2012-05-02 - Commissioned two weeks ahead of the schedule, the PCS 6000 static frequency converter (SFC) now couples the 50Hz public utility grid with the 16.7Hz grid of the railway. This delivery represents the core of a large order that was executed by ABB in close cooperation with Balfour Beatty Rail company.
Often referred to as the “Oil capital of Norway”, Stavanger is the fourth largest city in the country and has a busy railway infrastructure. The railway network is operated by the government agency Jernbaneverket (the Norwegian National Rail Administration) which is this project’s end-customer.
Rail system
As everywhere else, the rail system in Norway has its challenges. The equipment, including rolling stock and converter stations, comes from various suppliers and various generations of products. So when new equipment is added, whether trains or power supplies, the network operator has to ensure a smooth interoperability of the new installation with the existing system.
In order to guarantee the required trouble free interaction, ABB provided functionality simulation and analyses according to the EN50388 norms (technical criteria for the coordination between power supply and rolling stock to achieve interoperability in railway applications). “It was a meticulous job, but we gained a valuable experience through it”, comments Andreas Haemmerli, Project Manager for ABB MV Power Converters.
External influences
The harsh climate in the Northern Europe imposes tough demands on the equipment, such as the ability to start up after several weeks long stop at temperatures of -25˚C. ABB’s PCS 6000 static frequency converter met this requirement insuring a trouble free start up. The supplied PCS 6000 SFC has two units, of 15 MW each. The system couples the 50Hz public utility grid with the 16.7Hz grid of the railway and allows transmitting energy either way.
Installation
The fully standardized and modular PCS 6000 system is usually installed in a container outdoors, as a faster and cost effective solution. At Stavanger upon customer’s request the converter was installed inside of the newly built converter station. The power part, the sophisticated controls and the reliable cooling unit are delivered as separate modules, which allows installation in an independent room with as few connections as possible.
Balfour Beatty Rail, as turn-key contractor, was in charge of the overall project management, overall system design and integration, including the building adaptation, station control system and installation of the whole station. Balfour Beatty Rail has previously supplied five static frequency converter substations to the Norwegian railway.
Besides the power converters, ABB’s scope of supply included custom-made transformers, cooling equipment, the auxiliary power distribution, 50kV switchgear, capacitors, as well as MicroSCADA for the station communication with the superior grid control. ABB units from Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and India worked closely together to make this order a success.