Enel to deploy digital transformers from Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Switzerland, Zurich: The collaboration between Enel and Hitachi ABB Power Grids will start in Italy, where Enel distributes around 200 TWh units of electricity.
Image source: Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Switzerland, Zurich: The collaboration between Enel and Hitachi ABB Power Grids will start in Italy, where Enel distributes around 200 TWh units of electricity.
The pilot phase of the project will take place in Enel’s substation of Cortina D’Ampezzo using two 40 MVA TXpertTM digital power transformers. This will increase reliability of the electrical grid in the well-known mountain resort of Cortina, situated in the heart of the southern Alps in Veneto region of Northern Italy.
Substation operators in Cortina habitually face challenging weather conditions such as heavy snowstorms in winter – and they have recently been contending with the COVID-19 pandemic. Deploying service workers to regularly check transformer health is expensive and may not always be possible due to the harsh weather conditions, something made easier by the digital power transformers technology.
Research published by CIGRÉ, a leading, global non-profit organization in the field of high-voltage electricity, found the benefits of transformer monitoring has the potential to deliver 75 % reduction in repair costs due to early detection, a 60 % reduction in revenue loss due to unanticipated, problems or outages, a 50 % reduction in risk of catastrophic failures and annual cost savings up to 2 % of the price of a new transformer.
“With TXpertTM we will optimize the operations and maintenance of our transformers. We expect to improve reliability and reduce risk with consequent life extension of transformers, looking at the company targets of a more sustainable grid and better power quality,” said Flavio Mauri, from Enel’s Infrastructure and Networks division.
Source: Hitachi ABB Power Grids