Upper North Island Reactive Support Investigation
Overview
What we're doing
In the Upper North Island (Auckland and Northland regions), loss of particular elements of the power system (contingencies) can cause voltage control problems in the region. The worst contingencies include the loss of the:
- Otahuhu Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) generator;
- Huntly E3P generator (Unit 5); or
- 220 kV Otahuhu–Takanini–Huntly 2 circuit
Transpower is investigating installation of additional reactive support equipment in the Upper North Island to help support voltage during outages.
Why we're doing it
The additional reactive support equipment is likely to be a combination of static support, such as shunt capacitors, and dynamic support, such as synchronous condensers, static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), and static var compensators (SVCs).
This solution (in conjunction with the North Island Grid Upgrade Project) is expected to relieve the existing voltage stability issues in the Upper North Island for several years. The new transmission line between Whakamaru and Pakuranga, with a scheduled commissioning date of 2012, is likely to reduce the need for static support, but will not significantly reduce the need for dynamic support.
Project Status
Transpower will seek approval from the Commission for the project in the first quarter of 2010. Transpower’s project reference is UPNI_REA_SUP_DEV_02.
- Project Reference:
UPNI_REA_SUP_DEV_02 - Region:
Backbone - Status:
Under Consultation - Cost Bracket:
F "$100 - $300 million" - Timing:
2012
