Integrating Community Services into Above-Ground Secondary Substations

OVERVIEW

A2A, the Seeker for this Innocentive Challenge, is looking to identify designs for scalable and practical community value solutions that could be implemented on to new medium voltage secondary substations to provide additional services to the community.

In many cities, secondary substations are typically built underground due to limited space and aesthetic concerns. Above-ground alternatives are often overlooked, as they are perceived as bulky and impractical. However, if designed to incorporate public utility services, these substations could become a more attractive and widely accepted solution.

The goal of this challenge is to enhance the functionality of secondary substations by integrating innovative services in a short timeframe, that can benefit citizens and make these substations more acceptable to the Municipality of Milan. Your design of these services could range from public amenities to technological innovations that improve urban living. Solutions must be cost-effective to implement, durable and weatherproof, and provide clear, tangible value to local communities.

The ideas and solutions awarded in this Challenge will be used primarily for the construction of new above-ground secondary substations, incorporating innovative features and services.

This Challenge invites proposals from individual Solvers, teams, and start-ups/organizations to address these urban development issues with practical, scalable, and quick-to-implement solutions.

If you're interested in learning more about the Evaluators' requirements for this Challenge, we invite you to participate in our upcoming webinar:

Your IP Rights are protected in this Prize Challenge; A2A must award you to obtain them.

The best solution has the opportunity to win the award of $10,000 for meeting all must have solution requirements. This Challenge requires a written proposal to be submitted and Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by A2A against the Solution Requirements.

To receive an Award, Solvers are required to assign exclusive rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) in their proposed solution. Solvers will retain all rights to any proposal not Awarded.

 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 1, 2025.

Please review the later Participation Guidance section before submitting a proposal.

- Login or register your interest to start solving -

 

ABOUT THE SEEKER & ELIGIBILITY

The A2A Group is the largest Italian multi-utility, at the forefront of territorial services and technological solutions. We design smart and sustainable cities, with respect for the citizens. A2A is at the forefront of energy transition, implementing principles of circular economy in all our activities. With a far-reaching strategic plan, we manage the generation, sale and distribution of electricity and gas, district heating, waste collection and recovery, e-mobility, public lighting, and the integrated water services.

Unareti is the company within the A2A Group responsible for the distribution of electricity and gas, managing the networks and infrastructure essential for the transportation and delivery of these services to end customers. It oversees the management and maintenance of infrastructures, including meters, cabling, and secondary substations, ensuring safety, reliability, and technological innovation in the service.

Unareti plays a key role in addressing challenges related to the resilience of energy infrastructures, such as those caused by extreme weather events. It is also pivotal in the energy transition, integrating innovative solutions for smart and sustainable grids. For this reason, it is the primary stakeholder in the challenge, which aims to prevent and mitigate electrical service disruptions caused by events like the flooding of secondary substations.

 

THE CHALLENGE

BACKGROUND

The management of electrical infrastructure in cities presents a complex challenge, especially in densely populated urban areas such as Milan.

A critical part of the infrastructure are secondary substations, which receive electrical energy from the medium voltage network and:

• Transforms it via the transformer.
• Distributes it through the LV switchgear to end-users.
• Monitors and protects the system to prevent disruptions or damage.

In this context of Milan, secondary substations are predominantly located within enclosed underground rooms rather than being constructed above ground.

Each secondary cabin must comply with specific safety regulations to ensure the protection of specialized personnel. These facilities require routine inspections and maintenance activities, which must be carried out exclusively by qualified personnel to monitor the structure and verify its integrity in the event of accidental impacts, damage, or tampering. The enclosed nature of these installations complicates intervention efforts, leading to longer response times and increased operational costs, particularly during emergencies. Confined spaces also demand strict adherence to safety standards, resulting in significantly greater effort for maintenance, inspection, and day-to-day management. This remains one of the key critical challenges associated with underground electrical infrastructure.

Another critical problem is the vulnerability of these substations to extreme weather events, especially flooding. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 500 flooding incidents were recorded in Lombardy, particularly affecting hundreds of substations in Milan. Approximately 75% of Milan’s secondary substations are located below ground level, making them highly susceptible to water ingress caused by heavy rainfall, rising groundwater, and even failures in third-party pipes. Repair costs and emergency interventions are substantial, and the risks are expected to increase due to climate change.

In contrast, above-ground secondary substations - while often seen as less desirable due to their visual impact on public spaces - offer several key advantages. They provide easier access for routine maintenance and emergency repairs, particularly during flooding events, and better support the integration of smart grid technologies and digital infrastructure. Additionally, they tend to have lower long-term operational and maintenance costs, offer greater modularity, and are more adaptable to evolving energy needs.

Despite these benefits, above-ground substations often face resistance due to their perceived impact on urban aesthetics and the occupation of valuable public space in densely populated areas. To overcome this resistance and fully realize their benefits, above-ground substations must be reimagined as multifunctional urban elements, thoughtfully integrated into the city both visually and socially. This involves not only ensuring architectural harmony with the surrounding landscape, but also creating added value for the citizens, who are the true protagonists of urban life.

By incorporating public amenities or services these structures can provide tangible value. In this way, they no longer represent a loss of public space, but rather a reinvestment of it, becoming multi-functional assets that contribute to the quality of urban life and foster a stronger connection between infrastructure and community.

 

Structure and key construction requirements of an Above-Ground Secondary Substation

• Building/Enclosure:
  • Prefabricated structure made of durable and weatherproof materials (concrete, metal, etc.)
  • Designed to securely protect internal electrical equipment
  • Unauthorized access prevented through locks and signage
  • Complies with electrical safety standards
     
• External Components:
  • Cooling and Ventilation: Vents, grills, or fans for airflow and temperature regulation
  • Access Doors and Panels: Lockable for safe maintenance and inspection access
  • External Indicators and Controls: Visual status indicators accessible without opening the enclosure
  • Safety Signage: Warning labels about high voltage and safety precautions
  • Grounding Connections: Visible grounding points for safe fault current discharge
  • Cable Entry Points: Sealed openings for MV and LV cable connections, maintaining enclosure integrity
  • Lighting Fixtures: External lights for safe operation in low-light conditions
     
• Location and Accessibility:
  • Installed on the ground floor, preferably on an embankment
  • Positioned within the property boundary, adjacent to and with direct access from the public road
  • Access strictly reserved for the Distributor, available 24/7 without prior notice or restrictions, supporting personnel and vehicle movement
     
• Vehicle Access and Space Requirements:
  • The entrance and surrounding outdoor areas must allow free movement of equipment using a truck with these specifications:
    • Gross vehicle weight: 25 tons
    • Turning radius: 9 m
    • Length: 12 m
    • Width: 5 m (with stabilizers extended), 2.6 m (retracted)
    • Height: 5 m (with crane arm extended)
    • All maneuvering spaces must be open-air and free of any obstructions, including temporary ones such as trees, poles, outdoor furniture, scaffolding, material deposits, or overhead lines.
       
• Construction and Installation Responsibilities:
  • All civil works and required permits are the full responsibility of the user.
  • The cabin must not contain user-controlled systems (fire alarms, surveillance, intrusion protection) or unrelated metal structures, conduits, or pipes (such as plumbing or sewage).
     

Secondary Substation Models that could be redesigned for Public Utility Service Integration

Below are the typical models of secondary substations where additional public utility services can be integrated. These represent the main types of cabins found in different contexts, each with specific dimensional and accessibility characteristics.

1. Urban Secondary Substation (Minibox)
Installed in dense urban areas of large cities, where available space is limited and land costs are high.

• Internal dimensions: Width 1900 mm × Depth 2800 mm × Height 1950  mm
• Accessibility requirements: 4 access points (4 doors)
• Minimum door sizes: Doors 1-2 → Width 1960  mm × Height 1600 mm; Doors 3-4 → Width 970  mm × Height 1600 mm
• Roof: Removable to allow entry of components from above; equipped with lifting points for transport and installation

2. Semi-Urban Secondary Substation (Standard Box)
Found in semi-urban or suburban contexts, such as small towns, with medium-sized plots and moderate land costs.

• Internal dimensions: Width 2300 mm × Depth 5530 mm × Height 2500 mm
• Accessibility requirements: 1 access point (2 doors)
• Door sizes: Doors 1-2 → Width 1200  mm × Height 2150  mm
• Windows: At least 2 windows with minimum size Width 1200 mm × Height 500 mm
• Roof: Equipped with lifting points for transport and installation

Figure 1: Above-ground secondary substation example 1 – box details of urban secondary substation Minibox.



Figure 2: Above-ground secondary substation example 1 – Right side and medium voltage compartment of urban secondary substation Minibox.


Figure 3: Above-ground secondary substation example 1 – Urban secondary substation Minibox.



Figure 4: Above-ground secondary substation example 2 – box details of the semi-urban secondary substation Standard box.
 

Figure 5: Above-ground secondary substation example 2 – Front and right side elevation of the semi-urban secondary substation Standard box.


Figure 6: Above-ground secondary substation example 2 – semi-urban standard box.
 

Attached you will find the document “Technical Specification of Minibox and Standard box” with the layout and elevations of the two above-ground secondary substations, for further reference when constructing your solution.

Standards and Safety

Secondary substations must comply with stringent regulations (e.g., CEI 0-16, CEI EN 50522) to ensure electrical safety, fault protection, and minimal environmental impact. All secondary substation designs must:

• Adhere to applicable building regulations.
• Respect constraints on aspects that must remain unchanged, including possible restrictions on construction materials.
• Exclude solutions tied to specific installation contexts, such as environmental shielding, to guarantee full compliance with normative requirements and avoid compromising any existing certifications.

Additional safety and regulatory compliance requirements include:

• The substation cabin must not be adjacent to or directly communicate with hazardous zones such as explosion-risk areas or locations subject to special regulations (e.g., medical facilities) to minimize risks in case of fire or other emergencies.

• In adjacent rooms where human occupancy exceeds four hours daily (protected areas), the client must install appropriate electromagnetic shielding in accordance with DPCM 8 July 2003 to ensure protection from electromagnetic exposure. If it is not possible to limit occupancy to under four hours, a minimum safety distance of 2.5 meters must be maintained on all sides of the cabin (floor, ceiling, and walls) to comply with population exposure limits to electromagnetic fields as defined by DPCM 8 July 2003 and Decree 29 May 2008.
• Any electromagnetic shielding works for the cabin must be performed on the external walls of the enclosure.

Attached you will find the document “Construction Requirements Unareti”, which covers the standards and compliance requirements, along with additional information useful for Solvers creating their solution.

 

THE CHALLENGE

A2A and Unareti are seeking innovative, practical, and scalable short- and medium-term solutions to support the integration of secondary substations into the urban environment through the implementation of public utility services for citizens.

The main goal of this challenge is to promote a transformative approach to urban electrical infrastructure by encouraging the adoption of above-ground substations that can be easily integrated with innovative public utility services. This integration would not only improve public acceptance and perception but also turn these structures into multifunctional urban assets, adding value to the city’s infrastructure. Above-ground substations would be more widely promoted and considered for construction if they can integrate public utility services that benefit the citizens.

Furthermore, the challenge seeks practical, scalable, and quickly-implementable solutions capable of creating more value for the deployment of new above-ground substations.

Participants are invited to propose solutions that introduce useful and innovative services around the presence of substations, without modifying their design or structure.

Proposals should:

1. Include complementary services that can be implemented on the external surfaces and in the near surrounding space of the secondary substation;
2. Be scalable and adaptable to different urban environments, contexts and various substation types and models;
3. Be quick to deploy, with a focus on immediate and visible benefits for citizens;
4. Contribute to improving the visibility and perception of substations as positive, functional elements of the urban landscape.

The ideal solutions will bring added value to existing infrastructure while aligning with sustainability, innovation, and citizen engagement goals.

This A2A Challenge calls for the Innocentive Solver community to bring innovative technologies and methodologies that address the shortcomings of existing solutions, ensuring the innovation and integration of secondary substations in the urban environment.

Areas of Activity at A2A – Inspiration for Integrated Community Services:

Solvers are encouraged to explore potential synergies and consider a wide range of services that could be meaningfully integrated on or around above-ground secondary substations.

The following sectors offer possible sources of inspiration, though this list is by no means exhaustive. On the contrary, proposals that go beyond these examples and introduce original, citizen-centric ideas are strongly encouraged:

• E-mobility
  Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, micro-mobility solutions and related digital services
• Smart City Solutions
  Urban digital services such as smart lighting, smart benches, public Wi-Fi, and sensor networks (e.g. environmental monitoring)
• Renewable Energy & Distributed Generation
  Solar-powered devices, information displays on local energy production/consumption, or community energy awareness hubs
• Waste Management and Circular Economy
  Recycling info points or tools that promote sustainable waste practices and citizen awareness
• Water and Energy Services
  Displays offering energy- and water-saving tips, or small-scale infrastructure supporting local sustainability goals
• Citizen Engagement & Education
  Digital info points, interactive panels, or educational displays on energy use, sustainability, and local services

These areas can serve as a starting point for designing added-value services that align with A2A’s mission and enhance the urban environment for residents and visitors alike. Other relevant service types not explicitly mentioned may also be proposed, as long as they add value to the urban environment.

Please also use the two attached documents for further context on the construction and compliance requirements, including the technical specifications of A2A and Unareti’s above-ground secondary substations.


SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS

Any solution must deliver clear, tangible benefits to people in the city or surrounding area of the substation. Solutions that integrate additional services must consider their operational impact — including management effort, ease of maintenance, potential advantages or drawbacks, and economic implications over time.

A2A is primarily interested in solutions with the potential to meet the following requirements:

Must have:.

• A simple graphic illustration of the community value solution and how it fits with the above-ground substation, highlighting its main external components to clarify the design and spatial arrangement.
• Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure and Regulations
  Solutions must retain the cabin’s existing external shape, dimensions, and operation of the infrastructure - working within the current setup without requiring structural changes to substations. Must comply with relevant legal, safety, and zoning requirements (a baseline requirement for implementation). Use the attachments on this Challenge, as well as the figures throughout, to align with the existing infrastructure requirements.
• Innovative Approach
  Creativity and originality are encouraged, especially when applied to known technologies or service models. Solutions that go beyond A2A’s core areas of activity are appreciated, if accompanied by a purpose statement for why A2A is best placed to assist with the service providing value to citizens.
• Durable, Reliable, and Cost-Effective to Implement
  The cabin must remain waterproof, well-ventilated, and resistant to weather, vandalism, and daily wear to ensure continuous operation over time. Your solution should also prove durable to both the elements and wear and tear over time, including with minimal upkeep to remain functional and efficient over time.
• Solutions should be financially feasible, both in terms of initial investment and long-term costs.
• Modularity, Scalability, and Replicability
  Solutions must be modular, scalable, and adaptable in both construction and visual style. Size and complexity should vary according to the context and type of electrical infrastructure. Proposals should ensure consistent, recognizable features across variations to maintain identity and facilitate easy replication in different environments.

Nice-to-Have:

Participants are encouraged to differentiate their proposals by including:

• Detailed graphics, blueprints, or mockups of the solution on the above-ground substation would be given extra weight in evaluation, for their attention to detail and demonstration of the Solver’s design capabilities.
• Sustainability-Oriented: Preference for solutions that support environmental goals, such as energy efficiency, reduced emissions, or use of sustainable materials.
• Ideas to improve the visual or social integration of the substation within the community.
• Social inclusion: designs promoting social inclusion through community activities and communication elements (e.g., monitors, projectors) to share information will be positively regarded.

Things to Avoid:

• Modifications to the Interior of Substations
  Proposals should avoid any interventions or modifications inside the substation units themselves. The focus is on external development and integration of new services without altering the internal electrical infrastructure or equipment.
• Modifications to Construction Materials
  Changes related to construction materials, such as soundproofing materials or structural components, will not be considered in the Challenge.
• Solutions Tied to Specific Installation Contexts
  Avoid solutions that depend on specific environmental contexts, such as specialized environmental shielding or site-specific adaptations that limit broader applicability.
• Simple Service Layering or Basic Combinations
  Avoid basic combinations of existing A2A services without added value. For example, placing a standard EV charging point or a basic waste bin near a substation, without integration, innovation, or multifunctional purpose, is not sufficient. The proposal must go beyond merely co-locating known services.
• Greenery or Plant-Based Additions Without Functionality
  While green infrastructure can enhance urban aesthetics, simply adding plants or greenery (e.g. vertical gardens or planters) without a clear functional benefit or integration into a broader service concept is not aligned with the challenge objectives and will not be accepted.
• Ideas Not Aligned with Urban Use or Citizen Utility
  Services that do not offer clear public value or are disconnected from real urban needs (e.g. overly niche technologies or artistic installations without utility) will not be prioritized.
• High-Cost or Technologically Complex Solutions
  Avoid ideas that require significant investment, complex technologies, or long implementation times. Proposals should be cost-effective and feasible in the short-to-medium term.
• Temporary or Fragile Installations
  Proposals that are not durable, vandal-resistant, or designed for long-term outdoor use in a public space should be avoided.
• Non-Scalable Concepts
  Solutions that are difficult to replicate across different locations or require highly specific conditions to work are not suitable.

 

 

Solutions with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6-9 are invited.

 

This Prize Challenge has the following features:

1. Your IP Rights are protected in this Prize Challenge; A2A must award you to obtain them.
2. The best solution(s) has the opportunity to win the award of $10,000 USD for meeting all must have solution requirements, as solely determined by A2A.
3. Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by A2A against the Solution Requirements.
4. To receive an Award, Solvers are required to assign exclusive rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) in their proposed solution.
5. A2A may also issue “Honorable Mention” recognitions for notable submissions that are not selected for monetary awards.
    

YOUR SUBMISSION

Please note, A2A requires all Solver proposals to include the following:

• Technical documentation: a detailed explanation of the solution’s operation and effects, schematics, materials, and mechanisms.
• Implementation plan: a phased plan that outlines the steps required for deployment by A2A, including timelines and resources required.
• Feasibility study: where possible, an analysis of the solution’s scalability, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with existing substation designs.

Additionally, if your solution is mature or market ready, it would also be of interest if you could provide details around:

• Prototypes or proof of concept: if applicable, include details and evidence of your prototypes or case studies demonstrating successful implementation of your solution in similar contexts.
• Interest in collaboration or scaling your solution across A2A and Unareti facilities.

Please login and register your interest, to complete the submission form.

The submitted proposals must be written in English and can include:

1. Participation type – you will first be asked to inform us how you are participating in this challenge, as a Solver (Individual), Team, or Solver (Organization).
2. Solution Level - the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your solution.
3. Partnering – there may be an opportunity for applicants with high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) solutions to collaborate with A2A on the implementation of solutions. Please indicate if this is of interest to you.
4. Problem & Opportunity - highlight the innovation in your approach to the Problem, its point of difference, and the specific advantages/benefits this brings (up to 500 words).
5. Solution Overview - detail the features of your solution and how they address the SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS (500 words, there is space to add more in the summary field, and attach supporting data, diagrams, etc). This Challenge’s specific solution requirements include:
   • Technical documentation
   • Simple graphic illustration
   • Prototype/PoC details, if applicable – for Solvers submitting high TRL submissions.
   • Commercial market examples of use, if applicable – for Solvers submitting mature products.
6. Solution Feasibility – Supporting Information and Rationale, such as references and precedents, that will help A2A evaluate and validate the feasibility of the solution (up to 500 words).
7. Experience - Expertise, use cases and skills you or your organization have in relation to your proposed solution.  (up to 500 words).
8. Solution Risks - any risks you see with your solution and how you would plan for this (up to 500 words).
9. Timeline, capability and costs - describe what you think is required to deliver the solution, estimated time and cost, and implementation plan (up to 500 words).
10. Online References - provide links to any publications, articles or press releases of relevance (up to 500 words).
11. Attachments – provide additional information, illustrations, or designs of the solution.

 

PARTICIPATION GUIDANCE

1. Submission Close Date: Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 1^st, 2025.
2. Late submissions: Late submissions will not be considered.
3. Multiple submissions, 3 Maximum: In case of multiple submissions by the same Solver, only 3 submissions – the final 3 submitted – will be considered. Any other submissions will be deleted prior to evaluation.
4. Submission form and attachments: Your submission will be evaluated by the evaluation team first reviewing the information and content you have submitted at the submission form, with attachments used as additional context to your form submission. Submissions relying solely on attachments will receive less attention from the evaluation team.
5. Evaluation notification steps: After the Challenge submission close date, A2A will review and select the winning solutions according to the timeline in the Challenge header. Everyone who submits a proposal will be notified about the status of their submissions.
6. Use of AI: Please note that any submissions produced solely with generative AI are not of interest.
7. Learn more: Find out more about participation in Innocentive Challenges.