Hitachi Energy Chile on robust power grids ahead of Electric Mine 2025
With The Electric Mine 2025 conference set to kick off May 13-15 next week in Centro Parque, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile – we caught up with one of our Gold Sponsors, Hitachi Energy, and put some questions focussed on grid stability, renewables and transformers to Hitachi Energy Chile General Manager Mauricio Mazuela & Cristoffer Fuentealba, Market Manager Transformers, also at Hitachi Energy Chile
Q At The Electric Mine you have a presentation covering grid stabilisation – can you summarise what your capabilities are in this area and to what extent it is already being used in the mining sector in Chile and Peru?
MM: A robust and secure electricity supply is key for developing business, especially if it relies on today’s energy landscape. For interconnecting grids that procure a high demand of instantaneous power in combination with various types of dynamic loads, power quality solutions are at the cornerstone of the reliability of the whole power system. We, at Hitachi Energy, possess great experience in providing grid stabilising solutions to many customers across the world, both in the utility and industry sectors. These solutions are constituted with cutting-edge technology that not only improves the quality and robustness of their consumed power but also improves the efficiency of their industrial processes. Moreover, today’s emerging energy market, particularly in the LATAM region, is in need of a reliable grid and energy supply, especially when industry grows faster than electricity infrastructure. We have key successes in Chile, for example, that mining location enjoy a stable grid thanks to the use of our SVC-Light technology (STATCOM). In addition, this growing trend is also seen today in the many customers in the mining sector that are curious about new solutions for grid stability. We are in exciting times where we see an enhancement of our power system, in combination with the inclusion of non-synchronous inverter-based resources (IBR) to accommodate an increasing demand. In this changing scenario, Hitachi Energy has been at the forefront not only in the innovation and development of power quality solutions, but also in bringing it to our customers in a competitive way.
Hitachi Energy Chile General Manager Mauricio Mazuela
Q You also have a comprehensive renewable offering in terms of power management and integration – Chile is a world leader in renewables for mining especially solar – what are the challenges for mines bringing renewables into the mix whether from captive sources or grid renewables and how does Hitachi Energy bring stability here?
MM: One of the many challenges that the industry is facing today is the fact that non-synchronous generation is increasing, while synchronous generation is stalled. Particularly with solar and wind, these two IBR are not necessarily being operated with the aim of preserving the stability of the grid, mainly because of regulatory issues. Although grid forming (GFM) technologies are being used more and more, we are starting to see the limitations that exist today in the existing grid following (GFL) IBRs. In our electricity grid, for example, the increasing lack of inertia can lead to power oscillations between synchronous areas such as the one experienced in Spain quite recently, down to a complete blackout such as the one in February this year. Furthermore, to avoid this erratic behaviour, it is vital that our grid codes are strengthened, particularly in the technical requirement for synthetic inertia, short circuit contribution, and to enforce actions to maintain voltage and frequency stability to all new generators and loads. In general, the responsibility of maintaining a good standard of power quality relies on all agents acting in the power system. Finally, power quality issues can be tackled with our state-of-the-art technology available in our power quality portfolio. It is key to mention that different solutions solve different power quality aspects, eg voltage stability, frequency stability, grid strength, etc. In each case and with any customer, being this utility or industry, at generation, transmission, distribution stage, regulatory boards or simply the end-user, it is always important to understand and evidence the problem that needs to be solved. At Hitachi Energy we not only can assist our customers with this analysis but also can provide the right solution for every particular need.
Hitachi Energy EconiQ® transformers
Q What role do generators and transformers play in ensuring operational continuity during emergencies or power outages in remote areas?
CF: Transformers are key to ensuring the flow of power in any country’s grid. They enable transmission, adjusting the correct voltage levels for use at end-use consumption points. The transformer is a machine that uses the inductive principle to control the different voltage levels, which decrease as we approach the end consumer, even in the most remote areas. Additionally, being able to transmit power at different voltage levels allows for controlling losses generated not only by equipment such as the transformer, but also by transmission lines. This means that a transformer has the ability to help maintain an efficient and reliable electrical grid, with the goal of avoiding interruptions in the power supply. Furthermore, our transformers are manufactured to the highest industry standards, with top-quality materials and accessories, in addition to a robust electrical and mechanical design.
Q How has the incorporation of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), SCADA systems, and other recent digital tools optimised the operation of electrical generators and transformers in surface mining or other industries?
CF: Having digital systems, online monitoring equipment, and artificial intelligence in transformers ensure their proper functioning and operation. Production segments such as mining and industrial industries require a dynamic network that can vary depending on the production cycles of these industries. Therefore, these digital technologies allow for an adaptive response to operating modes, reducing the risk of failure in critical equipment based on online information. This means that the operator has access to all the transformer’s main variables in real time for efficient and safe management based on operating conditions. This also allows for reduced maintenance periods and lower OPEX. Hitachi Energy currently has a significant installed base with this digital technology in its transformers.
Cristoffer Fuentealba, Market Manager Transformers, Hitachi Energy Chile
Q What innovations or trends are shaping the development and use of generators and transformers in industrial contexts such as mining, energy, manufacturing, construction, and others? Are these advances geared toward energy efficiency or environmental sustainability?
CF: Primarily, innovation efforts are focused on improving equipment reliability. This means that, in the case of transformers, they are able to withstand the stresses and demands encountered in power transmission networks by the loads to which they are connected. These include voltage transients, harmonics that affect power quality, and so on. For this, technologies have been integrated into the transformers that ensure proper operation for this segment. On the other hand, innovation processes have also made it possible to find raw materials and resources that are used in the manufacturing of transformers, which are sustainable with the environment in which they work, that is, they represent materials that have a lower carbon footprint. Among these materials we can see natural ester-type oils, recycled steel and copper, and accessories that have a much longer useful life expectancy. Finally, the design and manufacturing of transformers follows the United Nations’ sustainability and efficiency goals, which define minimum loss levels that allow for efficient transformer solutions. This contributes to a safer and better world and helps the country meet its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
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