Wed, 11/02/2016 - 07:35

ZURICH, Switzerland (Nov. 2, 2016)—ABB has won an order of more than $40 million to provide advanced power equipment to the 800-kilovolt (kV) Dianxibei-Guangdong ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission link, according to a statement from ABB. The project, operated by China Southern Power Grid Company Limited, one of the country’s two major grid operators, is expected to transmit 5,000 megawatts (MW) of power over a distance of more than 1,950 kilometers (about 1,211 miles). The order was booked in the third quarter of 2016. The link will transmit clean hydro-power from Yunnan province in southwestern China to the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong, one of the most densely urbanized regions in the world and a major economic and manufacturing hub of China, according to the statement. The link has the capacity to meet the annual power consumption needs of more than 10 million people based on average per capita national consumption. It will also help the region to significantly reduce coal consumption and mitigate carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions. “We are pleased that our advanced power technologies will enable the longest UHVDC link in southern China to deliver clean power to millions and lower environmental impact,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Grids division. “Ultra-high-voltage technologies are a key element of our Next Level strategy and will help expansive countries like China to reliably and efficiently transport increasing amounts of clean, renewable power over greater distances.” ABB technologies will be deployed at the Xinsong converter station in Yunnan and the Dongfang station in Guangdong. The Xinsong converter station is located at a high altitude of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet), and the valves have been specially designed to meet the demanding electrical and mechanical needs of the harsh environment. ABB will also supply dead-tank breakers, live-tank breakers and Direct Current (DC) capacitors, as well as equipment for converter valve towers and halls. UHVDC transmission is an advancement of HVDC, a technology pioneered by ABB more than 60 years ago, and represents the biggest capacity and efficiency leap in over two decades, according to the company. ABB is contributing to a number of UHVDC links across China and in keeping with its pioneering heritage, has successfully developed and tested technology for the highest DC voltage levels in the world.