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24/06/2021

Neoenergia installs substation equipment for system quality boost

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​​​​​compensator-synchronous

Synchronous compensators are the first equipment units of its type to be operated by the company in Brazil. Installation takes place in the cities of Santa Vitória do Palmar and Santana do Livramento, in Rio Grande do Sul​

  

Neoenergia is installing two synchronous compensators in substations of Batch 14 (Aneel Auction 004/2018) under construction in Rio Grande do Sul. The units, aimed at enhancing stability, quality and reliability of the service, are the first of its type to be operated by the company in Brazil. Installation takes place at substations Marmeleiro 2, with 525 kV voltage, and Livramento 3, with 230 kV, located in Santa Vitória do Palmar and Santana do Livramento, respectively. In addition, the batch features more transmission lines under installation, for a total of 770 kilometers long. The entrepreneurship is part of the Lagoa dos Patos project, which has as its main objective the distribution of wind power generation and improving the power grid of the Southern region.​


What is synchronous compensator


The synchronous compensator is an equipment unit that regulates voltage and power within a substation. This means that it may absorb or provide reactive power to the system, depending on current demand. This way, for example, during nighttime, when power demands are low, the compensator absorbs power from the National Interconnected Power System, whereas during peak hours the compensator works in order to provide more reactive power, supplying system needs and regulating voltage levels.

“The country's power system is all interconnected and needs to work in harmony. For this reason the synchronous compensator is so important, contributing to this balance. It improves the reliability of the power system and ensures the customer has a continuous power supply", explains André Xisto, Transmission Superintendent at Neoenergia.   He also outlines that, prior to the installation of a compensator, the regulatory agency carries out simulations and studies in the power system in advance, in order to identify which points in the grid should receive the equipment.


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Installation


The synchronous compensator is a large-scale equipment that requires time until it is ready for operation. The installation at the Marmeleiro 2 substation started on December 2019, and January 2020 at Livramento 3. Works are expected to take until September 2021, comprising over 40 people in each of the substations. Each equipment unit weighs around 262 tons, with 4.1 m (length), 5.6 m (width) and 4.6 m (height). The foundation has around 3 m depth for proper ground fixation.

“The installation of the compensator involves civil, electric, electro-mechanic projects, foundation preparation, manufacturing of all other auxiliary equipment, such as transformers, switches and breakers, in addition to the control and command room and all cabling required for this huge entrepreneurship", says Helber Oliveira, electric engineer at Neoenergia.

Batch 14

Installation of transmission lines that comprise Batch 14 of Aneel auction 004/2018 comprises sections of the Povo Novo – Guaíba 3 C3 transmission lines, with 245.7km extension; Capivari do Sul – Siderópolis 2, at 251.5km extension; Livramento 3 – Santa Maria 3 C2, at 244,5km extension; and Siderópolis 2 – Forquilhinha C2, at 27,6km extension, in addition to Livramento 3 and Marmeleiro 2 substations. Works are in progress and all equipment is to be connected until March 2024, according to the contract entered into with the National Electric Energy Agency.​




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