Alstom Wins Major Orders For Power Transmission Projects In Brazil

Alstom Static Var Compensators (SVC) system installed earlier in New Zealand

Alstom Grid’s Tampere based Power Electronics Systems unit has been awarded two major orders to provide systems for power transmission projects in Brazil. Alstom will improve power transmission efficiency at the Taua II and Bom Despacho III substations by supplying Static Var Compensators (SVC) and their connections. The total value of the contracts is around €24M (US$32M). The commercial operation is scheduled for May 2014. Alstom’s flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) help improve power quality and balance energy flow on the grid.

The projects will be implemented by the Power Electronics Systems units located in Tampere, Finland and in São Paulo, Brazil. Alstom Grid’s Power Electronics Systems unit in Tampere is responsible for engineering and manufacturing of the main components. The Power Electronics Systems unit in Tampere is growing and recruiting more employees.

The first order is for Chesf, one of the most important transmission utilities in Brazil, to extend the Tauá II substation in North-Eastern Brazil. The contract includes a Static Var Compensator (SVC) and its respective 230 kV connection bay on a turnkey basis.  The project is part of Brazil’s EPE (Energy Research Company) improvement plan aimed at reinforcing electricity transmission across the country. Alstom’s Static Var Compensator (SVC), which has a power rating of -45/+90 MVAr ratings at a nominal voltage of 230 kV, will improve power quality and balance energy flow on the grid.

The second order is for the Energy Company of Minas Gerais (Cemig) to provide systems to enhance power transmission in the Bom Despacho III substation, located in Minas Gerais in Brazil. Alstom will supply a Static Var Compensator (SVC) with a power rating of -200/300 MVAr, as well as network connection equipment with nominal voltage of 500 kV. The Bom Despacho project will be among the largest Static Var Compensators that has been installed in Brazil.

Jouni Mälkönen, the Managing Director for Alstom Grid’s Power Electronics Systems Unit in Tampere, said: “These orders reinforce Alstom Grid’s leadership as solution provider for improving power transmission. Our unit in Tampere has an important role in developing this technology. These systems provide the customer a flexible solution to improve power transmission with minimal infrastructure investment and low environmental impact. The implementation schedule on both projects is extremely challenging as both systems need to be energized before 2014 FIFA World Cup.”

While improving operating costs, SVCs also balance the energy flow and manage the power oscillation damping and the supply of reactive power (capacitive or inductive) as required by the grid. Alstom’s SVCs are known for their high level of reliability and availability.