nation’s critical assets from physical threats and ensure a safer, more secure future.