Transpower uses Siemens technology to meet NZ’s power demands

Thursday, Mar 25, 2010

Technology designed and installed by Siemens to ensure secure and stable electrical supply to parts of New Zealand’s South Island is being used at Kikiwa substation.

This SVC PLUS (Static Var Compensator) installation is an advanced STATCOM using Modular Multi-level Converter (MMC) technology and is the first to reach commercial operation in the world, claims Siemens.

Siemens SVC technology was installed at Kikiwa substation in Nelson and Islington substation in Christchurch.

The installation is part of a suite of activities for Transpower’s NZ $70 million Upper South Island Reactive Power Project.

“The increased demand for energy in New Zealand requires newer and more efficient solutions for power transmission. One of the solutions to cope with these new challenges is Siemens SVC PLUS technology,” said Siemens Vice President Power Transmission and Power Distribution, Steve Robinson.

“Siemens SVC PLUS technology provides many advantages such as increased power quality and stability of the transmission network. It is also compact and adaptable, which is an ideal solution when space is limited and costly.”

Source: Pace Today