MINNETONKA, MN and KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan 30, 2026 – Siemens and 1898 & Co. announced an agreement to automate protection coordination for the power grid. 1898 & Co. will resell and implement Siemens’ Gridscale X advanced protection assessment software, replacing static spreadsheets with dynamic digital twins for consistent protection studies.
The approach helps power utilities meet protection and control regulations, study requirements by automating time-intensive calculations. It frees engineering teams to focus on higher-value work, reducing the risk of cascading outages.
“The path to autonomous grids requires us to digitize the most critical layer of our infrastructure: protection,” said Marcus McCarthy, president, grid software Americas at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.
The Crisis: Complexity vs. Capacity
Growth in inverter-based resources is pushing the US power grid toward a “protection cliff.” Many traditional protection schemes were not built to handle bidirectional power flows, while compliance with requirements such as NERC PRC-027-1 calls for intensive coordination studies. Utilities such as municipal systems and electric cooperatives, lack the manpower to carry out the work manually, leaving a gap in grid protection.
“Our clients, especially in the public power sector, are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of a retiring workforce and increasing regulatory scrutiny,” said Chris Underwood, vice president and general manager, 1898 & Co. “They don’t just need software; they need an effective solution that provides a roadmap to compliance. This agreement allows us to hand our clients a solution that is automated, repeatable, and scalable – tailored specifically to the constraints of the modern utility.”
As experienced engineers retire, the alliance links automated analysis with operational execution. Siemens’ Gridscale X advanced protection assessment validates relay settings and simulates faults to uncover protection issues. 1898 & Co. then puts those insights to work by interpreting the data, correcting settings, and guiding utilities through compliance audits.
“We cannot manage a dynamic grid with static tools,” added Siemens’ McCarthy. “By combining our Gridscale X Advanced Protection Assessment engine with 1898 & Co.’s engineering pedigree, we are giving US utilities the speed and precision needed to ensure the lights stay on.”
Source: Siemens
About Siemens
Siemens Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, operates across industry, infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare sectors. Founded in 1847, Siemens AG has more than 175 years of history and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its U.S. operations are based in Washington, D.C. In fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, the Siemens Group USA reported revenue of $21.2B. The company maintains 24 manufacturing sites in the United States and employs over 45,000 people, serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Siemens focuses on integrating digital and physical technologies to support customer needs in efficiency, urban development, and sustainable transportation. The company applies industrial AI – including generative AI – to use cases across sectors.
About Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Siemens Smart Infrastructure, a division of Siemens AG, is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. The division integrates energy systems, buildings and industrial processes to improve efficiency and support modern infrastructure needs. It provides HVAC controls, fire safety systems, security technologies, energy-performance services, grid-resilience tools and electric-vehicle charging equipment. Its offerings serve sectors such as data centers, energy and manufacturing. The division develops systems that span the energy value chain, from power generation to end use, and focuses on addressing challenges related to urbanization and climate change. It also places emphasis on cybersecurity to support secure and reliable operation in increasingly digital environments. Siemens Smart Infrastructure employed about 79,000 people worldwide as of 2025.
About 1898 & Co.
1898 & Co. is a business, technology, and security consulting firm serving critical infrastructure sectors. Founded in 2019, it operates as the consulting arm of Burns & McDonnell. The firm provides advisory and implementation services covering business strategy, digital systems, regulatory support, asset planning, and cybersecurity. Its customers include electric utilities, energy companies, transportation operators, public agencies, cooperatives, and infrastructure investors. 1898 & Co. supports planning, modernization, and operational improvement for complex infrastructure, including power grids and industrial systems. The company also advises on compliance, risk management, and technology adoption tied to operational environments. 1898 & Co. is headquartered in Kansas City, MO.