ABB has announced two major orders for two of its leading product lines, with a $63 million ultrahigh-voltage transformer installation on the Nuozhadu-Guangdong transmission system in China and for a Chilean mining company in the Atacama desert.
The transform installation will support the growing grid needs of China Southern Power Grid Company, one of the leading firms in the region, and will utilize 800 kV UHVDC transformers for a converter station that will allow the country to continue growing infrastructure far from the actual sites of power usage. ABB argues that the increased automation and efficiency will allow the CSPD to focus on other needs once the installation is complete thanks to long lifecycle estimates.
We are pleased to continue supporting China s efforts in further developing its power transmission and distribution network, said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB s Power Products division.
The move also enables China to increase the usage of renewable energy sources thanks to switching technology, enabling non-constant power generation to be utilized safely among high-need areas.
It also announced a $47 million order for gearless mill drives and electrical systems for Codelco in Chile, for use in the new Mina Ministro open-pit copper mine set to open in 2013 near Calama.
The ore-crushing system includes three separate key components, a 12 megawatt system and two 8.9 subsystems, as well as ancillary switchgear and other related components.
ABB pioneered the development of gearless mill drives that address the production challenges faced by mine operators, noted Veli-Matti Reinikkala (pictured), head of ABB s Process Automation division. Reinikkala went on to say that the new systems to be installed will enable more efficient processing of ore due to the automation systems included.
