2010-08-24 - Two large 350 MVA transformers will increase the power transmission and grid reliability in Chile
Due to increasing electrical power demand in Chile, in some areas the nation’s high-voltage transmission system operates at the limit of its performance capability.
Transelec S.A, the largest transmission system operator in Chile, asked ABB to help them remove a major bottleneck in their 220 kV Cerro Navia substation in the suburbs of the capital Santiago de Chile. In a bid to control the substation’s electrical power flow, Transelec has to limit the power flow bearing in mind that the 220 kV transmission lines are overloaded and that there is no available space for additional power lines in this region.
End of last year, ABB in Bad Honnef, Germany, received an order for two large 350 MVA, 230 kV phase shifting transformers (PST) for this project via COBRA, a Spanish EPC. “The PST is an excellent, reliable and economical solution for the customer’s needs.” says Andreas Roessig, sales manager for phase shifting transformers in Bad Honnef. “It removes the bottleneck in the grid without having a major impact on the environment, as new power lines would have. The PST will allow Transelec to increase the power transmission and at the same time improve the grid reliability.”
ABB supported the customer from the beginning and provided – amongst other things - cost estimates for the budget approval of the government. This project proves the effectiveness of “One ABB” approach involving the Spanish, Chilean and German organizations. ABB had to master several challenges, like finding the right project set up and transportation.
Meanwhile, most of the engineering is completed and ABB is on time with the project time schedule. Due to transportation limits, each transformer is split into two smaller tanks. Total weight of each transformer is about 338 tons. The transformers will be delivered end of 2011.