The increasing demand for electricity, the phasing out of coal and to some extent nuclear power, and the necessary expansion of renewable energies pose major challenges to the energy system internationally and locally. Typically, the backbone of the energy supply system is the extra-high voltage grid, and in Bavaria, Germany, this enables the transport of renewable energies from north to south as well as the integration of regionally generated green electricity. The linchpins are transformer substations that link the transmission network – the highways, so to speak – with the subordinate distribution networks – that is, the rural and urban roads. Together with power lines, substations are a key factor in the success of the energy transition and, in this instance, in ensuring that Germany and Bavaria remain strong industrial locations with reasonable energy costs.
A new MSCDN plant has been installed at the Schwandorf substation, a key regional supply node in Germany.
The Schwandorf substation is the supply centre for the Upper Palatinate region and is currently being modernised during ongoing operations to make it fit for the energy transition. Leading European grid operator, TenneT, is investing a total of around €68 million in the Schwandorf substation, including €2.5 million in a new MSCDN system from Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen (MR) in Regensburg.
The main task of MSCDN plants is to provide static reactive power, which is used in stages for reactive-power control and voltage control. At the same time, the systems can improve the voltage quality and dampen resonances in the grid. The plants have other advantages too, such as low losses, economic efficiency and high availability.
This so-called reactive power must be available in a stable and uniform way, as was previously provided by fossil fuel power plants. With the phasing out of coal and nuclear power, the rotating generators are gradually becoming fewer and, due to the increasing feed-in of renewable energies, the voltage in the power grid is subject to ever-greater fluctuations that have to be absorbed by the transmission system operators.
in an ac voltage network, current can only flow with the right ratio of active to reactive power. It is needed to build up and dissipate a magnetic field 50 times per second and thus to maintain the voltage during current transmission. If there is too much reactive power in the network, less active power is transported; if there is too little reactive power, the voltage drops and power supply disturbances can occur. With the MSCDN system, TenneT can absorb the voltage fluctuations in the substation effectively and thus stabilise the operation of the transmission grid.
In early October 2022, Tim Meyerjürgens, Managing Director of TenneT Germany, and Wilfried Breuer, Managing Director of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, symbolically commissioned the new MSCDN plant. Tim Meyerjürgens said, "Every milestone reached and every partial commissioning helps us to achieve the ambitious climate policy goals of Bavaria, to integrate more renewables into the grid, to make supply security affordable and sustainable, and to achieve greater independence from fossil fuels and electricity imports by using renewables.
“In implementing the energy transition, we are also dependent on innovative developments and the production of highly complex technology components. TenneT can draw on years of experience and know-how from Bavarian companies, as we have done here at the Schwandorf substation. These developments support grid expansion and ensure that Bavarian industry is also benefitting from the energy transition."
MR Managing Director, Wilfried Breuer added: "As a medium-sized global market leader from the Upper Palatinate, we are particularly pleased to be able to contribute our many years of global experience in the control of electrical load flows to the energy transition near our home base of Regensburg. With our innovations and services, MR is also represented in SüdLink, SüdOstLink as well as other major projects in the German transmission grid. For 25 years, our team of specialists from Thuringia has been designing and constructing power quality plants such as this MSCDN worldwide and, together with our partner Omexom, has ensured reliable completion on schedule here in Schwandorf. Confirming its satisfaction with our plant technology and service are TenneT’s two follow-up orders, which will also advance the energy transition in Germany."
As Germany's largest transmission system operator, TenneT is aware of its responsibility and the important role it plays and is therefore investing some €60 billion in the energy transition to 2030.
This is focused on grid expansion and the renewal and optimisation of numerous substations.
For more information visit: www.reinhausen.com
