Energy News

Hitachi Energy will deliver a 150 Mvar static compensator (STATCOM) at the Transpower Hamilton substation to improve voltage management across the Waikato and Upper North Island region, where a large amount of thermal generation capacity is being decommissioned and demand is set to grow.

The project is one of the largest of its kind across New Zealand for Hitachi Energy, which will engineer, procure, and build the specialist STATCOM equipment.

New Zealand’s goal to cut net greenhouse gas emissions to 50 per cent by 2030 has seen around 1000 megawatts of fossil-fueled generation capacity decommissioned across the region since 2012. Coupled with demand growth this raises the risk of voltage instability. Under certain scenarios, transient over-voltage and under-voltage events could make voltage management difficult and potentially lead to voltage collapse and blackouts. These risks meant Transpower required a new dynamic reactive plant to help maintain quality of supply for the Waikato and Upper North Island regions.

Transpower’s preferred location for this device was the Hamilton substation.

The STATCOM solution

Hitachi Energy’s STATCOM was the chosen option because of its compact power electronics and the technology that can be provided in a small footprint.

The STATCOM operates according to voltage source converter (VSC) principles, combining unique pulse width modulation (PWM) with millisecond switching.

It increases power transfer capability by enhancing voltage stability and maintaining a smooth voltage profile under different network conditions.

The equipment will be installed in a dedicated building next to the existing substation site. It was custom designed for the compact location, with specialised components such as control systems and valves required to pass seismic testing requirements. It also includes a yoke winding that will provide an onsite 400V supply, increasing reliability and reducing the need for additional service transformers on site.

Hitachi Energy will design and build the STATCOM in Sweden, while the transformers will be provided by Hitachi Energy’s Thailand operations.

Hitachi Energy employees will deliver the project and local providers have been engaged for civil construction, HVAC and specialist fire systems.

Design of the 150 Mvar STATCOM for the Hamilton substation is now complete, and manufacturing of the component parts is underway.

Construction on site will start in mid-2022 and the project is expected to be commissioned and in service by winter 2023.

Industry-leading experience

Transpower presented analysis to the Commerce Commission determining that the dynamic reactive plant was the preferred option for voltage management, with both quantified and unquantified benefits documented.   

As a critical infrastructure provider, Hitachi Energy has a team of local experts located across New Zealand, backed by an extensive global network of around 38,000 people in 90 countries.

Hitachi Energy has been delivering key power electronics-based infrastructure in New Zealand since 1965. Its technology first formed part of the 600 MW HVDC Inter-island Link between Benmore (in the South Island) and Haywards (in the North Island).

STATCOMs are a proven technology for improving voltage support and helping to maximize the value of existing network assets.

Find out more about Hitachi Energy’s Capacitors and Filters, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) and STATCOMs.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible, and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries.

Headquartered in Switzerland, we generate business volumes of approximately US$10 billion.  

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