Alstom and Ampacimon join forces to help electric utilities operate closer to the limits of their grids

8 April 2013 - Alstom and Ampacimon have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly deliver electric utility solutions to safely increase the power flowing through existing overhead lines of the grid, unlocking additional capacity previously unavailable. 

The agreement provides a framework for combining Alstom Grids market leading
e-terra 3.0 suite of control room software solutions  with Ampacimons Dynamic Line Rating[1] technology, thereby enabling operators to safely increase the usable capacity[2] of their transmission grid. By monitoring their overhead lines in real-time, operators will increase visibility of their networks to help increase load while at the same time prevent overloading and detect line issues, such as icing. 

Our e-terra 3.0 solutions address the demanding requirements of the Smart Grid transformation by increasing grid operators capabilities to manage the variability of renewable energy resources, while maintaining reliability. Accessing Ampacimons DLR data brings valuable information to the fingertips of grid operators helping them to monitor the finer limits of their networks and utilize the untapped capacity, said Karim El-Naggar, Vice President Network Management Systems at Alstom Grid said. 

Our DLR technology paired with Alstoms leading control room software is a breakthrough for AC (alternating current) networks. Monitoring and forecasting the real behaviour of overhead lines and using this input in advanced network management tools will significantly increase the efficiency of the network assets and further improve security of supply, said Peter Schell, General Director, Ampacimon. 

Ampacimons system uses autonomous Vibration Monitors[3] to acquire data on the actual behaviour of the overhead lines, measuring sag as well as actual ambient condition to determine the maximum allowable load and also detect icing. This data is then transmitted to Alstom Grids e-terraplatform 3.0 energy management system at the dispatching control centre where it is incorporated into the operators network view. Ampacimons unique DLR system does not require any set parameters and is not calibrated to a specific type of line, making it reliable for both new and existing transmission lines from 63 kV to 765 kV. The system provides real-time ratings & sag as well as forecasted values up to several days ahead. 

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, 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 92,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of 20 billion and booked close to 22 billion in orders in 2011/12. 

Alstom Grid has 130 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 19,000 employees and around 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. 

Websites: www.alstom.com, www.alstom.com/grid

About Ampacimon

The Ampacimon system was developed at the University of Liège in Belgium where the teams of Professor Jean-Louis Lilien (Department of Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Energy) and Professor Jacques Destiné (Department of Microsystems) collaborated on research focused on overhead line monitoring. Patent number US 8,184,015 B2. Ampacimon has completed several pilots at key Transmission Operators in Europe including ELIA and RTE. Ampacimon is headquartered at the Liege Sciences Park, Liege, Belgium.  

Website: www.ampacimon.com 

Press contacts: 

Alstom

Nathalie Bourotte - Tel: +33 1 49 01 62 17 - nathalie.bourotte@alstom.com

Ampacimon

Peter Schell - Tel: +32 477 59 65 87 - Peter.Schell@ampacimon.com

[1] Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), also called Real-time Thermal Rating

[2] Ampere capacity, or ampacity, is the current-carrying capacity, expressed in amperes, of a wire or cable under stated thermal conditions. Ampere capacity measures how much current a cable can take without its internal temperature exceeding the design limit and the conductor exceeding minimal clearance requirements.

[3] Ampacimons Vibration Monitors are used to determine the fundamental frequencies of the conductors motion. Sag being directly related to the fundamental frequency, as is the sound of a violin string to the length and tension of that string.

• Transmission