Alstom to build the first series compensation system in the South Australian transmission network

Alstom Grid has been awarded a multi-million euro turnkey contract by ElectraNet Pty Ltd to supply Flexible AC Transmission Systems in Southern Australia. Alstom will supply Fixed Series Compensation to increase the power transmission capacity by approximately 40 per cent, and improve power quality along the 275 kV South Australia Victoria transmission line. 

The Fixed Series Compensation (FSC) system will be delivered to the new Black Range site located approximately 35 kilometres south of Keith, near the town of Willalooka in South Australia. The site is halfway along the 300 km long, 275 kV transmission line from the Tailem Bend substation to the South East substation, which services the region, connecting the South Australian transmission network with Victoria. 

Alstom will deliver the project on a turnkey without civil works basis, including project management, design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the FSC system. The project will be executed by Alstom units in Australia and Finland, and is scheduled for commissioning in July 2016. 

This project will deliver substantial future benefits to electricity consumers by allowing increased wind energy exports from South Australia and increased imports of lower-cost generation into South Australia, particularly at times of peak demand. 

Alstoms FSC system increases power capacity across the entire transmission line. Fixed series compensation has long been the preferred solution for optimizing performance in very large bulk transmission corridors. The function of the FSC system and its capacitors in a power grid is to improve efficiency by minimizing electrical losses and increasing the transmission systems overall transfer capability. Alstoms comprehensive portfolio of FACTS devices is dedicated to enhancing the power quality and performance of its customers high-voltage AC transmission systems around the world.

About ElectraNet

ElectraNet is a specialist in electricity transmission and as the principal Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) in South Australia, owns and manages South Australias high-voltage electricity transmission network.  ElectraNet operates in Australias National Electricity Market.  ElectraNets transmission network is a critical part of the supply chain that delivers reliable electricity supply to consumers and facilitates lower electricity prices by promoting competition between generators in South Australia and interstate. 

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over 20 billion and booked 21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14. 

About Alstom Grid

Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planets low carbon economy... for now and for the future.

Alstom Grid has over 130 years experience and ranks among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of 3.8 billion. Alstom Grids 17,000 employees are spread across 87 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one common mission: be our customers trusted partner, from the source to the city.

We are energising a smarter world with Alstom.

Julie Khoo/Aline Besselièvre (Alstom Grid) Tel: +33 1 49 01 74 48/67 60;
julie.khoo@alstom.com /aline.besselievre@alstom.com

Sheldon Young (Alstom Australia) Tel.: + 61 (0) 419 322 624
sheldon.young@alstom.com 

Sari Luhanka (Alstom Finland) - Tel +358 50 3860 353
sari.luhanka@alstom.com