Siemens to deliver converter transformers and thyristor valves for the longest and highest capacity HVDC transmission link in the world
Erlangen, Germany, April 07, 2008
Siemens Energy together with local partners is to deliver ten extra-high voltage converter transformers, five of them rated at 800 kilovolts, as well as 6-inch thyristor valve technology of one of the two converter stations for the future high voltage DC transmission (HVDC) link from the Xiangjiaba hydro-electric power plant in south western China to Shanghai on the east coast of the country. With a transmission capacity of 6400 megawatts and a length of more than 2000 kilometers (1240 miles) the planned HVDC transmission link will have the highest capacity of any such system in the world and will also be the longest. The order has been placed by the State Grid Corporation of China and has a value for Siemens of about 160 million euros. Completion is scheduled for 2011.
In order to further minimize the transmission losses of the HVDC system it will be operated at a transmission voltage of +/- 800 kilovolts. “With the further development of our HVDC transmission technology, especially with respect to the 800-kV voltage level and converter technology based on the new 6-inch thyristors, we will enable our customer to transport large amounts of energy in an environmentally friendly manner with low loss. Moreover, as an expert and reliable technology partner we are also helping them to build up sustainable energy systems,” said Dr. Udo Niehage, CEO of the Power Transmission Division in the Siemens Energy Sector.
The ten HVDC transformers that Siemens is delivering for the Fulong converter station in Sichuan at the Xiangjiaba hydro-electric power plant will be built at the Nuremberg transformer factory which specializes in the manufacture of converter transformers among other products. This applies particularly for the newly developed 800-kV HVDC transformers. “Last year Siemens became the first transformer manufacturer in the world to receive an order for 800-kV converter transformers. This new order confirms that our customer is absolutely satisfied with our high performance technology” commented Dr. Bertram Ehmann, Head of the transformer business in the Siemens Energy Sector.
Siemens is equipping the valve towers of the Fulong converter station with the latest generation of 6-inch high-performance thyristors, without which the low-loss transmission of the very high direct current voltages required here would not be possible at all.
In June 2007 Siemens already won an order from China to construct an HVDC transmission link together with Chinese partners between the province of Yunnan in southwestern China and the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. When this system goes on-stream in mid-2010 it will be the first in the world to transmit electricity at a DC voltage of +/- 800 kilovolts over a distance of 1400 kilometers (870 miles).
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2007 (ended September 30, based on IFRS), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR20 billion and received new orders totaling around EUR28 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.8 billion. The Energy Sector had a work force of 73,500 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.
All figures represent the sum of the nonconsolidated figures for the Power Generation and Power Transmission and Distribution Groups and for the Oil, Gas and Marine Solutions Division of the Industrial Solutions and Services Group.
Reference Number: EPT200804.022e tp