Xcel Energy strengthens the grid with advanced SVCs
USA, New Mexico, Santa Fe: Xcel Energy uses flexible static VAR compensator topology to adapt to changing network conditions.
Image source: T&D World
USA, New Mexico, Santa Fe: Xcel Energy uses flexible static VAR compensator topology to adapt to changing network conditions.
In 2010, Xcel Energy Inc. was tasked by Southwest Power Pool Inc. (SPP) to build out the transmission system in southeast New Mexico, USA, because the oil and gas industry in the area had a growing need for electricity. Oil producers were asking to convert from expensive diesel to more affordable electricity for their pumps. The request from SPP consisted of a transmission system expansion of new 115 kV and 345 kV projects in the region. Spending had to be prioritized between 2010 and 2021 because of the sheer scale of the plan needed to successfully implement the request.
Xcel Energy addressed the plan by implementing projects classified as high priority. This plan resulted in initiating 44 new transmission projects, an investment of $557 M. In 2016, two static VAR compensators (SVCs) — the China Draw and Roadrunner — were built in southeast New Mexico to support SPP’s request.
Because the northwest corner of the Permian Basin is at the edge of Xcel Energy’s service territory, the utility was challenged to provide affordable and reliable service, as it first had to overcome several concerns. The primary concerns were related to dispersed locations and very low system strength at the time of energization. A secondary concern was the extent of changes needed to strengthen the grid. Xcel Energy had to consider these concerns carefully when choosing a solution, including the configuration and the implementation of control limitations and strategies.
Since 2011, as part of its Power for the Plains transmission expansion plan, Xcel Energy has invested in more than 2092 km (1300 mi) of new transmission lines and the upgrade or addition of over 75 substations in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, with even more planned through 2021. This transmission investment represented a $3 B expenditure that was successfully implemented in the region, according to the Power for the Plains website. This prompted the utility to consider two static VAR compensators, one at the Roadrunner substation to meet some specific customer requests and another at the China Draw substation to meet the forecasted load growth.
Source: T&D World