ABB is to upgrade vital components of an ultra-high voltage transmission system that transports hydropower from North to South Quebec as part of a $60M contract awarded by Hydro-Québec.
Under the terms of the deal, ABB will upgrade two Static Var Compensators (SVC) at a substation that provides fast-acting reactive power compensation for the 735kV electricity network. The work is expected to be completed by 2016.
"This upgrade will significantly extend the life of the SVCs and substantially reduce electrical losses" said Claudio Facchin, head of ABB's Power Systems division. "ABB is a global leader when it comes to FACTS solutions with an extensive global installed base and we are delighted to work with Hydro-Québec on this project."
The SVCs are part of ABB's family of flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) technologies, which help compensate for fluctuations in the voltage and current of an electric grid, allowing more power to flow through the network while maintaining network safety and stability, the company said.
