Alstom Grid to renew control system for key High Voltage Direct Current link in North American electrical network

Alstom Grid has been selected by ATCO Electric, for the replacement and upgrade of control equipment at the McNeill Converter Station near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. The Converter Station houses a 150 MW back-to-back High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link that facilitates the efficient exchange of energy between several important North American electricity networks.

Originally installed in 1989 with Alstom Grid power electronics and control systems, the McNeill HVDC Link has performed continuously and entirely unmanned, ever since. This new contract will replace the now obsolete control equipment with the latest Alstom Grid Series V digital Control System which will improve the performance and will extend the life of the converter station. The Series V control system is an integral element in all Alstom Grid HVDC offers, already successfully implemented in various HVDC converter stations supplied by Alstom worldwide. 

Its a sign of our dedication to quality and expertise in HVDC systems that Alstom Grid has been asked to return by ATCO to the McNeill Converter Station, said Jean Nakache, Vice President Power Electronics Applications for Alstom Grid. We are happy to be able to upgrade a system that has been working efficiently for over 20 years, and see it into the next 20 years of reliable service. Alstom Grid continues to play a major role as an HVDC and power electronics supplier in Canada with many FACTS* and HVDC schemes installed across the country.

Owned and operated by ATCO, the McNeill converter station is dispatched by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) as part of the overall Alberta Interconnected Electric System. It is the northern-most link between the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system and the Midwest Reliability Organization. It assures power to the most remote eastern regions while providing an energy-trading route with neighbouring Saskatchewan.

The McNeill Converter Station control replacement will be delivered by Alstoms HVDC Center of Competence in Stafford, UK and our local Canadian team. Completion is scheduled for mid-2013.

_{* Note to Editors}

FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems): These systems improve the reactive power balance in the network for higher energy efficiency.

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world. It provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids.

The Group employs 92,700 people in 100 countries and had sales of 20.9 billion in 2010/11.

Alstom Grid has over 100 years of expertise in electrical grids. Whether for utilities or electro-intensive industries or facilitating the trading of energy, Alstom Grid brings power to its customers projects. Alstom Grid ranks among the top 3 in electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of more than 4 billion. It has 20,000 employees and over 90 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide.

At the heart of the development of Smart Grid, Alstom Grid offers products, services and integrated energy management solutions across the full energy value chainfrom power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.

Press contacts

Aline Besselièvre: aline.besselievre@alstom.com / Tel: + 33 1 49 01 69 04      

Adam Pratt (U.S. Media Relations): adam.r.pratt@power.alstom.com / Tel: +1-202-351-9322 

Website www.alstom.com - www.alstom.com/grid