ABB to upgrade Copel’s hydroelectric power plant in Brazil. Credit: ABB.

ABB has secured a contract worth $2.5m to upgrade Companhia Paranaense de Energia’s (Copel) 1,240MW Governador José Richa hydropower plant in Brazil.

The company will provide excitation systems and speed regulation for four generator units at the hydropower plant, which is located in the State of Paraná.

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ABB’s Unitrol 6000 Static Excitation System (SES) is equipped with a controller. With modern hardware, the Unitrol 6000 control loop will be able to react faster to grid disturbances.

It also comprises of two separate channels and an additional backup channel. Each channel is capable of handling the maximum field current. The new system includes a speed turbine regulator and is in line with the grid code compliance regulations.

Located on the Iguazu River, the Governador José Richa hydropower plant can generate enough electricity to meet the requirements of nearly 4.5 million residents in the State of Paraná.

ABB Brazil Industrial Automation head Maurício Cunha said: “The upgrade of the excitation system and the turbine speed regulators and their integration into the ABB Ability 800xA automation system will improve the performance and reliability of this hydroelectric power plant.”

Copel owns 46 power plants and also operates a quota of hydroelectric power plants. Additionally, the company has a stake in 11 other generation projects that have an installed capacity of 6,394MW.

Copel GeT Power Generation chief Jaime de Oliveira Kuhn said: “Modernisation aims to increase operational efficiency in the power plant, which is a strategic goal of Copel Kuhn.

“After 20 years of operations and a total of more than 130 million of MWh generated, it was time to modernise the Governador José Richa power plant to ensure its high performance and reliability levels continue.”