Overcoming space constraints in Singapore
with indoor and underground substations
Singapore, Sep 17, 2015 – Compact gas-insulated switchgear technology
enables substations to “hide” in the city, while boosting transmission
capacity and enhancing grid reliability.
Singapore is the second smallest country in Asia, with over five million people living on just 710 square
kilometers. Modest in geographical size but an economic powerhouse, the city is one of the most densely
populated metropolises in the world. Singapore’s annual electricity consumption is estimated at around 43
billion kilowatt hours and is expected to rise at over three percent per year over the next five years.
Singapore’s electricity network is one of the best performing power systems with the least and shortest
electricity outages in the world. SP PowerGrid, a member of Singapore Power Group, manages this network,
reliably and efficiently supplying energy to industrial, commercial and residential customers.
One of SP PowerGrid’s major challenges is to find space for the electrical substations needed to meet
Singapore’s growing demand for power – for this is a city where transmission towers or overhead lines are
nowhere in sight. The uniqueness of Singapore’s power system is that the transmission and distribution grid is
fully hidden underground. This is made possible by urban substation solutions utilizing GIS technology, which
supply power for the city to thrive on while overcoming space constraints and maintaining the aesthetics of the
cityscape.
Network renewal for greater reliability
To address the increasing electricity demand, six new turnkey substations utilizing ABB’s compact 66-kilovolt
(kV) GIS technology will be constructed across the island, including an underground substation. ABB will
design, supply, install, test and commission the substations which include ELK-04 type GIS, IEC 61850
compliant automation, control and protection, and ancillary equipment.
The scope also includes replacement of aging equipment as part of the network renewal program for existing
substations to cater for the increased peak demand, especially in commercial districts. Scheduled for
completion in 2017, the substations will enhance grid reliability and mitigate transmission congestion.
Compact GIS technology enables a footprint reduction of up to 70 percent in the space occupied by a
substation compared to conventional air-insulated switchgear installations. When deployed as an underground
substation, up to 98 percent of the installation’s volume can be hidden underground. These innovative and
proven indoor and underground solutions enable the most stringent requirements for power supply within
urban areas to be fully met while allowing for easy maintenance access and future expansions.
ABB has been providing turnkey GIS substation solutions to SP PowerGrid since the 1970s. These include
Singapore’s first 400/230 kV substations and numerous key high voltage installations supplying reliable power
to major industrial facilities in chemical, water reclamation, refuse incineration, chemical, data center as well as
the popular Sentosa Island resort that attracts more than 20 million visitors annually
ABB provides the most comprehensive portfolio of products, systems, solutions and services along the solar
PV value chain that enable the generation, transmission and distribution of solar power for grid-connected and
microgrid applications. ABB’s offerings include inverters, low-voltage products, monitoring and control
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About ABB
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and
transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The
ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people.
For more information please contact:
ABB in Singapore
Corporate Communications
Timothy Fernandez
Tel: +65 6908 7027
timothy.fernandez@sg.abb.com
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