 
ABB to deliver HVDC Light technology to Australia
Project allows energy trading in
Australia’s deregulated power market
Zurich, Switzerland, December 22, 1998 - ABB, the
international engineering and technology group, has
won an order to build a power link in Australia using
High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology. The
65-kilometer (41-mile) so called HVDC Light link will
connect the power grids of Queensland and New South
Wales and allow power to be traded for the first time
between the two states. The order was placed by HQI
Australia Limited Partnership and EMMLINK Pty Ltd,
which have formed a joint venture to build, own and
operate the link. ABB did not disclose the value of
the order. Construction of the link is to begin in
June 1999 with operation scheduled to start in January
2000.
Under the terms of the contract, ABB will supply
two converter stations and an underground cable. HVDC
Light is a lower-cost, more compact and faster-to-build
alternative to conventional HVDC power transmission
systems. HVDC Light is also designed to closely measure
and control power flows. That will allow participants
in Australia’s deregulated power market to schedule
exact power deliveries according to long- and short-term
contracts.
Technology highlights
HVDC Light is a newly developed technology for transmission
of electric power where other solutions are not possible
or economically feasible. A new generation of converters
significantly reduces the size of the installation.
This small-scale system is recommended for power transmission
over long distances, or to connect small-scale power
generation to a larger grid. In a period of growing
deregulation, HVDC Light meets the need for more competitively
priced power transmission systems.
Key features:
- Modular design decreases installation costs, shortens
delivery time, makes service and maintenance easier.
- Underground transmission minimizes environmental
intrusion.
- Ability to control and measure power flow in the
system opens new opportunities for electricity trading.
Power supplies can be scheduled exactly according
to contractual requirements.
The ABB Group ( http://www.abb.com
) serves customers worldwide in power generation,
transmission and distribution; automation; oil, gas,
and petrochemicals; industrial products and contracting;
financial services; and rail transportation. The Group
reported orders in 1997 of US$ 35 billion and employs
about 214,000 people in more than 100 countries. (End)
For more information contact Mr.
John Fox
Corporate Communications Tel: +41 1 317 7371 Fax:
+41 1 317 7958
Ms.
Kajsa Forsberg
ABB Sweden, Västerås Tel. +46 21 325 025
Fax +46 21 186 957
Original
Press Release at ABB.com
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