Many of electronic music's sonic characteristics originate from electrical current, signals, and
frequency. Within the power grid, substations are where electricity is transformed, regulated,
and distributed.

Nanqi Substation, located in Kaohsiung, is one of Taipower's new-generation GIS substations
developed as part of Taiwan's Grid Resilience Enhancement Program. Rather than generating
electricity, it stabilizes and transfers power across different voltage levels, serving as a
critical node within Taiwan's independent power grid.

The most striking discovery during our field recording was not the abundance of sound, but
its remarkable quietness. Apart from the continuous low-frequency hum of the main
transformer, most equipment operates in near silence. Engineers explained that the steady
hum represents normal operation, while unexpected noises, vibrations, or alarms may indicate
changes in system conditions.

For Electric Musicology, Nanqi documents the sound of a stable power grid. These subtle
and often overlooked sonic characteristics become source materials for electronic music,
sound design, and new approaches to listening to Taiwan's electrical infrastructure.