ABB Wins $130M Order To Upgrade HVDC Power Transmission Link In Minnesota, North Dakota

ABB wins $130M order to upgrade HVDC power transmission link in the US Converter station life extension will enhance grid reliability and facilitate efficient power transmission.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has received an order worth around $130M from electric cooperative Great River Energy to upgrade an existing HVDC (high-voltage direct current) connection in the US. The ± 400 kilovolt HVDC transmission system provides a vital link for transferring 1,000-megawatts of electricity between Underwood, North Dakota and Buffalo, Minnesota, a distance of 700 kilometers. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2015.

As part of the project scope, ABB will undertake the upgrade and life extension of the converter valves, valve cooling systems, control and protection systems, and other related equipment at the converter stations. In addition to modernizing the HVDC system, the upgrade will also help improve grid reliability and efficiency. ABB has successfully carried out similar HVDC upgrades across the U.S. in recent years.

The current HVDC system was originally commissioned by ABB in 1978 and has provided over 99 percent availability during its operational lifetime. In 2002, ABB upgraded the control system to its advanced technology, fully digital MACH system.

“The upgrade will extend life and greatly enhance reliability of this important transmission link, thereby helping to secure power supply for consumers in the region” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids division. “The focus on service and lifetime support is a key element of ABB’s Next Level strategy.”

“Maintaining Great River Energy’s high reliability standards for this vital system is not only critical for delivering power in the short term, but also because it will continue to provide a corridor for delivering energy from North Dakota in the future,” said Greg Schutte, Great River Energy’s Project Leader.

ABB pioneered HVDC technology more than 60 years ago and has been awarded over 110 HVDC projects, representing a total installed capacity of more than 120,000 megawatts and accounting for around half the global installed base. ABB remains at the forefront of HVDC innovation and is uniquely positioned in the power sector with in-house manufacturing capability for all key components of HVDC systems.

Great River Energy  is a leading power generation and transmission  cooperative  in the U.S. state  of Minnesota. It is the state's second largest electric utility, based on generating capacity, and the fifth largest generation and transmission cooperative in the U.S. in terms of assets. It distributes electricity to approximately 660,000 homes, businesses and farms. 

About ABB
ABB is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people. For more information, visit www.abb.com.