SmartValve™
Advanced power flow control
SmartValve™ is an advanced power flow control (APFC) solution that quickly solves grid bottlenecks and other grid issues to create extra capacity and support optimized 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 synthesize a capacitive (- Ωs) or inductive (+ Ωs) reactance. This means it can push power off overloaded lines or pull power onto underutilized lines. SmartValve also provides dynamic services including improving voltage stability and transient stability.
Solving critical grid challenges
SmartValve unlocks grid capacity within 12 – 18 months, enabling faster connection of new generation and demand, and also avoiding uneconomic dispatch of existing generation sites which reduces the cost of electricity for consumers. The fast delivery timeframe means that SmartValve projects often deliver benefits for several years while other solutions would still have been in permitting or under construction.
SmartValve can be rapidly deployed to address urgent grid issues with the flexibility to adjust or relocate the solution as the system needs evolve over time. This means SmartValve solutions can be right-sized for the present need and scaled up or down in later years, ensuring efficient investment decisions.
SmartValves help avoid congestion or other grid issues caused by a line or other grid asset being out-of-service as part of a planned or unplanned outage. It can also be used to facilitate extended outage windows and deliver projects faster with minimum congestion or constraint costs, while also maintaining system reliability.
SmartValves can be used to control power flows to utilize ageing grid equipment until it reaches its end of asset life. This also means that capital investment decisions for new infrastructure can be deferred until there is more certainty on the future system need.
SmartValve helps to ensure full utilization of new infrastructure by ensuring optimized use of the surrounding network. SmartValve can also be used to resolve temporary issues while new infrastructure is being permitted or built.
Next generation of power flow control
Power flow control solutions have evolved significantly since series reactors and series capacitors were first deployed in the 1920s. Phase Shifting Transformers were later developed, followed by the emergence of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) in the 1980s. FACTS refers to static power-electronics devices that were developed to increase power transfer capability, stability, and controllability of AC transmission networks through series and/or shunt compensation. Harnessing the power of silicon and software, SmartValve is a modular Static Synchronous Series Compensator (m-SSSC) that was first deployed in 2016, paving the way forward for series-connected FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems).
Previous SSSC technologies required custom designs, series injection transformers, water cooling across a high-voltage gradient, circuit breaker bypass protection, and considerable substation space – all driving significant solution cost. SmartValve leverages patented innovations such as sealed cooling systems at line potential and integrated fast-acting semiconductor switch bypass, to provide a superior modular SSSC solution that has high reliability, no single point of failure, significant operational and deployment flexibility, and multiple network applications. Over the past decade, we have been continuously innovating at our state-of-the-art R&D lab to refine our technology, and SmartValve is now deployed at scale across four continents.
The SmartValve difference
- Multiple network applications including power flow control and dynamic services
- Transformerless device that employs VSC technology
- Integrated fast-acting bypass
- Voltage agnostic
- Modular design enables flexible, scalable and movable deployments
- High reliability and redundancy
- Built for rapid delivery and deployment
- No single point of failure
- Automated and manual control modes available
- Short-term and long-term solution
- Available in two models depending on the maximum continuous current rating required
Global projects delivering huge impact today
Our customers around the world are using SmartValves to unlock over 3.5 Gigawatts grid capacity—enough to power over 2.5 million homes—supporting the faster integration of clean energy and new demand, enhancing security of supply and delivering cost savings to consumers.
Accelerating wind energy integration
- SmartValves installed at 275 kV and 400 kV
- Reduce grid congestion across network boundaries
- Multiple distributed deployments across five circuits
- 2 GW capacity unlocked across three boundaries
- £387 M savings for consumers due to reduction in constraint costs
Increasing transfer capacity between states
- SmartValves installed at 330 kV
- Reduces congestion on interconnector
- Avoided need to build new line or upgrade existing line
- Deployments at two substations work in tandem, one installation in PULL mode and the other in PUSH mode
- 170 MW of additional capacity on interconnector
- AUD $268 M savings for consumers due to more renewable energy flowing between states
Enabling reliable connection of renewable energy
- SmartValves installed at 220 kV
- Resolving congestion to support reliable connection of renewables in La Guajira
- Future-proofed flexible solution
- 200 MW of extra capacity unlocked
- Delivers cost savings and lower tariffs for consumers
- Improves reliability and security of supply
Integrating SmartValve into your network planning
Our global team of power system engineers provide a range of advisory services to our customers, including guidance on modelling SmartValve in network planning software, conducting studies for generation and load connections, power system planning, and technology integration.
SmartValve models for the following network planning software are readily available, and our team can also work directly with you to model SmartValve in additional platforms:
- PowerFactory
- INTEGRAL
- Organon
- ASPEN
- MATLAB®/Simulink®
- PSCAD™/EMTDC
- PSLF
- PSS®E
- RSCAD/RTDS
- TSAT
- PowerWorld
- NEPLAN
Optimizing use of available space
SmartValve is designed to be a modular device that can be easily deployed in a range of different configurations to meet the evolving needs of grid operators. Our expert engineers work closely with our customers to identify the optimal deployment layout for the specific site, taking into account not just today’s need, but also future needs. In this way, more SmartValves can be easily added in the future if the network need increases. This may include leaving space for additional SmartValves or the option to ‘double-stack’ which essentially means that two SmartValves can be deployed in the same footprint as one.
As deployments can be distributed along a circuit this adds another layer of flexibility as a large space is not necessarily needed even for large deployments.
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