ABB won an order worth around $90 million from American Transmission Co. to supply a power solution that will help control the flow of power and enhance grid stability in Michigan.
The project comes just as a survey in the high-price state found strong backing for infrastructure improvements.
ABB 's low-loss, high-voltage direct current technology (HVDC) will control the power flow between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and provide dynamic voltage support, ABB explained. It added that the new technology will, in turn, increase regional grid reliability and enable integration of additional wind generation.
The link is scheduled to go into operation in mid-2014, the company said.
ABB said it "will design, supply and install a 200 megawatt (MW) back-to-back HVDC Light station in Upper Michigan." That facility, the Zurich-based company explained, "comprises two converters connected directly to each other, without any DC transmission line, making it possible to fully control the power transfer through the connection."
