ABB Inc. (Zurich, Switzerland) announced that it has won a $93.0 million order to refurbish a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system, which will increase the reliability of electricity supply in California. Under the terms of the contract awarded by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, ABB will design, manufacture and install a 3,100MW system to overhaul the current installation located at Sylmar near Los Angeles. ABB will deliver new converter transformers, HVDC thyristor valves, and control and protection equipment.
The current system, one of two major electricity interconnections linking Southern California to the Northwestern US, is now reaching the end of its operational life, and was damaged by an earthquake in 1994. The system is critical for the reliable transmission of power from hydro-power plants in Oregon to the Los Angeles area. The installation is to be completed in 30 months and will combine new, state-of-the-art, seismic-resistant, transmission materials with existing equipment.
