Smart Wires
Creating a Dynamic Grid

Smart Wires announces new project to strengthen supply of electricity in Central America

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

DURHAM, N.C.: Smart Wires has announced a new project that uses modular power flow control technology—SmartValve™—to resolve grid congestion and strengthen security of supply in an area of Central America. The project will start delivering benefits to the system operator, consumers, businesses, and electricity market participants in 2024.

Increasing demand for clean, reliable, affordable electricity is putting pressure on the existing grid in many countries in Central America. This challenge is further heightened as the region moves to decrease dependency on fossil fuels by developing renewable energy projects in new locations, to replace the generation provided by existing power plants. This results in huge shifts in power flow patterns across the grid, creating bottlenecks which can limit the flow of electricity even when spare capacity exists.

In one case, overloads on several transmission circuits were projected to limit power flows nationally and across the interconnected power grids of the six countries in Central America (SIEPAC). Multiple network reinforcement options were considered but ultimately modular power flow control technology—SmartValve—was selected as the optimal solution as it can quickly and cost-effectively resolve overloads to unlock capacity on the existing grid and strengthen security of supply.

“We are delighted to announce this exciting new project in Central America which will enable greater power flows across the region,” said Jessica Joyce, Smart Wires Chief Commercial Officer. “It builds on the strong global momentum of utilities using modular power flow control to get the most out of their transmission systems and ultimately transform their grids.”

SmartValve paves the way forward for series–connected FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems) by providing a modular, digital, and future-proofed technology. It is already used by system operators across the world—including Australia, Europe, the U.S. and Colombia—but this project marks the first series-connected FACTS deployment in Central America.

Smart Wires delivers second project with ISA TRANSELCA

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Smart Wires has announced the delivery of a second large scale project with ISA TRANSELCA in the Atlántico region of Colombia. This latest deployment installs Smart Wires’ advanced power flow control (APFC) solution – SmartValveTM – across five 220 kV circuits, unlocking over 300 MW of additional transmission capacity in 2024. The project supports the firm connection of renewable energy sources that are being built in the area.

The Atlántico region is set to experience substantial growth in electricity demand, with 1.5 GW of wind and solar generation already approved for connection. This is significantly increasing power flows on transmission circuits in the area and was predicted to cause overloads on multiple circuits, especially in contingency scenarios (N-1).

ISA TRANSELCA proposed deploying SmartValves to resolve congestion on five 220 kV circuits. The national planning agency, UPME, selected Smart Wires’ APFC solution as the preferred option and included it in the national expansion plan.

SmartValve is an advanced power flow control (APFC) solution that quickly solves grid bottlenecks and other grid issues to create extra capacity and support optimised use of the existing grid. It is a patented, award-winning, single-phase, modular static synchronous series compensator (m-SSSC) that injects a voltage in quadrature with the line current to synthesise a capacitive (- ?s) or inductive (+ ?s) reactance. This means it can push power off overloaded lines or pull power onto underutilised lines.

SmartValve provided a faster lead time and avoided lengthy permitting and disruption to communities associated with alternative network options. Its modular nature also provides ISA TRANSELCA with the flexibility to adapt the solution over time as system needs evolve.

By deploying SmartValves across five circuits at two sites to push power off overloaded circuits and onto circuits with spare capacity, ISA TRANSELCA can unlock over 300 MW of extra capacity on the existing grid to support the connection of new renewable energy generation and improve the utilisation of capacity on new infrastructure in the area.

“Our collaboration with ISA TRANSELCA exemplifies how strategic investments in APFC can optimise grid capabilities and expedite the adoption of renewable energy,” said Joaquin Peirano, General Manager for the Americas at Smart Wires. “Following the successful completion of the CO-COST project last year, this new project leverages our partnership to bring reliable, scalable solutions to address the challenges of modern energy distribution.”

As part of the project the SmartValves at the Nueva Barranquilla substation are uniquely housed indoors to provide a durable solution in a highly corrosive environment caused by proximity to heavy industry and the sea. This indoor deployment is made possible due to the flexibility of SmartValve, which means that the layout can be optimised for the space available.

Smart Wires has been active in Colombia for the past five years, starting with a pilot project with Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) in 2021 and followed by multiple large scale projects with EPM, Enlaza-GEB, and ISA TRANSELCA. These projects have already helped unlock over 1.2 GW of firm transmission capacity, improving access to clean, reliable, affordable electricity for consumers across Colombia.