Substation Construction Monitoring for National Grid

The Project: Uxbridge Moor Substation

In 2025, Murphy secured a landmark contract with National Grid to deliver a new substation at Uxbridge Moor, Buckinghamshire. This critical infrastructure project provides 1.8 GW of capacity — enough to power over a dozen new data centres and support network resilience in the region. As a leader in sustainable construction, the project uses SF6‑free gas‑insulated switchgear, reducing the site's physical footprint by over 70%.

Precision Monitoring with the Sensorbee Fleet

To manage the environmental impact of the build, Murphy deployed a specialised fleet of Sensorbee Air Pro 2 Cellular units. This setup allows for total site coverage without the need for existing power or data cables.

Air Quality & Dust Control

The Sensorbee Air Pro 2 units track particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) during heavy civil works and the construction of the 1.2 km raised access road, ensuring compliance with MCERTS-certified standards.

Integrated Noise Management

Using Sensorbee Sound Level Sensors, the team monitors noise levels (dBA) in real time to stay within strict construction hour limits and minimise disruption to the local community.

Site-Wide Vibration Tracking

Rugged vibration sensors are strategically placed across the construction site to monitor mechanical impacts from piling and heavy machinery. This ensures the structural integrity of the existing Iver substation and nearby utilities is maintained throughout the project.

Operational Excellence & Results

• Automated Site Intelligence: Data is transmitted via NB-IoT/LTE-M directly to the Sensorbee Cloud, where Murphy's environmental team can remotely monitor live site status and receive automated alerts for any threshold breaches.

• Sustainability Driven: By operating on solar power, the Sensorbee units help cut emissions linked to site mobilisation and operational activity, directly supporting Murphy's wider carbon‑reduction goals.