Belgium’s Transmission Breakthrough Is Going Global

Electricity networks around the world are under growing pressure. Rapid growth in renewable generation, accelerating electrification of transport and industry, and the surge in power hungry digital infrastructure are all placing new demands on grid infrastructure that was never designed for this level of complexity. While many system operators are responding with major capital investment, Belgium offers a compelling example of how smarter use of existing assets can unlock significant capacity more quickly.

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More than two decades ago, Belgium’s national transmission system operator Elia took a pioneering step by becoming the first to deploy Dynamic Line Rating technology developed by Ampacimon. What began as an innovative response to local network constraints has since evolved into a global reference case for how real time data can transform grid operations.

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A changing generation and demand landscape

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Belgium’s electricity system reflects challenges now familiar to many countries. Renewable generation continues to rise sharply, often located far from demand centres. In 2025 alone, solar generation increased by 21 percent, while installed onshore wind capacity grew by 13 percent to reach 3.6 GW.

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At the same time, demand patterns are shifting rapidly. The electrification of transport and industry, combined with the rapid expansion of data centres, is driving new load profiles and increasing system complexity. These changes are placing growing strain on transmission and distribution networks just as connection requests and cross border flows accelerate.

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While grid expansion remains essential, it is not always the fastest or most efficient way to respond. Capital budgets are under pressure and long permitting timelines mean new infrastructure cannot always keep pace with demand.

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Moving beyond static assumptions

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Traditionally, transmission capacity has been determined using conservative assumptions based on seasonal averages or ambient conditions. These approaches prioritizes safety but often leave significant capacity unused. Even more advanced ambient adjusted ratings struggle to represent real conditions along a line, particularly when it comes to wind, which plays a crucial role in cooling conductors.

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Dynamic Line Rating represents a fundamental shift. Rather than relying on assumptions, DLR uses real time measurements of actual conductor behaviour to determine available margins while maintaining safety and reliability. Ampacimon’s patented sensor technology analyses conductor vibration to derive accurate insights into temperature and cooling effects, including localised wind conditions that are difficult to model.

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These measurements are combined with advanced forecasting and probabilistic machine learning techniques to provide both current ratings and forward looking capacity predictions. In practice, this approach can unlock up to 40 percent more transmission capacity compared with static line rating methods, without building new lines.

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Proving the concept at scale

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Elia began working with Ampacimon in 2008 to address anticipated congestion caused by static ratings. Early deployments demonstrated clear operational benefits, leading to wider rollout across the Belgian network. By the winter of 2014 to 2015, Dynamic Line Rating had been installed on eight critical overhead interconnectors with France and the Netherlands.

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These interconnectors now receive updated dynamic ratings every five minutes via Elia’s SCADA system, alongside capacity forecasts up to 60 hours ahead. The result has been a 30 to 40 percent increase in power flows on key cross border lines, improving security of supply and reducing the risk of load shedding.

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DLR has also been deployed to support renewable integration, particularly wind generation. Stronger winds not only increase output but also enhance conductor cooling, making real time ratings especially effective in relieving bottlenecks and reducing curtailment.

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Recognition at national level

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The impact of Belgium’s early adoption of Dynamic Line Rating has not gone unnoticed. Belgium’s Minister of Energy, Mathieu Bihet is set to visit Ampacimon’s headquarters in January, highlighting the growing role that grid enhancing technologies play in addressing congestion, accelerating renewable integration and strengthening security of supply.

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The visit reflects how innovation developed within Belgium’s power system is increasingly shaping thinking at both national and international levels. What was once a technical solution to a local challenge has become a strategic tool for managing the energy transition.

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From Belgium to the world

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Following its success in Belgium, deployment of Ampacimon’s Dynamic Line Rating technology quickly expanded beyond its birthplace. Today it is in use across Europe, North America and Asia, helping system operators extract more value from existing infrastructure while supporting increasingly complex power systems.

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Belgium’s experience offers a broader lesson. Cross border energy flows continue to rise, connection queues are lengthening and demand growth is increasingly driven by electrification and digital infrastructure. While investment in new infrastructure remains vital, Dynamic Line Rating demonstrates that working smarter with existing assets can deliver immediate and measurable benefits.

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What began as a Belgian breakthrough now belongs to the world. By choosing to measure rather than assume, grid operators can unlock capacity, reduce congestion and build more resilient networks for the future.