In March 2025, my colleague Daniel Maurice and I had the pleasure of representing Welotec at the Smart Grid Technical Forums (SGT25) in The Hague, hosted by Smart Grid Forums—a come-together of energy professionals, utility experts, and technology providers all focused on one thing: building the power grid of the future.
For us, SGT25 was was an opportunity to connect and to talk about some of the most exciting developments in substation automation, particularly around virtualization and digital communication infrastructure.
Welotec at Booth 22: Demonstrating What’s Possible
We welcomed visitors to booth 22, where we showcased our latest innovations for digital substations.
We had the chance to walk people through:
• IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 certified computing and networking devices for power substations, proving their resilience in demanding environments
• Our rugged EdgeGateways, ready to handle complex edge computing applications
• Welotec’s LTE450 and 4G routers designed for secure, stable connectivity in secondary substations
• And an optimized antenna setup that rounds out a future-ready communications architecture
But what truly captured everyone’s attention was our live multi-vendor vPAC demo setup, which featured a virtualized Protection, Automation, and Control (PAC) system brought to life with contributions from:
• OMICRON electronics – testing and measurement
• ABB – virtual protection relay
• Red Hat – hypervisor technology
• Atop – time synchronization
This setup not only showcased technical interoperability but also the spirit of collaboration that’s essential in driving innovation forward. Download the flyer of the demo setup now!
Virtualization Roundtable
One of my personal highlights from SGT25 was taking part in a roundtable discussion focused on virtualization in substations. With more than ten participants around the table, including both vendors and utility representatives, the discussion was rich with insight, challenges, and shared experiences.
It was especially valuable to hear directly from utilities about their organizational and technological concerns. These perspectives remind us that virtualization isn’t just about technology—it’s about integration, trust, and adapting operational models to new realities.
My 5 Key Takeaways from SGT25
Reflecting on what we saw and shared in The Hague, here are five key insights that I believe are shaping the future of substation automation:
Virtualization is Gaining Momentum
The energy sector is clearly embracing virtualized PAC systems. With Welotec’s setups, we demonstrated how virtualization enhances flexibility, scalability, and future readiness for substations.
Communication is the Backbone
Reliable, secure connectivity is non-negotiable. Our communication solutions are critical in ensuring smooth substation automation operations.
Standards Matter
Compliance with IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 is crucial because they ensure reliable, resilient performance of devices and communication systems in the harsh electrical and environmental conditions of substations, helping maintain uninterrupted operation and data integrity. Our certified products provide durability and interoperability in demanding environments.
Integrated Testing = Faster Deployment
Through our work with OMICRON electronics, we’ve seen how integrated testing simplifies and accelerates vPAC deployments. We even hosted a joint webinar on this topic ahead of the show.
Collaboration is the Key
The real power of SGT25 was in the partnerships. We saw other companys' hardware installations and applications featuring Welotec Servers! This Multi Vendor aspect, like our collaborations with ABB, OMICRON, Red Hat, Atop, and many more is what drives this industry forward.
A Big Thanks to the Team and Our Partners
Behind every booth and demo is a lot of hard work. I want to thank Daniel Maurice, Jos Zenner, Jeorge J. Olague, Sascha Werner, and Ratgar Beckmann from the Welotec team for making this all happen.
See You Next Time
SGT25 reaffirmed for us that we’re heading in the right direction—but there’s more work ahead. We left The Hague energized by the conversations we had and the momentum we’re building together.
We’ll continue pushing boundaries and delivering solutions that meet both today’s and tomorrow’s demands in power grid modernization.
Until next time—stay tuned!
