Alstom Grid unveils its latest innovations at CIGRE 2014, the biennial worldwide forum of the electrical power industry, held in Paris.
Technological launches include:
– g3: Alstom is the first in the world to launch a clean alternative to SF6, a gas commonly used in high-voltage equipment. The revolutionary SF6-free solution, g3 – green gas for grid – was jointly developed with 3MTM, a leader in environmentally sustainable solutions. g3 has 98 per cent less impact on global warming than SF6. With performances comparable to SF6, it is a suitable technology for the development of today’s new generation of clean high- and ultra-high voltage equipment. Alstom and RTE have already initiated a partnership to put in operation a pilot equipment.
– Direct Current (DC) Breaker: In the framework of the Twenties European program, Alstom has developed an ultra-fast DC Circuit Breaker, taking a major step towards creating the Supergrid, which effectively integrates large amounts of renewables and enables intercontinental energy trade. Alstom’s prototype successfully interrupted a 5200-ampere current at 160 kV with full extinction of DC in less than 5.5 milliseconds – under the real operational constraints of a high-voltage DC transmission grid.
Alstom also launched Asset Management Solution, a comprehensive business solution that maximizes the value and reliability of customers’ electrical assets. Alstom inspects and collects data from all types of electrical assets, including third-party equipment. The solution uses advanced analytics to provide a comprehensive assessment of asset conditions, so that informed decisions can be taken for maintenance and asset replacement. The solution also integrates real-time condition monitoring of equipment to anticipate failures, thus reducing failure rates by up to 70% and maintenance costs by up to 30%.
Finally, Alstom releases Digital Substation 2.0, a smart digital technology that brings together the powerful potential of primary and secondary plant smart digital technologies, and is already under execution with our customers. This latest compact, universal solution extends substation automation monitoring and control applications, improves personnel safety, and reduces footprint. Digital Substation 2.0 enhances Smart Grid management and operation using intuitive dashboards for enhanced situational awareness. It ensures optimum real-time performance of the grid by monitoring availability, health, and dynamic loading capability of the substation assets and connected circuits.
Visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to receive even more news and updates from Alternative Energy Africa.