Norway's most advanced compact secondary substation will set a new standard for reliable distribution of power with reduced operating and maintenance costs. The Norwegian Smartgrid Centre estimates that power outages cost the Norwegian society around NOK 1 billion annually.
A smarter distribution grid with compact secondary substations (CSS) as a vital part, is the most important tool for reducing this waste. Smartgrids are also central to the energy revolution, with multi-way flow of both power and information.
ABB and utility Ringerikskraft Nett have collaborated on a unique pilot CSS operating in Hønefoss.
«Ringerikskraft is concerned with innovation and digitalization to offer customers the best possible products at the lowest possible price. The digital CSS can improve operation and maintenance in the distribution network and is also supporting the energy revolution,” says Morten Sjaamo, project manager at Ringerikskraft Nett.
The pilot is equipped with remote control from the operations center to monitor the operational status of the CSS and allow quick reaction from maintenance service and therefore cutting the downtime.
«The CSS is equipped with unique sensor technology for monitoring its own technical equipment, the vital transformer oil and the building. The information is available at the operations center for assessment of condition-based maintenance and faster and easier troubleshooting,” says Gøran Salomonsen, Country Managing Director of ABB Electrification Norway. “It features automatic adjustment of the voltage on the consumer side as well. This means a constant voltage level regardless of the load, allowing the right power quality at all times.
In addition, the pilot in Hønefoss features ABB's sustainable and climate friendly AirPlus technology. Thanks to its low global warming potential, the environmental impact is reduced. In addition, the CSS features solar cells on the roof that can produce up to 2 kW of renewable energy, for own consumption or for the grid.
The pilot project is supported by PILOT-E, a collaboration between the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and Enova. PILOT-E was established to accelerate the “green shift” by ensuring a faster development from idea to market. Ringerikskraft uses the support to investigate and test new technology that operates the power grid more efficiently.
Ringerikskraft Nett AS ensures that the power is safely delivered to 22,000 customers. The utility is responsible for building, operating, maintaining and renewing the power grid in Ringerike and Hole. The business is strictly regulated and operated in accordance with frameworks provided by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB).
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
