Alstom presents trend-setting solutions in the energy sector

Alstom is presenting two first high-voltage applications using g3 (green gas for grid), a gas mixture that can replace SF6 for high voltage air-insulated (AIS) or gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) applications. SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas commonly used as an electrical insulator. In August 2014, Alstom became the first company in the world to offer the electrical industry a technically and economically viable alternative to SF6.

In addition, Alstom Grid has developed a new hybrid switchgear specially designed for the railway energy transmission networks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, based on a rated frequency of 16.7 Hz and a rated voltage up to 145 kV. Due to the design of the HYpact-module, it is possible to save more than 50 % in space compared to a conventional air-insulated substation.

Power transformers are an essential part for the transmission and distribution of electrical power. The generation of environmentally friendly power transformers in the range of 10 MVA and 15 MVA is setting new standards. The mineral oil used in traditional transformers was substituted by environmentally-friendly bio-oil. On the basis of a new winding insulation, the power transformers have a higher overload capability connected with a higher lifetime. The cost-effective concept of the power transformer implies low losses and noise as well as an improved corrosion protection.

Alstom´s Digital Substation 2.0 concept 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. Digital Substation 2.0 enhances Smart Grid management and operation using intuitive dashboards for enhanced situational awareness an improved operation of intelligent grids. It ensures optimum real-time performance of the grid by monitoring availability, health, and dynamic loading capability of the substation assets and connected circuits.

The battery energy storage solution, MaxSineTM eStorage, enables energy storage along the grid. This solution will increase energy efficiency and balance energy flow in real-time, based on consumer demand. MaxSineTM eStorage addresses the instabilities on the electrical grid created by intermittent sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar. Each MaxSineTM eStorage module is connected to a battery up to 2 MW, and with additional modules, storage capacity can reach 12 MW.

Since October 2014, the Hamburg branch of ALSTOM Renewable Germany GmbH supports customer projects in the areas of on- and offshore wind in the German market. With the two wind turbines (ECO122 and HaliadeTM 150-6 MW), Alstom is setting technological milestones in the generation of power from wind energy. In its new 3.0 MW design, the onshore wind turbine ECO122 offers a 6% greater yield than the 2.7 MW model given a high capacity factor of up to 48%. In addition, the 2.7 MW design just recently received both the SDL [1] as well as the DIBT [2] certification – the respective certifications for the 3.0 MW design are in preparation. In terms of cost efficiency and flexibility in the construction of the complete wind turbines, Alstom has developed partnerships with the tower specialists Max Bögl Wind and Freyssinet.

With a rotor diameter of 150 metres and a performance of 6 MW, HaliadeTM 150-6MW is one of the largest wind turbines in the world. It is equipped with Alstom’s PURE TORQUE® technology to protect the generator and can cater for the power consumption of 5,000 households. Its energy yield is 15% higher than that of other offshore wind turbines with similar performance. In the meantime, the offshore wind turbine has secured its final certification from the certification body DNV-GL, which is important for next step of commercial operation of the Haliade. The serial production shall start in March 2015 in the new French factories. Alstom will equip the first three French wind farms off the Atlantic coast with 240 Haliade wind turbines with a total power of 1,400 MW. In the USA, Alstom has already received an order to equip the first US wind farm “Block Island” on the East Coast with five HaliadeTM 150-6MW wind turbines, which will cover the power demand of 17,000 households from 2016 onwards.

[1] SDL = system services (Systemdienstleistungen)
[2] DIBT = German Institute for Construction Engineering (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik)