Zurich, Switzerland, Oct.15, 2014 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth about $16 million from Energinet.dk, the transmission system operator in Denmark and 50 Hertz, the transmission system operator responsible for the eastern part of Germany, to upgrade the 600 megawatt (MW) Kontek high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission link.The order was booked in the third quarter.
The project scope includes installation of ABB’s state-of-the-art MACH control and protection system, remote operator work stations, training and spare parts. The link was originally delivered by ABB in 1995 and the modernization will help enhance the operational reliability of the link and reduce maintenance needs. The upgraded link is scheduled to go into full operation in 2016.
“This upgrade reinforces ABB’s focus and commitment to supporting customers throughout the lifecycle of the products and systems it delivers," said Hanspeter Faessler, head of ABB's Grid Systems business, a part of the company’s Power Systems division. “It also underlines the company’s growing focus on service business.”
ABB has built up significant experience in upgrading HVDC links around the world and is working on many such projects as several installations are coming of age. This is the 23rd major HVDC modernization project for ABB since 1990, including 17 control system upgrades.
ABB’s MACH system is the world's most extensively deployed control solution for HVDC and Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) installations, with over 1,100 such systems in operation throughout the world.
ABB pioneered HVDC transmission technology 60 years ago (read more here) and has built a vast global installed base, having completed almost 100 HVDC projects around the world, with a total transmission capacity of over 95,000 MW. That accounts for about half of the global installed base. ABB remains at the forefront of HVDC innovation and is uniquely positioned in the industry with in-house manufacturing capabilities for all key components of HVDC systems, including power semiconductors, converters and high voltage cables.
