Press Presse Press Presse
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
Erlangen, Germany, March 30, 2010
Siemens to supply technology for stabilization of high-voltage transmission network in
Saudi Arabia – order valued at EUR65 million
Siemens Energy has received an order worth EUR65 million from Saudi Arabia to supply
three turnkey static reactive-power compensation systems. Siemens will supply three static
Var compensators (SVCs) for different high-voltage levels to Saudi Electric Company (SEC)
for stabilization of the country’s 60-Hertz power transmission network. The parallel
compensation systems will be deployed at three sites in the Hiteen, Qassim and Afif
substations and are scheduled to be ready for operation between mid-2011 and early 2012.
“We are pleased that our field-proven technology will be deployed to stabilize the Saudi
power transmission network,“ said Udo Niehage, CEO of the Power Transmission Division
of Siemens Energy. The three systems ordered are intended for the 380-kV, 132-kV and 33kV voltage levels and will have a dynamic compensation capacity of as much as 800 MVAr.
Reactive-power compensation systems compensate voltage and load fluctuations in high-voltage
transmission networks and thus ensure stable operation. As a result of the increasing power
demand in Saudi Arabia the local grid will be exposed to higher loadings and this will make it
necessary to implement additional measures for grid stabilization.
The thyristor valves of Siemens SVC systems are equipped with direct light-triggered thyristors,
which ensure enhanced reliability. The control system for the SVC systems is based on Simatic
TDC, the field-proven multiprocessor automation system, which is deployed in particular in large
systems for process, energy and drive technology.
Static reactive-power compensators with dynamic control are part of FACTS (Flexible Alternating
Current Transmission Systems) technology. Siemens’ FACTS systems control the parameters,
which dictate the operation of a power supply network and thus the quality of power transmission.
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Siemens AG
Corporate Communications and Government Affairs
Wittelsbacherplatz 2, 80333 Munich
Germany
Reference number: EPT201003.053e
Media Relations: Torsten Wolf
Telephone: +49 9131 18-82532
E-mail: torsten.tw.wolf@siemens.com
Siemens AG
Energy Sector - Power Transmission Division
Freyeslebenstr. 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
These parameters include transmission impedances, currents, voltages and phase angles between
the different system nodes.
With reactive-power compensation a distinction is made between parallel and serial compensation:
serial compensation systems are capacitor banks inserted in the high-voltage cable run – possibly
in combination with thyristor-controlled reactors (TCRs). This fixed or variable serial impedance
reduces the transmission angle so that higher active power can be transmitted without
endangering grid stability. With parallel compensation a variable reactive power source feeds into a
selected grid point via a transformer. This is where the required reactive power is generated to
keep the voltage constant. Grid voltage may be subject to undesirable fluctuations as a result of
load rejection or grid faults such as short circuits, which have to be quickly compensated. This is
the task fulfilled by static Var compensators (SVCs) within a power range previously matched to
the grid in question. These systems are therefore always specially customized solutions.
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions
for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas.
In fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR25.8 billion and received
new orders totaling approximately EUR30 billion and posted a profit of EUR3.3 billion. On September 30, 2009, the
Energy Sector had a work force of more than 85,100. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.
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Siemens AG
Corporate Communications and Government Affairs
Wittelsbacherplatz 2, 80333 Munich
Germany
Reference number: EPT201003.053e
Media Relations: Torsten Wolf
Telephone: +49 9131 18-82532
E-mail: torsten.tw.wolf@siemens.com
Siemens AG
Energy Sector - Power Transmission Division
Freyeslebenstr. 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany