Hitachi Energy, TransnetBW to Expand Renewable Energy, Stability for German Grid

TransnetBW and Hitachi Energy have signed a large-scale grid stabilization technology order to expand renewable energy and stabilization for the German grid. Hitachi Energy will supply two STATCOM stations with its grid stabilization technology, SVC Light Enhanced, to allow TransnetBW to improve power quality in the transmission grid, which supplies power to approximately 11 million people and various industries.

The agreement arrives during a time in which transmission system operators are deploying new technologies to provide stability to the network. Operators are relying on these technologies due to the acceleration of the energy transition and a departure from conventional power plants.

“As the pioneering technology leader, we are proud to support TransnetBW to safeguard the success of their energy transition,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “With power networks evolving rapidly, we are committed to helping our customers and countries transition toward a carbon-neutral energy future and providing future-proof solutions that will offer the flexibility needed to adapt to changing grid conditions.”

SVC Light Enhanced solution; Image Credits: Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy’s power quality solutions allow grid operators to dampen the destabilizing effects of intermittent renewable energy and expand transmission capacity without building new lines. This technology supports the energy transition by strengthening and stabilizing power grids responsible for large amounts of renewable energy. SVC Light Enhanced helps to maintain grid voltage and frequency to ensure operational security and a transition to quality power.

The solution combines two power quality and grid stabilization technologies in a single compact device. Relying on power electronics, it integrates the efficient reactive power compensation of SVC Light with supercapacitors, which are electronic devices that absorb and inject active power into the grid within milliseconds. SVC Light Enhanced technology protects grid stability, reliability, and power quality as the transition to renewable energy advances. Advanced control features, such as Grid Forming Control, provide improvements over previous solutions and make the technology less sensitive to changes in the network.