Steel Dynamics Heartland Division (SDI Heartland) has partnered with ABB Electrification Service to upgrade its aging substation equipment. ABB will design, build, and install new switchgear doors, controls, and protection relays at SDI Heartland’s 18-breaker substation. The decision to replace outdated relays, which had become difficult to maintain, aims to ensure a reliable power supply and prevent costly downtime.
ABB’s Relion 615 series relays, selected for this upgrade, offer integrated protection, control, monitoring, and supervision. These advanced relays include arc flash protection with optical sensors for rapid tripping, enhancing safety. After a successful initial replacement of two old relays, SDI Heartland has decided to proceed with replacing the remaining 16 relays.
In addition to modernizing protection and control, the Relion 615 series relays provide communication capabilities, allowing SDI Heartland to monitor and manage their electrical distribution more effectively. The Heartland Division, which processes up to one mln tons of steel annually, is also expanding with a new galvanizing line and paint line. ABB’s modernization services are designed to reduce ownership costs, extend asset lifespan by 20-30 years, and improve overall performance and energy efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.
