HVDC Light system for major power transmission link in
eastern Canada to facilitate
integration of renewable energy and stabilization of electrical
grid
MONTREAL, July 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - ABB, the leading
power and automation technology group, has won an order worth
approximately $400 million from NSP
Maritime Link Inc., a subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA), to
supply a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission
solution creating the first electricity link between the island of
Newfoundland and the North
American power grid. The order was booked in the second quarter of
2014.
The Maritime Link Project is a 500 MW high voltage direct
current (HVDC) connection that will enable clean, renewable
electricity generated in Newfoundland and Labrador to be transmitted to the North
American grid in Nova Scotia. The
stabilizing features of ABB's latest HVDC Light solution will also
allow Nova Scotia to integrate
additional renewables and contribute to Canada's emission-reduction efforts.
"ABB pioneered HVDC and is a global leader in this key
transmission technology which is being increasingly deployed across
a range of applications" said ABB Chief Executive Officer
Ulrich Spiesshofer. "Our innovative
solution for this project will help integrate clean renewable
energy, facilitate the efficient transmission of electricity,
improve grid stability and enable power sharing."
"We are glad to provide Emera with an optimized solution
responding to our customer's needs and that represents the
best-in-class technology. This is an important new chapter in the
power transmission industry for Canada and North
America and we are committed to continue to provide
excellence in this field, Anders
Hultberg, Senior Vice President, Power Systems for ABB in
Canada."
The Maritime Link will deploy ABB's HVDC Light Voltage Source
Conversion (VSC) technology incorporating a full VSC bipolar
configuration to further enhance system availability.
In addition to the two converter stations for the ±200 kilovolt
(kV) HVDC link, the project scope also includes two 230 kV
alternating current (AC) substations in Newfoundland, one 345 kV AC substation in
Nova Scotia and two cable
transition stations. The project is scheduled for commissioning in
2017. ABB's HVDC Light solution leads the way in VSC technology and
the company has delivered 13 of the 14 commissioned VSC links in
the world. HVDC Light continues to be a preferred solution for
long-distance underground and underwater power links and
interconnections like the Maritime Link Project.
This technology is increasingly being deployed across a range of
applications. These include integration of renewable energies from
land-based and offshore wind farms, mainland power supply to
islands and offshore oil and gas platforms, city center in-feeds
where space is a major constraint and cross-border interconnections
that often connect across the seas. Its ability to meet grid code
compliance ensures robust network connections regardless of
application.
ABB pioneered HVDC technology 60 years ago and has been awarded
approximately 90 HVDC projects representing a total installed
capacity of more than 95,000 MW, accounting for about half of the
global installed base.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation
technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve
performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of
companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about
150,000 people.
ABB in Canada employs 5,000
employees from coast to coast who are experts in their field of
technology and contribute to ABB's industry leadership in key
energy and industrial sectors across the country. Our company has
been serving our Canadian customers for nearly a century with
reliable energy efficient solutions for utilities,
industry, buildings, infrastructure and transportation.
SOURCE ABB inc.