[OSM-talk] Should we be mapping transformers and powerlines?

[Russ Garrett]

On Thu, 19 Jan 2023 at 17:41, john whelan <jwhelan0112 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I accept powerlines are fine and visible on other maps but the case for transformers isn't quite so strong.

In the UK, the location of major transmission lines and substations is
freely available on the National Grid website (well, it's under a
restrictive license but that's not going to stop an attacker):
https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/network-route-maps

The location of major distribution substations is openly published by
all the electricity distribution network operators in the UK. Some of
them now openly publish highly detailed data on their networks. This
approach is increasingly common across Europe - if anything, the UK is
lagging behind the rest of Europe.

In the USA, the Department for Homeland Security publishes similar
data on substations and transmission lines (it's not as accurate)
along with a whole lot more geospatial data on critical
infrastructure:
https://hifld-geoplatform.opendata.arcgis.com/

It's clear that all these countries have accepted that security by
obscurity doesn't work - transmission substations and transmission
lines are extremely obvious and would be very straightforward to
identify from aerial imagery.

-- 
Russ Garrett
russ at garrett.co.uk