2007-01-23 - Dry cooling system will help conserve scarce water resources
Zurich, Switzerland, January 23, 2007 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been selected by the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), to upgrade the control and the valve cooling systems of their existing ABB HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) system delivered over 20 years ago.
“New requirements on the energy system, such as integration of wind energy, require additional control features that will be implemented,” says Per Haugland, head of ABB's Grid systems Business Unit. “The total upgrade will further extend the lifetime of the converter stations.”
A modern dry cooling system will replace the original wet cooling system, thus eliminating the use of scarce water resources.
ABB’s MACH 2 system is the world's most used control system for HVDC and FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) with over 400 systems in operation. It is used in all types of HVDC applications from small, yet demanding HVDC Light installations to large 3,000 megawatt power links.
ABB has the broadest experience of upgrades and life extensions in the HVDC industry. Recent projects include the Square Butte HVDC links and the CU HVDC links in the U.S. as well as the Skagerrak 1&2 HVDC link between Denmark and Norway.
In the Apollo converter station in South Africa, upgrades are being made of both valves and control equipment.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 107,000 people.