Electricity and Control June 2021

TRANSFORMERS, SUBSTATIONS + CABLES : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Advanced power quality analysis

using a wireless connection to view data directly in the field, they reduce the need for users to suit-up in PPE.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids has commissioned a 500 kV - 1 400 MVAr series capacitor bank, one of the largest in the world, for Minnesota Power’s Great Northern Trans- mission Line project, helping to ensure the delivery of more clean hydropower from Manitoba in Canada to its customers in northeastern Minnesota. By enhancing the transfer capability and reliability of the transmission con- nection between Manitoba and Minnesota, the project re- inforces Minnesota Power’s commitment to move rapidly towards an emission-free energy system. This deployment of a major 500 kV transmission line stretching between Winnipeg, Manitoba and Grand Rapids, Minnesota, highlights the progress of Minnesota Power’s ‘EnergyForward’ strategy to transition to cleaner energy sources while meeting customer expectations for Comtest has available the Fluke range of Three-Phase Power Quality Loggers – 1742, 1746 and 1748 – which give users fast, easy access to the data they need to make critical power quality and energy decisions in real- time. Compact and rugged, the Three-Phase Power Quality Loggers are designed specifically for technicians and engineers who need the flexibility to troubleshoot, quantify energy usage and analyse power distribution systems. They are fully compliant with international power quality standards such as IEC 61000‑4‑30 and can simultaneously log up to 500 parameters while also capturing events. The Fluke 1740 Series helps uncover intermittent and hard-to-find power quality issues easily. The included Energy Analyse Plus software quickly assesses the quality of power at the service entrance, substation, or at the load, according to national and international standards like EN 50160 and IEEE 519. An optimised user interface, flexible current probes, and an intelligent measurement verification function allow for digital verification, and correct connections make setup easier, reducing measurement uncertainty considerably. The devices also allow users to minimise time spent in potentially hazardous environments and, by

Measuring power quality and power parameters The Fluke 1748 logs over 500 different parameters for each averaging period. This allows for the analysis of power quality in detail and the correlation of intermittent events with detailed waveform data, helping to identify the root cause of disturbances. For basic power quality logging, the Fluke 1746 captures all relevant power pa- rameters to perform energy saving studies and electrical network planning with a full upgrade option to 1748 avail- able. For simple load and energy studies the Fluke 1742 offers optimal performance in a rugged package and can be upgraded to 1746 or complete 1748 functionality. Current harmonics limits When downloading data from the Fluke 1748 Power Quality Loggers, Energy Analyze Plus can calculate the limits of current harmonics based on installation param- eters to predict overload of the grid in line with a wide range of international standards. This powerful predictive maintenance feature enables users to observe current harmonics before distortion appears in the voltage, so they can prevent unexpected failures or non-compliance situations and increase system uptime. For more information contact Comtest. Tel: +27 (0)10 595 1821 Email: sales@comtest.co.za, visit: www.comtest.co.za said: “This project represents an important contribution to the development of our Great Northern Transmission Line project, part of an innovative delivery and storage system that is enabling us to deliver 50 percent renewable energy to our customers. Hitachi ABB Power Grids has been a valuable partner in support of our EnergyForward strategy to shift towards carbon-free power.” “This collaboration with Minnesota Power demon- strates our continuous commitment to help our custom- ers bring renewable electricity to their local markets,” said Anthony Allard, Head of North America, Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “As we transition toward electricity as the backbone of the energy system, the smooth transmis- sion of renewable power between regions and across borders will be increasingly critical.” By enabling Minnesota Power to increase the percent- age of power it delivers to customers from carbon-free sources while enhancing the reliability and transfer ca- pability of the transmission system, this project aligns with Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ commitment to enabling stronger, smarter and greener grids.

Fluke’s 1740 series of power quality loggers enables

engineers and technicians to quantify energy

usage and analyse power distribution systems efficiently.

Clean, affordable hydropower to Upper Midwest USA

The new series capacitor bank is one of the largest in the world.

a reliable, stable, and affordable electricity supply. In late 2020, the company became the first utility in the state of Minnesota to deliver 50% renewable energy to its cus- tomers and aims to achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2050. Josh Skelton, Minnesota Power Chief Operating Officer,

For more information visit: www.hitachiabb-powergrids.com

28 Electricity + Control JUNE 2021