NORWAY - GE's Grid Solutions has completed the three-month trial of its Static Var Compensator (SVC) upgrade to the existing SVCs at two substations belonging to electrical transmission system operator (TSO) Statnett.

The Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) upgrade improves the operational efficiency and stability of Statnett's alternating current (AC) power system in order to accommodate more renewable energy.

During the three-month performance trial period, which ended in October 2021, there were no interruptions at the Rød and Verdal substations.

"With the successful completion of this project for Statnett, GE has once again proven the technical and project execution capabilities of our FACTS solutions," said Fabrice Jullien, FACTS Global Business Leader at GE's Grid Solutions. 

GE develops high-voltage reactive compensation solutions, including Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), Static Var Compensators (SVCs), Series Compensation Systems and Synchronous Condensers.

Unlike traditional 6-pulse SVCs, Rød and Verdal SVCs use a 12-pulse configuration enabling configuration without passive filters, which means they take up less space. Additionally, due to the limited space within the substation, GE introduced a unique three-phase stacked thyristor valve configuration which contributed to a 66% footprint reduction, the manufacturer said in a press release.

GE's system design involves upgrades to Statnett's existing SVCs to regulate the voltage in the system during normal operations and provide reactive power compensation during faults in the system.

Source: GE