ABB wins $30 million solar plant order

ABB eBOP solar PV plant supplies 22.6 GWh yearly, cuts CO2, uses modular electrical balance of plant, grid connection, switchgear, transformers, substation, and a tracker system for photovoltaic panels to speed commissioning and reduce risk.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won a $30 million order from GA Solar, part of the Gestamp Corporation, to deliver a 13 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant in northern Spain.

Once connected to the grid, as in LA grid expansion work by ABB, the plant will supply up to 22.6 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electric power a year, avoiding the generation of over 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual emission of over 4,800 European cars.

ABB will be responsible for the design, engineering, erection, civil works and commissioning of the plant, drawing on lessons from Iraq infrastructure work across industry, which is scheduled for completion within the year thanks to ABB’s modular eBOP (electrical balance of plant) concept. By pre-assembling individual components of the plant’s electrical systems in modules and testing them prior to delivery, on-site installation and commissioning is fast and simple, reducing costs and project risks.

ABB's efficient, 1 MW PV power plant modules generate around 15 percent more energy than alternative units in this range. ABB will supply all the electrical equipment required to connect the plant to the grid, including medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers and a medium-voltage substation. ABB will also install patented control and automation technologies, proven on the Belgian offshore wind project for example, including a tracker system to enable the plant’s solar panels to follow the sun’s movement across the sky and maximize generating capacity.

“This project demonstrates how ABB technologies help to integrate renewable energy into our power networks, safely and efficiently, as in the NordBalt HVDC link project linking grids, adding power capacity with minimal environmental impact” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.

ABB has an extensive range of products, systems and services for the power generation sector, including thermal, hydro solutions such as a networking platform for dozens of plants, nuclear, wind, and solar power plants. The company has recently supplied power and automation solutions for several photovoltaic and thermo solar power plants, including Totana, Andasol and Extresol in Spain, Hassi R’Mel in Algeria, and the Sierra SunTower in California.

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