Sep 25 2007
American Superconductor Corporation, a leading energy technologies company, today introduced a Static VAR Compensator ("SVC") product line. AMSC also announced that it has received its first transmission-level SVC order from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), operator of 75 percent of the high voltage transmission grid in the Pacific Northwest. The SVC will provide a total of 95 mega-volt-amp-reactive
(MVAR) of dynamic reactive compensation for one of BPA's transmission lines in Oregon.
AMSC's SVC product line is based on its proprietary controls technology combined with proprietary thyristor switch technology it obtained through the acquisition of Power Quality Systems, Inc. (PQS) in April 2007. This thyristor switch technology enables AMSC to offer SVC systems that not only have a lower initial cost, but also lower energy and maintenance costs and a smaller footprint when compared with conventional SVC offerings. AMSC's transmission SVC solution builds on a solid installed base of over 60 similar thyristor-based systems that have been successfully deployed by PQS on distribution systems all over North America. AMSC, which has been selling its dynamic-VAR (D-VAR(R)) transmission grid reliability products since 1999, is North America's only manufacturer of SVC's for the growing transmission grid market.
"AMSC has built a solid reputation with power grid operators by providing advanced and reliable solutions that improve system efficiency, enhance power throughput and break grid bottlenecks in a cost-effective way," said AMSC founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Yurek. "Our SVC solution provides us with a powerful new transmission-level tool. Having just recently closed our acquisition of PQS, I am pleased with our ability to quickly integrate this company and its technology to produce a new transmission-level solution that meets the broader requirements of power grid operators."
SVC systems are required to ensure reliable operation of transmission grids. SVCs and D-VAR systems are "reactive compensation" solutions, classified as FACTs (Flexible AC Transmission system) devices. These solutions are utilized by utilities to dynamically control voltage, helping them maintain high reliability and prevent grid instabilities on their transmission and distribution networks. SVCs and D-VARs increase grid reliability and allow utilities to transfer a greater amount of power over their existing transmission lines.
SVCs are a large-scale, centralized, transmission-connected solution, while D-VAR systems are typically connected at the sub-transmission or distribution level. Both solutions are needed to address the broad requirements of the utility industry. AMSC estimates that the current annual addressable power grid market for reactive compensation solutions is at least $250 million worldwide. This market is expected to continue to grow considerably as global demand for electricity increases and as grid operators invest to improve the reliability of power grids.
The SVC system solution being provided to BPA will provide 45 MVAR of inductive capability and 50 MVAR of capacitive dynamic compensation to a critical location on the local 115kV transmission grid. Scheduled for commissioning in early 2009, AMSC's SVC solution will be installed at the Rogue Substation near Portland, Oregon to help control and stabilize voltage in the surrounding grid. AMSC will provide BPA with a full turnkey solution - from engineering to installation and commissioning.