---
title: "Substation inventory for a grid territory or area"
method: POST
path: "/api/osm-geo/substation-finder"
tags: ["OSM Geo (OpenStreetMap)"]
---

# Substation inventory for a grid territory or area

`POST /api/osm-geo/substation-finder`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.cernion.de`
- URL: `https://api.cernion.de/api/osm-geo/substation-finder`
- Auth: none declared

Inventories substations and transformers within a defined area using OpenStreetMap data.

Returns both a detail list and **aggregated statistics**:
- Total count by voltage level (NS/MS/HS/EHS)
- Operator split with dominant operator share
- Area density assessment: `SPARSE` < 0.5/km², `RURAL` 0.5–2, `SUBURBAN` 2–5, `URBAN` > 5 substations/km²

**Scope input:** at least one of `location` (place name), `boundingBox` (from vnbdigital_lookup), or `gridOperator` name.

**Data:** © OpenStreetMap contributors, [ODbL 1.0](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/)

## Query parameters

- `token` string

## Request body

- object
  - `location` string: Area name (Gemeinde, Stadt, Landkreis) for OSM area query.
  - `postalCode` string: German PLZ (postal code). Combined with location when both are provided (e.g. "74909 Meckesheim"). Can be used alone for PLZ-scoped queries.
  - `boundingBox` object: Geographic bounding box — directly compatible with the bbox field from vnbdigital_lookup.
    - `north` number
    - `south` number
    - `east` number
    - `west` number
  - `gridOperator` string: VNB name — used as OSM area name fallback.
  - `gridOperatorId` string: MaStR VNB ID (SNB…).
  - `voltageLevel` string: Filter by voltage level: NS, MS, HS, EHS.
  - `substationType` string: Filter by substation type: distribution, transmission, ALL.
  - `maxResults` number: Maximum number of objects in the detail list.
  - `include_geometry` boolean: Include polygon geometry for way/relation substations.
  - `token` string: Optional Cernion MCP token for this request. Overrides CERNION_TOKEN when provided.

## Response `200`

Substation inventory retrieved successfully

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/cernion/apis/cernion-energy-tools-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/cernion/apis/cernion-energy-tools-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/cernion/apis/cernion-energy-tools-api/revisions/cdb94473b538?raw)