Solutions

Utility Grid Modernization

SEL provides grid modernization solutions that improve reliability, resiliency, and readiness for future demand—at any scale.

The electric power grid is an engineering marvel—the largest, most complex machine ever built—but aging systems designed to meet 20th century needs are straining under 21st century demands. The shift toward renewable energy and the accelerating electrification of transportation and economic activity demand upgrades to the grid and the systems that protect and control it.

Our Solutions

Smart solutions that improve the reliability and resiliency of every part of the grid.

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Our Approach

Streamlined program management, expert engineering, and solutions scaled to your needs.

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Partnership and Support

A global network of application engineers supports every SEL solution.

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Grid Modernization Solutions

From targeted upgrades to multiyear modernization programs, SEL provides advanced technology, expert engineering, and project and program support that prepare utility grids for tomorrow’s demands.

As the company that introduced the world’s first digital protective relays to the market, the first to integrate phasor measurement unit (PMU) functionality into our devices, and now with software-based solutions on our secure, scalable Blueframe platform, SEL has been optimizing the performance, safety, and economy of electric power through smart grid technologies from the very beginning.

We continue to invent the future with the world’s fastest line protective relay, the SEL-T401L, which uses traveling-wave and incremental-quantity-based principles to provide tripping speeds as fast as 1–2 milliseconds and locate faults to within a single tower span.

Why Is Grid Modernization Important?

Modernizing the systems that protect and control the electrical grid allows utilities to increase operational flexibility, improve reliability, and optimize asset life and power quality.

With modernized smart grid systems, electric utilities can:

Minimize fault-related outages by automatically isolating a faulted line segment and reconfiguring the grid to restore service.
Integrate renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, while maintaining grid reliability.
Ensure grid stability through wide-area transmission monitoring and control.
Defend and protect against cyber attacks.
Improve protection of people, equipment, and the environment.

Custom Panels and Enclosures

Designed, assembled, wired, and tested to meet your application needs.

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Protection and Control System Modernization

Increase operational flexibility, improve reliability, and optimize asset life and power quality.

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Distribution Automation and Management

Minimize fault-related outages and automatically reconfigure the grid to restore service.

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Renewable Energy Integration

Integrate renewables and distributed energy resources while ensuring grid reliability.

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Grid Stability and Wide-Area Monitoring

Protection, monitoring, and control solutions that ensure transmission grid stability.

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Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure

Layered cybersecurity defenses keep your critical infrastructure secure.

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Wildfire Mitigation

Mitigate wildfire ignition risks with solutions that detect downed and broken conductors.

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Line Protection

Improve system stability and security with SEL line protection solutions.

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The SEL Approach

SEL offers a simpler, leaner approach to modernization programs, with a single PO for the entire process—from design and permitting through building, installation, and commissioning. This simplifies project management, budgeting, and timelines, ensuring on-time delivery.

You have access to SEL engineering experts throughout the entire process, from design through commissioning—and even after the modernization projects are complete. Our global corps of application engineers provide technical support for the entire lifetime of every SEL-manufactured device, at no additional cost.

It all adds up not only to smoother program implementation, but also to lower O&M costs for the entire life of the modernized system.

When you partner with SEL on a modernization program, you have access to our engineering experts before, during, and after all the projects are done.

SEL Engineering Services can assist with everything from protection studies and system modeling to design, procurement, installation, and commissioning.

We use advanced modeling and simulation, informed by decades of power engineering experience, to analyze system requirements, validate full system designs, and optimize the performance of the grid through the devices that protect and control it.

After your modernized systems are commissioned, whenever technical questions arise and devices need service, we’ll be ready to help. We support every device we manufacture and every system we design for the entirety of its lifecycle.

SEL customer service reps and application engineers are stationed in regional offices across North America and around the world, so you can always count on reaching a friendly, knowledgeable human who can connect you with the resources you need.

The SEL Quality Philosophy

See how we ensure the quality and reliability of the devices we manufacture.

SEL System and Product Certifications

SEL systems, processes, and products are certified to internationally recognized standards.

Engineering Services

Modernize the grid with custom-engineered, turnkey solutions and services.

Partnership and Support

We believe you should never have to worry about whether your protection and control systems will be working when you need them most. That’s why you always have access to SEL engineers—and every device we manufacture comes with a ten-year warranty and free technical support.

After your modernized systems are commissioned, our application engineers provide technical support for SEL products at no cost.

As long as your SEL products remain in service, you have free access to direct technical support from SEL engineers—not just a handful of customer-facing product engineers, but a large corps of application engineers who are intimately familiar with the way our devices are deployed and the systems they support in the field.

Customer support staff and application engineers are stationed in regional offices across North America and around the world.

No matter how often you need to call or how long your SEL products have been in service, our customer service and technical support professionals are ready to help.

Warranty and Technical Support

SEL product warranty info—plus how to return a product or contact tech support.

Security Notifications and Updates

Stay informed on cyber vulnerabilities and keep your SEL products up-to-date.

Cybersecurity Solutions

Solutions and services that help you implement and maintain layered cybersecurity defenses.

SEL University

Training and education for power system engineers, technicians, and managers.

Utility Grid Modernization

Grid Modernization Solutions

Why Is Grid Modernization Important?

The SEL Approach

Partnership and Support

Managing Growing Demand With Rayburn Electric Cooperative