- UK’s Angle-DC Project Aims to Strengthen the Transfer of Increasing Renewable Power between Anglesey and Mainland North Wales
- GE will Provide AC-to-DC Converters for the MVDC Link
- MVDC Offers Additional Benefits to Traditional Reinforcement, such as; Control of the Power Flow Direction and Reactive Power, Voltage Support and Minimizing Network Losses
PARIS-May 16, 2017-GE Energy Connections will deliver Europe’s first Medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) link as part of Scottish Power Energy Network’s Angle-DC project in Anglesey and North Wales. The technology will be a critical asset of the project. The Angle-DC project aims to demonstrate a novel network reinforcement technique by converting an existing 33-kilovolt (kV) AC circuit to DC operation.
As the electricity demands in the region increase, uncontrolled power flows are putting the system at risk by exceeding thermal limits of the cables and overhead lines. The MVDC link will enable improved power flow and voltage control. Converting AC assets to DC operation will also enhance the thermal capability of the circuit.
Kevin Smith, Future Networks Lead Engineer at Scottish Power Energy Networks, said, “As electricity demand and the connection of renewable generation continues to grow, the existing network infrastructure struggles to cope and additional reinforcement becomes necessary. The Angle-DC project, being the first of its kind, will hopefully demonstrate that using MVDC on existing assets can be a more innovative alternative to simply building more substations along with the connecting underground cables and overhead lines. We are pleased to have engaged with GE who are playing a key part in the successful delivery of this important MVDC trial project”.
GE’s Power Conversion AC-to-DC converters will be located at a 33-kV substation in Bangor and at a similar substation on the Isle of Anglesey. The 12 units of MV7000 converters at each substation will convert 33 kVAC to ±27kVDC using the existing AC lines between the two substations.
GE will also be including VISOR 2.0*, an asset management tool that provides remote connectivity to improve service responsiveness, and Data Historian, a data management software that allows data collection, processing and storage, as part of the installation. This ability to capture and analyze data will allow SP Energy Networks to review the capabilities of the MVDC system and gather insights to develop optimum control algorithms for the distribution system.
“GE has extensive experience in energy transmission technology and proven track records including electrifying the central European railways. We are excited to be involved, applying our technology know-how based on our previous experience, at a time when many countries are considering how to future proof their existing infrastructure without significant upheaval,” Said Matt Cunningham, sales director, GE’s Power Conversion.
Sascha Heinecke, industry segment leader, GE’s Power Conversion, commented, “The project is first of its kinds in the UK and Europe. This is a significant step forward in the power transmission and distribution segment. With the deployment of digital tools such as Visor and Historian, the success of this project could impact how grids across the world are future-proofed.”
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. To learn more, please visit www.ge.com
About GE Energy Connections
GE Energy Connections designs and deploys industry-leading technologies that turn the world on. We transport, convert, automate and optimize energy to ensure we provide safe, efficient and reliable electrical power. Uniting all the resources and scale of the world’s first digital industrial company, we connect brilliant machines, grids, and systems to power utility, oil & gas, marine, mining and renewables customers, that keep our world running. For more information, please visit www.geenergyconnections.com.
About GE’s Power Conversion
GE’s Power Conversion business, a business unit of GE Energy Connections, applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electrification of the world’s energy infrastructure by designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. Serving specialized sectors such as energy, marine, oil and gas, renewables and industry, through customized solutions and advanced technologies, GE Power Conversion partners with customers to maximize efficiency. For more information, please visit www.gepowerconversion.com.
* Trademark of General Electric Company; may be registered in one or more countries.
Andy Jin
GE’s Power Conversion, Communications
[email protected]
+33 (0)1 8532 2394
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