Series compensation improves power transfer to Northeast region
Zurich, Switzerland, May 25, 2005 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a contract worth more than $15 million to install Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) in Brazil to increase the capacity of the existing power link.
The contract was awarded by ABENGOA, the Spanish contractor who won the concession for the Colinas-Sobradinho 500 kV transmission system. Series compensation technology will improve the load flow in Brazil's national grid and increase transfer capacity to the North Eastern part of Brazil.
"We see a growing demand for FACTS, which utilizes advanced power electronics to boost grid capacity and increase power quality," says Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division. "There is an urgent need to improve network reliability in this part of Brazil to meet increasing demand and to prevent power outages."
The contract embraces three series compensation banks. Two installations will be located at Ribeiro Gonçalves and one at S. João do Piaui 500 kV substations. The contract is scheduled for completion by end of May 2006.
ABB is the recognized technology and market leader in the growing field of FACTS, and holds a global market share of about 50 percent.
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 102,000 people.