Hitachi Energy recently won an order from SP Energy Networks to design and deliver a first-of-its-kind power quality solution to balance the grid and boost the flow of renewable energy across the UK. SP Energy Networks is the electricity network operator for Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North and Mid-Wales and North Shropshire, and the solution will enable it to add more renewables into the grid and facilitate the phase-out of fossil fuels.
This innovative combination of two technologies was trialled successfully in the Phoenix pilot project.
The project, located at SP Energy Networks’ substation at Eccles, consists of two sets of an SVC Light® STATCOM and a synchronous condenser controlled centrally by the MACH™ control system, connected at a common electrical node. This unique combination of technologies will maximise the future power system’s potential and provide greater system resilience, thus supporting the increasing integration of renewables into the electricity grid.
Each STATCOM installation – a static synchronous compensator that continuously provides variable reactive power in response to voltage variations, supporting the stability of the grid – uses Hitachi Energy’s advanced power electronics and technology-leading MACH control and protection solution to provide system strength, instantaneous voltage control and enable maximum power flow. The MACH Control System acts as the intelligent control centre of SVC Light, using state-of-the-art computers, microcontrollers and digital signal processors. This technology, which entrusts a STATCOM to control a local synchronous condenser, is market leading. It builds on an earlier collaboration between SP Energy Networks and Hitachi Energy on the network innovation competition project Phoenix, which was supported by Ofgem, the energy regulator for the UK.
Billy Moore, Senior Project Manager at SP Energy Networks said, “This innovative power quality solution will increase the transfer capacity across the UK by up to 280 MW by improving the transmission network’s strength as more renewable generation is connected in Scotland. Technology like this will become increasingly important as we reduce the usage of fossil fuels.”
“We are delighted to have created this innovative solution in collaboration with SP Energy Networks, which will maintain grid stability and enable more clean electricity to flow through the system in the UK,” said Marco Berardi, Head of Grid & Power Quality Solutions and Service business at Hitachi Energy. “This pioneering innovation is another addition to our evolving portfolio of power quality solutions that help grid operators overcome the immediate and long-term challenges of the energy transition.”
With the integration of more renewable energy into the grid and the move away from conventional power plants, transmission system operators face several challenges. In this project, the SVC Light STATCOM and synchronous condenser with combined control generates or absorbs reactive power to adjust the grid voltage and maintain system resilience.
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