Case Study: Georgian State Electrosystem achieves reliable energy and blackout prevention with SEL emergency control systems

Georgian State Electrosystem averts blackouts in under 12 milliseconds with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE), the national electric utility of the Republic of Georgia, faced frequent nationwide blackouts due to an outdated and vulnerable power grid. The core challenge was protecting a critical 500 kV transmission line; when it faulted, it would cause cascading failures. GSE needed an immediate solution that could detect a fault and initiate a load-shedding response in under 100 milliseconds to prevent these blackouts. They partnered with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to address this.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories designed and installed a country-wide emergency control system (ECS) using SEL relays, which could react to events in less than 12 milliseconds. The entire system was implemented in under four months. The solution successfully prevented blackouts, proven when it operated correctly during five separate events in a single two-week period. This led to a new era of grid reliability for Georgia and initiated a continued partnership with SEL for further modernization projects.

Georgian State Electrosystem