ABB, the wind industry’s power technology and grid interconnection solutions provider, announced several developments at AWEA WINDPOWER 2013 conference and exhibition. Technologies unveiled there include:
In 1983 a 150 kV, 130 MW dc cable was laid between Västervik and Ygne in Sweden. Converters were built up of thyristor valves, in the picture.
High voltage dc breakers for wind
ABB recently developed a powerful high-voltage direct current (HVDC) breaker that will significantly impact the use of wind-generated electricity. The HVDC breaker removes a 100-year-old technological barrier in the development of dc transmission grids.
Dc can carry three times more power over long distances with up to 50% less power loss than alternating current. In the past, it was not widely used due to an inability to safely stop the current or identify errors across a power grid. Recent HVDC technology facilitates the long distance transfer of off-shore wind energy into electricity networks in a safe, cost-efficient and power-saving manner.
The hybrid HVDC breaker development has been a flagship research project for ABB, which invests over $1 billion annually in R&D activities. The first uses are expected to be with integration of electric transmission from large-scale renewable power projects planned in Europe.
Ring main unit switchgear
The company demonstrated new ring main unit (RMU) medium-voltage switchgear specifically for wind turbines, enabling functions such as grounding, switching, disconnecting, cable connections and protection to be integrated with compact, cost-effective and maintenance-free functional units.
Small wind market solutions
The U.S. and Canada are leading the world in production of small wind turbines, defined by IEC 61400-2 as having a rotor swept area of less than 200 m2, giving a small wind turbine power of 100 kW or less. ABB, with components in more than 40,000 wind turbines worldwide, is sharing its expertise in small wind designs and grid interconnections, including efficient and safe solutions for a complete electrical drivetrain.
ABB low voltage drives
The company will be offering a full line of wind turbine converter equipment covering the complete wind market, including small, community and utility-
The ABB general purpose drive ACS310 is dedicated to variable torque applications such as booster pumps and centrifugal fans.
scale wind farms. These drive features include HW and SW functions for fault ride-through and grid code compliance. ABB also is providing new grid integration, with PC simulation models for utility compliance studies. The company offers test facilities to validate compliance.
Forecasting the wind
Ventyx, an ABB company, demonstrated its Ventyx Energy Portfolio Management (EPM), which focus on the siting, curtailment, and uncertainty of forecasting and valuation of wind generators.
“Over the years, natural gas has presented the wind industry with pricing competition, but it is not an infinite source and experiences significant cost fluctuations,” said ABB’s Dennis McKinley. “Wind energy will continue as a plentiful source, and ABB’s HVDC breaker represents a huge stride in harnessing the potential of wind energy as a viable power supply and improving the future grid.”
ABB
http://www.abb.com/hvdcgrid
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