Siemens and 1898 & Co. Partner to Secure the Evolving Power Grid

A new solution combining Siemens’ advanced grid simulation software with 1898 & Co.’s engineering implementation services aims to automate and scale protection coordination for utilities navigating rising system complexity and regulatory requirements.

Context: Complexity in Modern Power Grids
Electric utilities are confronting simultaneous pressures from increased inverter-based renewable generation, bidirectional power flows, and stringent reliability standards such as NERC PRC-027-1. Traditional manual processes for protection coordination — historically performed with spreadsheets and static tools — struggle to keep pace with these dynamics and with the retirement of experienced protection engineers. Many smaller utilities lack sufficient in-house capacity to conduct the detailed coordination studies now mandated by regulators.

Integrated Software and Engineering Services
The strategic collaboration between Siemens and 1898 & Co. integrates Siemens’ Gridscale X Advanced Protection Assessment software with 1898 & Co.’s engineering services to deliver a turnkey protection study offering. Under this arrangement, 1898 & Co. will resell and implement the Siemens software, enabling utilities to automate the evaluation of relay settings, simulate fault scenarios rapidly, and identify vulnerabilities such as blind spots or potential false trips that are difficult to detect manually.

The approach replaces static, error-prone documentation with dynamic digital models that speed up repetitive calculations and streamline compliance reporting. 1898 & Co. applies domain expertise to interpret results, remediate protection settings, and guide utilities through complex regulatory audits and implementation tasks.

Practical Benefits for Utilities
Utilities adopting the combined solution can reduce engineering hours spent on manual coordination tasks and improve the reliability of protection schemes before faults occur. The software’s automation capabilities free engineering resources for higher-value planning and system improvement activities. This shift from manual spreadsheets to digitally driven assessments addresses labor shortages in the protection domain while offering scalable, repeatable processes suited for increasingly dynamic grids.

Technology Differentiation
Gridscale X Advanced Protection Assessment is part of Siemens’ broader Gridscale X portfolio, a modular software suite designed for autonomous grid management and digital transformation. It differentiates itself from conventional protection tools by embedding simulation and digital-twin capabilities that operate across planning and operational contexts. The combination with a dedicated engineering services partner extends the offering beyond software licensing to include implementation and compliance support, which can be particularly valuable for smaller or resource-constrained utilities.

In a competitive landscape where utilities are increasingly looking for automated, scalable grid software, the Siemens + 1898 & Co. solution responds to both technical and workforce challenges by uniting advanced simulation technology with practical execution expertise.

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