Major North American Energy Firm Adopts AMSC's Static VAR Compensator Solution
The SVC systems will be deployed on an oil pipline that utilizes motors rated at 4,000 to 5,000 horsepower in its pumping stations to transport more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Starting motors of this size often causes momentary voltage drops that can shut the pipeline down and can cause power disturbances for other customers connected to the local power grid. As a result, oil and natural gas pipeline operators are often required to site pumping stations in very remote locations on the electric power system.
AMSC's SVC solutions eliminate voltage sags and flicker, giving electric utility companies and manufacturing operations a cost-effective way to safely connect large electrical loads to the local power grid. AMSC's SVC solution was selected to improve the performance of this oil pipeline because of its unique ability to increase siting flexibility, enhance pipeline throughput with larger motors and improve pump station uptime in remote locations with severe climates.
"Reliable, high-quality electric power is critical to the operation of oil and gas pipelines," said Timothy Poor, AMSC's Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development. "Our compact SVC allows pipeline operators the freedom to place large motors where required, avoid voltage sags and flicker and improve overall pipeline operating reliability. This technology requires minimal maintenance and is capable of operating in areas with extreme temperature conditions, making it ideal for the remote locations where oil and gas pipelines are typically sited."
AMSC's distribution voltage SVC systems are highly portable, modular and can be field-modified, thereby reducing the costs normally associated with upgrades. They routinely solve problems caused by starting large motors, metal shredders and crushers, sawmills, pump or pipeline stations, shipyards, coal mines, feed plants or kindred processes. AMSC's SVC systems also solve arc furnace flicker problems and are utilized to stabilize power transmission grids.
AMSC added its family of Static VAR Compensator (SVC) solutions to its product suite through the acquisition of Pennsylvania-based Power Quality Systems, Inc. (PQS) in 2007. Combining PQS's proprietary thyristor switch technology with AMSC's advanced power grid interface and controls technology created a highly scalable SVC solution that is being utilized by electric utilities at both distribution and transmission voltages. In addition to distribution-level SVCs, AMSC offers turnkey transmission-level SVC solutions that are able to handle several hundred megaVAR of reactive compensation for wide-area voltage stability. AMSC also offers a pad-mounted, distribution-level Static VAR Compensator solution (dSVC) specifically designed for use on electric utilities' underground distribution circuits.
For more information about AMSC's SVC solutions, visit: http://www.amsc.com/products/powerQuality/index.cfm.
About American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC)
AMSC is a leading energy technologies company offering an array of solutions based on two proprietary technologies: programmable power electronic converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. The company's products, services and system-level solutions enable cleaner, more efficient and more reliable generation, delivery and use of electric power. AMSC is a leader in alternative energy, offering grid interconnection solutions as well as licensed wind energy designs and electrical systems. As the world's principal supplier of HTS wire, the company is enabling a new generation of compact, high-power electrical products, including power cables, grid-level surge protectors, Secure Super Grids technology, motors, generators, and advanced transportation and defense systems. AMSC also provides utility and industrial customers worldwide with voltage regulation systems that dramatically enhance power grid capacity, reliability and security, as well as industrial productivity. The company's technologies are protected by a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio consisting of hundreds of patents and licenses worldwide. More information is available at www.amsc.com.
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SOURCE: American Superconductor Corporation
American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC) Jason Fredette, 978-842-3177 Director of Investor & Media Relations jfredette@amsc.com
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