CONDIS to deliver HV products and solutions for the ZhangBei project, first and largest 550kV DC meshed grid project in the world.
The main challenge of this project for OEM partners is the development of DC circuit breakers with a new switching system capable of opening DC currents. To meet this need, the Swiss company is in development of four types of new HV capacitor products for these DC breakers including DC-Fast Circuit Breaker (pure DC-voltage), DC Pole Bus Circuit Breaker (pure DC-voltage), Starting Resistor Bypass Circuit Breaker (composite voltage AC & DC) and Converter AC Side Circuit Breaker (composite voltage AC & DC).
CONDIS, a leading developer and manufacturer of HV capacitors and solutions, today announced that the Swiss company has been selected to deliver customized products and solutions to the major OEMs involved in the grid initiative called the ZhangBei project. This large scale program is designed as a direct current project securing power supply to the Chinese capital from a variety of renewable sources including wind, solar and hydro powers CONDIS experts are supporting key partners’ R&D teams with innovative DC circuit breakers & DC voltage dividers for Flexible HVDC solutions. Customers include NHVS, PG, ABB, XD, NARI and XJ.
The first phase consists in the building of four converter stations including three sending terminals (1500MW/±500kV each) and one receiving terminal (3000MW/±500kV). After commissioning, this grid architecture and its capabilities will be the first and largest DC network worldwide, becoming the technological reference in the field. All next phases, will be duplicated from this master program.
CONDIS will be the first to market with the largest 550kV DC meshed grid that includes four types of new HV capacitors for DC converter valve circuit breakers using four lines and four substations. This will provide more than six times the energy conversion on the grid while allowing the DC circuit breaker to open circuits on the production site should any line get compromised, thereby minimizing losses and increasing flexibility to transfer energy on the line.
“Demand for meshed DC grids is growing and these new developments are opening an increased need for high voltage capacitors,” said CONDIS’ VP and General Manager Gérard Lopez. “We have invested substantial time and resources in R&D to follow the evolution of the transmission/distribution grid and to provide our customers with the most secure, reliable, innovative and adapted products. CONDIS absorbs the risk for the OEM, due to our proven success with circuit breakers and dividers. Participation in this project reinforces our strategic position in China, Asia and paves the way for future worldwide projects of this magnitude.”
The main challenge of this project for OEM partners is the development of DC circuit breakers with a new switching system capable of opening DC currents. To meet this need, the Swiss company is in development of four types of new HV capacitor products for these DC breakers including DC-Fast Circuit Breaker (pure DC-voltage), DC Pole Bus Circuit Breaker (pure DC-voltage), Starting Resistor Bypass Circuit Breaker (composite voltage AC & DC) and Converter AC Side Circuit Breaker (composite voltage AC & DC). The integration of more complete solutions that also arouse CONDIS’ clients interest, are currently on the study phase by the different partners.
“CONDIS has been regarded as a reliable provider of high voltage capacitors for circuit breakers and dividers for two decades,” said Lijiang Chi, Chief Engineer and Vice GM of XJ, a participant in the ZhangBei DC Grid Project. “The ZhangBei project will provide enough power on the grid to manage the increasing demand for high energy without breakdown of the grid. CONDIS’ technology will aid us in minimizing disruptions by increasing the number of lines and substations.”
CONDIS’ high voltage capacitors and resistors are key components for DC circuit breakers and DC voltage dividers by reinforcing DC circuit breaker switching capability and DC voltage divider accurate measurements. The long term stability, temperature control and outstanding insulation design of CONDIS HV capacitors and voltage dividers help customers handle variable working conditions in high altitude HVDC substations.
