What is remote monitoring and why is it mandatory?

Remote control enables grid operators to safely monitor and adjust industrial and decentralised energy systems, such as solar parks and large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), from a distance. With the rapid increase in renewable energy on the Belgian grid, this has become an indispensable tool for maintaining the balance of the electricity grid. Is there a risk of local congestion (overload) on the grid? In that case, the relevant grid operator can temporarily adjust the feed-in or draw-off from your installation via the remote control box to prevent power cuts.

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From what level of assets is remote monitoring mandatory? (Thresholds)

In Belgium, the technical requirements for grid connections are largely determined by the Synergrid C10/11 regulations. The exact thresholds at which remote monitoring becomes mandatory depend on your region, the type of installation and the local grid operator:

1. Fluvius (Flanders)

Fluvius applies strict rules to secure the Flemish electricity grid and is rolling out specific hardware (such as the TCK or remote control cabinet) for this purpose.

• Limits: A remote monitoring interface is mandatory as standard for larger, grid-connected installations. The threshold is set at local generation of 250 kW or more.

2. ORES (Wallonia)

ORES manages the electricity distribution network across most of Wallonia. As this network covers a vast geographical area, active monitoring of industrial electricity producers is crucial.

• Limits: ORES adheres to the general Synergrid standards for high-voltage connections. Industrial projects and decentralised generation units (typically from 100 kVA and certainly above 1 MVA) must be equipped with telemetry and remote control via robust, industrial communication protocols.

3. RESA (Wallonia – Province of Liège)

In the Liège region, RESA ensures grid stability in a network characterised by a mix of urban and heavy industrial consumers.

• Limitations: As with ORES, integration into the remote control system is a requirement for large-scale generation and storage facilities. Depending on the substation and the connection capacity, projects involving industrial power (high voltage) are required to allow for external control in order to protect the local Liège grid from overload.

‍Important: Additional service for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

When large-scale battery projects are commissioned, grid operators impose additional requirements to stabilise the electricity grid. A key requirement in this regard is the correct implementation and control of reactive power.

Didn’t you include this in the original design? No problem. We’ll still configure this for you in our controller, at no extra cost.

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Are you working on something exciting? Let’s have a chat!

Do you have a solar, wind or energy storage project that is approaching the remote control limits? Don’t risk rejection by the grid operator. Choose a validated, cost-effective EMS architecture. Contact us today.