Alstom wins contract for MSCDN system and switchgear panels for TransnetBW in Germany

Alstom has been awarded a contract by TransnetBW to supply a 250 MVAr Mechanically Switched Capacitor with Damping Network (MSCDN) for a 380 kV substation in Engstlatt (Baden-Württemberg), Germany. In addition to the MSCDN, the contract also involves the expansion of the 380 kV substation and installation of a further 110 kV switchyard section. Transmission grid operator TransnetBW is a subsidiary of EnBW and based in Stuttgart, Germany. 

The construction and assembly of the switchgear panels will be completed by Alstom Grid in Dresden, while the MSCDN system will be delivered by Alstom Grid Berlin. The MSCDN system is to be handed over to the customer in August 2013.

Regions with low energy needs are increasingly turning to renewable and decentralised energy sources, posing a number of challenges for transmission grid operators. Alstoms MSCDN system stabilises the voltage and increases the transmission capacity to ensure the availability of reactive power for feeding in the injection of reactive power at short notice.

MSCDN systems allow grid operators to inject up to 250 MVAr of capacitive reactive power within seconds at a nominal transmission grid voltage of 380 kV. The systems filter characteristics significantly reduce voltage harmonics, which are increasingly being fed into the transmission grid due to the rising number of power electronics components (e.g. renewable energies), leading to a higher voltage quality. The flexibility of the MSCDN systems means that they can support high capacity voltage levels when required and simply be disconnected from the grid when capacity utilisation is low, thus eliminating any risk of a voltage increase. The systems are designed to be switched on or off up to five times a day on average.

With five systems already installed, Alstom is the first and leading manufacturer of MSCDN systems in Germany. Two of these systems have been installed for TransnetBW and have been in operation since 2009 and 2010 respectively. Five further MSCDN systems are currently in the implementation stage.

These two projects helped Alstom establish a long term partnership with the grid operator, which has now been strengthened by Alstom winning the new contract, says Jan-Hendrik von Auer, Unit Manager Power Electronics Activities Alstom Grid, Berlin.

Press Contact
Tanja Kampa (Alstom Deutschland AG)
Tel: +49 621 329 2070
tanja.kampa@power.alstom.com