2022
Germany
Elia Group – Elia Transmission Belgium (ETB, Belgium) and 50Hertz Transmission (Germany) – is enhancing the resilience of its electricity infrastructure against multiple climate hazards, including storms, strong winds, flooding, and heatwaves.
Measures include reinforcing transmission towers and protecting substations from flooding, improving cooling and heating systems in substations, and using durable materials to ensure long asset lifespans. These actions strengthen the reliability and safety of the grid under changing climate conditions.
Highlights
01
50Hertz Reinforced 1,700 towers across its network, with no failures during a major storm in 2022.
02
ETB enhanced substations with water pumps, water monitoring devices, and elevated components, with some substations relocated.
03
New lines were upgraded with HTLS conductors and stronger towers to withstand extreme winds.
04
ETB collaborates with GERICS/Hereon, RMI Belgium, and national meteorological institutes for precise climate data.
Main Information
Elia Group’s – Elia Transmission Belgium (ETB) and 50Hertz Transmission (Germany) – adaptation measures target multiple hazards such as wind, flooding, heat, and storms across its Belgian and German grids. Elia’s integrated approach combines engineering, planning, and risk management, ensuring that its networks remain robust and reliable in the face of increasing climate hazards.
At 50Hertz, a large-scale tower-reinforcement program was launched to address weaknesses in older assets’ materials and designs. Approximately 1,700 towers have been strengthened through an efficient and cost-effective method validated by full-scale tests. The effectiveness of these reinforcements was confirmed during the February 2022 storm, where no reinforced towers failed.
In Belgium, ETB focuses on mitigating flooding risks in substations. Using flood maps and risk analyses, locations vulnerable to rising water levels (up to 50 cm and beyond) were identified, leading to the installation of water pumps, water-level monitors, and elevated certain electrical components. In rare cases, substations were relocated to a higher ground. Measures include tower reinforcements, foundation upgrades, and weather-resistant coatings as well.
For its assessments, risk analyses consider EURO-CORDEX data and insights from national meteorological services.
