NORTHERN EUROPE
HVDC Light will connect Finland and Estonia
A major power transmission link using ABB’s HVDC Light technology is to be built between Finland and Estonia. Known as Estlink, the $110 million project is supported by the European Commission and is to be the first interconnection between the electricity markets of the Baltic and Nordic states. Three-quarters of the 100km link will be under water. The project will take 20 months and be delivered by the end of 2006.
BRAZIL
Meeting the growing demand for power
The Brazilian utility, Electrosul Centrais Eléctricas, has ordered a range of high voltage equipment including seven transformers, eight 550V circuit breakers and 14 242kV current transformers worth $22 million from ABB. The equipment will be used to increase the capacity of an existing substation and to create a new one in the state of Rio Grande de Sol.
NORTH AMERICA
Alaska energy storage system makes Guinness Book of Records
A massive multi-cell battery system developed by ABB and leading battery maker, Saft has been officially recognised as the world’s most powerful battery by the Guinness Book of World Records. Known as BESS (battery energy storage system), it covers an area bigger than a football pitch and comprises 13,760 nickel cadmium energy cells in four strings. BESS provides emergency power for the area around Fairbanks, Alaska. It can deliver 27MW of power ' enough to power 10,000 households for 15 minutes, and even more for shorter periods.
QATAR
Turnkey substation contract
Kahramaa, the state-owned utility in the Gulf state of Qatar, has awarded ABB a $22 million contract to commission three turnkey substations and equipment positioned along a 132km transmission line across the country. ABB will construct, assemble and commission gas-insulated switchgear, transformers, telecoms, protection and DCS equipment.
ALGERIA
Substation upgrade project will increase power to capital city
A $25 million contract to upgrade eight existing substations in the region around Algiers, has been won by ABB. A key challenge is to manage the upgrade with the minimum of power disruption and in just 15 months. This is the latest in a series of contracts awarded to ABB by GRTE (Gestionnaire du Reseau Transport Électricité), formerly known as Sonelgaz.