A special adaptation of ABB’s PASS family is the compact M0H switchgear that is factory assembled and high-voltage tested for rapid installation and energization on site.
ABB pioneered the PASS (Plug And Switch System) in 1999, a compact hybrid switchgear that is fully assembled and high-voltage tested at the factory for rapid installation and energization. The PASS product family covers voltages from 72.5 to 420 kilovolt (kV) with breaking current capability ranging from 31.5 to 63 kiloamps (kA).
The PASS encloses all the functions of a complete switchgear bay in a single module. The hybrid design makes use of a traditional air-insulated busbar to connect with other equipment in the substation, while enclosing all the high-voltage bay functions in a single-phase gas-insulated housing where they are fully protected. This enables the PAS unit to be installed outdoors in any climatic conditions.
With more than 8,500 bays deployed, PASS is the most widely installed hybrid switchgear worldwide, protecting networks in many different climates and applications.
A special adaptation of the PASS design is the PASS M0H – rated from 72.5 to 245 kV – that combines all the functions of a complete switchyard in a single subassembly designed for connections to the high voltage network with an H configuration. On one side, it uses traditional air-insulated connections between equipment; on the other side, it encloses the selected bay functions in a single-phase gas-insulated housing including:
- Circuit breaker
- Combined disconnector and earthing switches
- Voltage transformers (VTs) and Voltage sensors
- Current transformers (CTs)
- Motor drive option
- Fast earthing switch option
- Plug-in cables option
The PASS M0H module is completely factory assembled and tested, ready for rapid installation and energization. Typical applications include:
- Integration of renewable power to the grid
- Remote mining connections
- Mobile or skid mounted substations
- Substation extensions or bay replacements
Reliable upgrade for hydropower plant in the Swiss Alps
The 11.6 megawatt (MW) Russein hydropower plant in the canton of Grisons had been in service for 67 years, when work began in 2013 to expand its capacity to 24.2 MW. The plant operator, the Swiss utility Axpo Group, upgraded the infrastructure, including the Russein dam, pressure pipe and operations centre, so the plant produces 52 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy per year and can meet the electrical demand of 17,000 households. The 72.5 kilovolt (kV) high-voltage switchyard was also upgraded, but needed a reliable switchgear solution that ensures out of service disorders are minimized.
ABB’s supplied a PASS M0H module, a solution that offers a complete high-voltage switchyard with an ‘H’ configuration as a single, compact product, ready for rapid energization.
With the PASS M0H technology, Axpo was able to refurbish the high-voltage switchyard in four days, instead of the estimated eight weeks needed to install equivalent air-insulated switchgear bays. At the same time it saved 70 percent of the switchyard footprint to reduce its environmental impact, an important factor in the beautiful Val Russein.
UK’s first PASS M0H ensures security of supply for a new data centre campus
The UK’s first installation of the PASS M0H was for a new data centre campus on the outskirts of London, which was designed to be the country’s greenest data centre. The initial building at the site is the first of three phases and consumes 10 MW of power.
The PASS M0H module is connected to two separate incoming 132 kV feeds from the local UK Power Networks grid and feeds two 132/11 kV power transformers. On one side, it uses silicone rubber outer insulated bushings and on the other side plug in type cable connections. A changeover switch in the cross bar of the H delivers total flexibility and security of supply by seamlessly switching between the two incoming or outgoing circuits when required.
Because it encloses the functions of a complete switchyard with an H configuration in a single sub-assembly, the PASS M0H has a significantly smaller footprint than alternative solutions. For the data centre operator this means that more of its footprint can be dedicated to income-generating server space without losing any performance or resilience of the grid connection. It also minimizes the resources required for civil engineering and enabling works.
The PASS M0H module was delivered to site completely factory assembled and tested. This enabled fast installation as well as reducing on-site logistics and associated costs and maintenance needs as all the live contacts are in SF6 gas.
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