For EU energy infrastructure players—whether you’re deploying BESS, solar farms, smart substations, or grid-responsive industrial sites—Serbian engineering firms offer a proven, nearshore solution to handle technical workloads with precision, speed, and affordability.
From relay logic and SCADA systems, to grid impact simulations and protection studies, Serbia is not just a cost-saving option — it’s a strategic engineering ally.
As the European energy market shifts toward decentralized generation, utility-scale renewables, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and smart grids, the engineering workload around grid connection, SCADA integration, and automation logic has exploded.
Yet many EU-based engineering teams face the same problems:
- Overstretched technical staff
- Skyrocketing domestic labor costs
- Delays in grid study approvals due to bottlenecks in design
This is where Serbian engineering firms present a nearshore advantage: offering a cost-efficient, technically competent, and EU-aligned outsourcing solution for the design and programming of grid connection studies, relay protection schemes, and SCADA/PLC automation.
Why Serbia? Engineering strength in a changing energy landscape
Serbia has deep roots in electrical power systems engineering, built from its legacy of utility grid operations, industrial electrification, and infrastructure development. Over the last decade, the country has developed a strong ecosystem of engineering firms offering:
- Power system studies (load flow, fault, harmonic, voltage control)
- Relay and protection programming (based on IEC, EN, IEEE standards)
- PLC and SCADA system design (automation, monitoring, control)
- Hybrid system integration (solar, wind, BESS + gensets + grid)
These services are increasingly in demand by EU project developers, EPC contractors, and battery or renewables OEMs who need support in designing compliant, robust, and integrated systems—but want to avoid the high cost and time-to-hire issues in core EU countries.
Tasks That Can Be Outsourced to Serbia — With High Confidence
1. Grid connection studies & grid compliance documentation
Serbian engineers can deliver full technical packages required for grid interconnection:
- Load flow and voltage drop analysis
- Short-circuit current calculations
- Harmonic and transient stability studies
- Fault ride-through (FRT) and dynamic performance simulations
- Reactive power compliance (Q-U profiles, P-Q curves)
- Grid impact studies (especially for renewables & storage)
Software used:
DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD, PSS®E, MATLAB/Simulink
Output-ready for EU TSO/DSO submission, provided developers clarify the applicable country grid codes (e.g., Germany’s VDE-AR-N 4110/4120, Italy’s CEI 0-21/CEI 0-16, etc.).
2. Relay protection settings & programming
Serbian electrical engineers routinely handle:
- Protection logic for overcurrent, differential, distance, reverse power, etc.
- Relay setting calculations & selectivity studies
- Relay coordination (main vs backup)
- Digital relay programming (Siemens, ABB, SEL, Schneider)
- Integration with SCADA/alarm systems
- Generation interlock and anti-islanding functions for renewables
Protocols handled: IEC 61850, Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, PROFIBUS, IEC 60870-5-104
Particularly useful for PV and BESS connection to medium or high voltage networks requiring protection logic tailored to utility grid behavior.
3. SCADA architecture & PLC logic programming
Serbian automation engineers have growing experience designing and delivering:
- SCADA control system architecture
- RTU/PLC integration with transformers, switchgear, I/O, inverters, BESS
- PLC programming (ladder logic, structured text, function blocks)
- HMI design for local control panels
- Event/alarm logic, historical data logging
- Cybersecurity measures for control systems
- Remote access via VPN/cloud
Platforms commonly used:
Siemens TIA Portal, Schneider EcoStruxure, ABB 800xA, Codesys, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware
Ideal for remote substations, EV charging hubs, hybrid microgrids, and renewables with utility integration.
4. System integration and I/O mapping
Complete documentation and integration work, including:
- I/O schedules and signal lists
- Cable routing diagrams
- Terminal block schematics
- Wiring diagrams and panel layout
- Fiber/Ethernet network diagrams
- FAT/SAT protocols (Factory & Site Acceptance Tests)
These are document-heavy, logic-driven tasks that Serbian engineers can perform cost-effectively with tools like EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, and MS Visio.
Cost-effective, nearshore alternative to EU-based firms
Serbia offers a compelling combination of:
| Feature | Benefit to EU developer |
|---|---|
| EU-adjacent timezone (CET) | Enables real-time collaboration |
| Strong technical education | Engineers with M.Sc. and Ph.D. in power systems, automation, mechatronics |
| Multilingual teams | English is standard; some firms support German, French, Italian |
| Lower engineering costs | Up to 40–60% savings vs Western Europe |
| Standards alignment | Familiar with IEC, EN, IEEE, and national grid codes (VDE, CEI, GSE, ENTSO-E) |
| Track record | Completed grid studies and SCADA/relay designs for both Serbian and EU-connected projects |
Typical project types that benefit
| Project type | Serbian Engineers can deliver |
|---|---|
| 10–50 MW PV + Battery Hybrid | Grid studies, protection settings, SCADA logic, RTU config |
| Industrial BESS (e.g., for demand shaving or UPS) | Relay programming, PLC safety logic, grid compliance |
| Remote microgrids or substations | Full SCADA + remote monitoring + fault protection |
| EV Charging Stations (LV/MV interface) | Load analysis, transformer design, automation logic |
| Utility-scale connection upgrades | Load flow and short-circuit studies, relay coordination |
What needs to be handled locally
While much can be done remotely, some elements should remain under EU-side control or collaboration:
- Final submission of studies to the TSO/DSO typically requires a local licensed engineer’s sign-off
- On-site commissioning and live equipment testing should be performed or supervised locally
- Grid-specific regulations (e.g., French RTE vs. German VDE-AR) need to be clarified early to avoid design rework
- Cybersecurity auditing for SCADA often involves EU-norm penetration testing and must comply with NIS2 or ISO 27001
Best practices for collaboration
To get the most out of outsourcing SCADA, relay, and grid connection work to Serbia:
- Define Grid Code Requirements: Share national standards or DSO checklists early
- Specify Hardware Platforms: Especially for relays, PLCs, and SCADA software
- Set Clear Documentation Expectations: Including formats, revision control, language
- Establish Design Milestones: For example, 30% → 60% → 90% → IFC
- Use Cloud Collaboration: Tools like SharePoint, Asana, or Git-based systems help remote teams track versioning
- Provide Site Data Early: Especially single-line diagrams, short-circuit levels, inverter/transformer datasheets
Strategic nearshoring that works
For EU energy infrastructure players—whether you’re deploying BESS, solar farms, smart substations, or grid-responsive industrial sites—Serbian engineering firms offer a proven, nearshore solution to handle technical workloads with precision, speed, and affordability.
From relay logic and SCADA systems, to grid impact simulations and protection studies, Serbia is not just a cost-saving option — it’s a strategic engineering ally.
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