Case Study: Elia Group integrates offshore wind into the European grid with SEL protection and networking solutions

Elia Group integrates offshore wind into the European grid in 10 months with SEL

The customer, Elia Group, the Belgian high-voltage transmission system operator, faced the challenge of integrating a large amount of offshore wind power and a new international power link into the European grid without compromising stability. They required a special protection scheme (SPS) to be implemented under a very tight deadline to avoid potential blackouts. They selected Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to provide this solution based on their advanced relay technology and proven experience.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories implemented a special protection scheme using their SEL-451, SEL-3555, SEL-2240, and SEL-2740S devices, the latter featuring software-defined networking for secure communications. The SPS was delivered in under ten months and performed twice as fast as required, responding to disturbances in just 20 milliseconds. This allowed the new grid connection to go live on schedule, enabling the successful integration of renewable energy that powers millions of homes in Belgium and the UK and improves regional energy security.

Elia Group