Hitachi Energy and TransnetBW make German grid fit for future
February 14, 2024 at 06:35 am EST
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Zurich - Hitachi Energy has signed a major order with German stateowned transmission system operator, TransnetBW to enable the expansion of renewable energy and stabilization of the grid.
Hitachi Energy will supply two Enhanced STATCOM1 stations with the next-generation grid stabilization technology, SVC Light Enhanced, to enable TransnetBW to improve power quality in the transmission grid, which supplies power to 11 million people and numerous industries.
The agreement comes at a time that transmission system operators are relying on new technologies to provide stability to the network due to the acceleration of the energy transition and the move away from conventional power plants. 'The implementation of this solution is another milestone for us in ensuring safe and reliable grid operation in the future,' said Dr. Werner Gotz, CEO of TransnetBW.
As the pioneering technology leader, we are proud to support TransnetBW to safeguard the success of their energy transition,' said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business. 'With power networks evolving rapidly, we are committed to helping our customers and countries transition toward a carbon-neutral energy future and providing future-proof solutions that will offer the flexibility needed to adapt to changing grid conditions.
Hitachi Energy's power quality solutions enable grid operators to dampen the destabilizing effects of renewable energy and expand transmission capacity without building new lines. This pioneering technology supports the energy transition by strengthening and stabilizing power grids handling larger amounts of renewable energy. It helps maintain grid voltage and frequency to ensure operational security and a smooth transition to clean, quality power.
Hitachi Energy's breakthrough solution combines two power quality and grid stabilization technologies in a single compact device. Using innovative power electronics, it integrates the efficient reactive power compensation of SVC Light with supercapacitors, which are electronic devices that absorb and inject active power into the grid in milliseconds. The SVC Light Enhanced technology safely protects grid stability, reliability and power quality as the transition to renewable energy accelerates. Advanced control features like Grid Forming Control provide significant improvements over previous solutions and make this technology less sensitive to future changes in the network.
About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world's energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. We integrate more than 150 GW of HVDC links into the power system, helping our customers enable more wind and solar. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ more than 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of 'Digital Systems & Services' - supporting our customers' digital transformation; 'Green Energy & Mobility' - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and 'Connective Industries' - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide.
Hitachi specializes in manufacturing and marketing of electronic and industrial equipments. Net sales (including intragroup) break down by family of products and services as follows:
- social infrastructure and industrial systems (24.7%): elevators, escalators, industrial facilities, railway systems, power generation units, etc. The group also provides engineering and construction of nuclear, hydroelectric, and thermal power plants services;
- information and telecommunications products and services (20.1%): systems integration, cloud computing, software, servers, hard disks, PCs, ATMs, data communication base stations, payment terminals, etc.;
- materials and components (16.6%): semi-conductor materials, printed circuit cards, cables, copper and forged steel products, magnetic materials, organic and inorganic chemical products, etc.;
- construction equipment (10%) : hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, mining equipment, etc.;
- automotive systems (9.4%): powertrain systems, control systems, etc.;
- electronic products (9.2%): fiber-optic components, screen tubes, testing and measurement equipment, medical equipment, equipment for manufacturing semiconductors, etc.;
- household appliances (4.7%): heating and air conditioning equipments, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.;
- other (5.3%): mainly transport, financial and logistical services.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Japan (49.2%), Asia (21.3%), North America (12.7%), Europe (10.8%) and other (6%).