Case Study: Red Dog Mine achieves blackout mitigation and system stability with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) power management solution

Red Dog Mine cuts blackout risk with SEL, limiting throughput loss to 2%

Red Dog Mine, an islanded mining facility in Alaska, experienced three blackouts in one year due to its isolated power system. Their existing protection equipment provided minimal data, making it impossible to determine the root cause of events. To improve system stability and ensure quick restoration, they enlisted Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to implement a powerMAX Power Management and Control System.

The solution designed by SEL included generation control, load-shedding, and a bus preservation scheme to maintain stability and prevent widespread blackouts. When the mine later experienced an overcurrent event, the system successfully isolated the fault, resulting in only a temporary 2% reduction in throughput instead of a total blackout. Operators noted that the cost of a single full blackout would have exceeded the cost of the entire SEL system.

Red Dog Mine