ABB wins contract to upgrade Copel hydroelectric power plant in Brazil

ABB will provide excitation systems and speed regulation for four generator units at the 20-year-old Governador José Richa hydroelectric power plant on the Iguazu River, and help Copel (Companhia Paranaense de Energia) enhance visibility of its operational data using predictive diagnostics. The hydroelectric power plant produces 1240 MW of installed power, with capacity to meet the power demands of approximately 4.5 million residents, or 40% of Paraná’s population.

“The upgrade of the excitation system and the turbine speed regulators and their integration into the ABB Ability™ 800xA automation system will improve the performance and reliability of this hydroelectric power plant,” said Maurício Cunha, Head of Industrial Automation, ABB Brazil.

ABB’s Unitrol® 6000 Static Excitation System (SES) includes a high-performance controller. Modern hardware allows the Unitrol® 6000 control loop to react faster to grid disturbances, without disconnecting the unit from the grid. The Unitrol® 6000 SES also has two separate channels and an additional backup channel for emergency control of the generator. Each channel is designed to handle the maximum field current, enhancing reliability.

‘Hot swap’ maintenance, while the system is still in operation, will improve availability and extend uptime for the generator at the plant. Extending uptime increases profitability, while also safeguarding the electrical components.

Copel is one of the largest companies in the Brazilian electricity sector. It has 46 of its own power plants - 20 hydroelectric, one thermal and 25 wind farms – and operates a quota of hydroelectric power plants. Copel has interests in 11 other generation projects, totalling an installed capacity of 6394 MW. ABB is also supporting Copel with asset management and life cycle services to optimise the plant.

The new system includes a speed turbine regulator and complies with grid code compliance regulations.

Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/other-renewables/26112019/abb-wins-contract-to-upgrade-copel-hydroelectric-power-plant-in-brazil/