Transmission Mega-Projects

What is a Transmission Mega-Project? A Transmission Mega-Project is a project that involves the installation of a long transmission line(s) and substations with the following typical characteristics:

Main transmission line is Extra-High Voltage (EHV), usually HVDC or 345KV -765KV AC

Overall line length is 100+ miles, and can span different RTOs / ISOs / Balancing Authorities.

Connecting remote renewable energy to major load centers

Catchy nickname or acronym: Energy Gateway, SWIP & SNIP, ON Line, MAPP, PATH, TrAIL, Zephyr

Who’s building them? The types of project owners and project execution approaches are as varied as the project names. There are classic investor owned utilities (IOUs), independent transmission operators and various joint ventures/collaborations of both types. Regardless of the owner, the resources required to handle the logistics of a Mega-Project are, well…mega-massive.

These Mega-Projects present technical and logistical challenges that ABB can help solve. Newer technologies in substation automation, controlled switching, and reactive compensation were not available the last time the US proposed building such a large amount of transmission infrastructure. Without them, these substations are outdated before they’re built. Many of these technologies are required as a foundation to accommodate tomorrow’s innovation.

At the EHV levels, these transmission projects often require Series Compensation and Static-Var-Compensators in addition to high voltage circuit breakers, high voltage instrument transformers, oil-filled shunt reactors, and auto-transformers; and unique products such as Phase-Shifting Transformers have been in the scope of some of these projects. Beyond equipment, EHV substation engineering expertise and consulting system study resources are required to design and implement these projects. As more of these projects get underway, shifts in strategy will be required to deal with longer lead times,

ABB Power Systems940 Main Campus Dr

Raleigh NC 27606www.abb.us/substations

limited power systems engineering resources, and stretched construction workforces.

What can ABB provide to help with these challenges? ABB is uniquely qualified with a full portfolio range of technology and engineering expertise to assist with these challenges. First of all, we can review your major equipment specifications for these large EHV projects and provide feedback on the latest manufacturer processes and techniques that will keep your equipment costs in check. Second, we can recommend

proven technology that could be applied to your specific project and demonstrate the benefits that would be achieved. In addition, you’ll get information directly from ABB, the OEM EPC who can manufacture the equipment and deliver the entire substation – logistic information that you need for your siting and environmental permits. Finally, ABB can provide studies that demonstrate the benefits of certain technologies or comparative analysis of alternatives to help you with the issue of cost allocation and cost recovery.

ABB Power Systems940 Main Campus Dr

Raleigh NC 27606www.abb.us/substations