Hitachi Energy selected as technology partner for the world’s longest AC power-from-shore project in Norway

World-first solution will combine two power quality technologies to deliver renewable energy reliably and safely from the mainland power grid

Zurich, Switzerland, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, the global technology and market leader in power grids, announced today that it has been selected by Aker BP, the Norwegian oil and gas exploration and production company, as technology partner for the NOAKA power-from-shore project off the Norwegian coast. The entire project will be powered by up to 150 megawatts of power from the mainland grid – making it the world’s longest power-from-shore AC connection at around 250 km.

Hitachi Energy will perform detailed front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for a power quality solution that will enable the Aker BP operated NOA Fulla field and the Equinor operated Krafla field in the North Sea to be powered from the mainland. The contract awarded to Hitachi Energy includes an option to deliver the power quality solution when the FEED studies are completed.

By using power from the mainland grid, which is mainly renewable hydropower,  minimizes NOAKA’s carbon footprint. To ensure the smooth, reliable and safe transmission of electricity to the offshore platforms, Hitachi Energy’s solution combines two power quality technologies that have never been used before for this type of application: a high-performance STATCOM, called SVC Light®, and thyristor-controlled series capacitors. The MACH™ control and protection system, will enable the two technologies to work in harmony as a single synchronized solution. This will be made possible by leveraging Hitachi Energy’s extensive and unique know-how in power quality solutions as well as its domain integration capabilities.

“We are delighted that Aker BP has selected our pioneering power quality solution, enabling this vital energy project to be powered with emission-free renewable energy,” says Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “This world-first solution will also enable progress toward mega-scale offshore renewable power installations, offering viable alternative pathways for connecting power from shore with AC over long distances.”

“Our ambition is to develop the NOAKA area with a minimum carbon footprint and a prerequisite for this is that the fields are supplied with power-from-shore,” says Lars Høier, Senior Vice President and Asset Manager for NOAKA at Aker BP. “We selected Hitachi Energy as our trusted technology partner to provide a reliable and flexible grid connection and power quality solution to secure high reliability in our operations.”

Hitachi Energy’s proposed solution comprises a new grid connection to house the STATCOM, thyristor-controlled series capacitors, shunt reactors and gas-insulated switchgear. The solution will also increase the transmission capacity of an existing 420 kV mainland grid connection with new gas-insulated switchgear and a power transformer. These are all technologies made by Hitachi Energy to secure exceptional levels of grid availability and reliability.

Hitachi Energy: proven track record in long-distance power-from-shore

Hitachi Energy supplied the world’s first long-distance power-from-shore installation in Norway in 2005 using its HVDC Light® high-voltage direct current technology. Since then, Hitachi Energy has supplied four of the five HVDC power-from-shore installations, all of which supply platforms off the Norwegian coast. In December 2021, Hitachi Energy won a contract to supply the most powerful power-from-shore solution in the Middle East and North Africa. The solution will deliver 3,200 MW of low-carbon power to two offshore production clusters, reducing the clusters’ emissions by up to 35 percent.

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

 

 

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Rebecca Bleasdale
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
+41 78643 2613
rebecca.bleasdale@hitachienergy.com

Meinergy Signs Agreement with Huawei on a 1 GW and 500 MWh Project to Facilitate Green Development of Ghana

BARCELONA, Spain, March 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Huawei Digital Power) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Meinergy Technology Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as Meinergy), the leading PV developer in West Africa. Under the agreement, Huawei Digital Power will provide a complete smart PV & energy storage system (ESS) solution for the 1 GW utility-scale PV plant and 500 MWh ESS project developed by Meinergy in Ghana.

Wu Guangwen (CEO – Meinergy), Zhou Wei (Managing Director – Huawei Ghana Representative Office), and Fang Liangzhou (Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer – Huawei Digital Power), attended the signing ceremony.https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760287/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Executives.jpg

To meet the increasing demand for power, diversify energy mix, and accelerate economic development, the government of Ghana has set its strategic goal for renewable energy: Increase the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix to 10%, promote green energy, and make power accessible nationwide by 2030.

Meinergy has been in Ghana for many years, and its business covers mining, electric power, and PV sectors. Against the backdrop of global energy mix transformation, Meinergy has vigorously expanded its renewable energy business in Ghana and other countries in Africa to provide stable green power for local communities and bridge the electric power divide.https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760288/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Solar_Panels.jpg

The two parties have had close cooperation in utility-scale PV plants, integration of PV and hydropower, energy storage, and residential PV in Ghana and have achieved outstanding business results. Both parties expect to further cooperate in PV & ESS plant development, data centers, eLTE, and public cloud to build a greener Africa.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760287/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Executives.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760288/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Solar_Panels.jpg

Ethiopian Ambassador Confers with Chairman of Djibouti Ports, Free Zones

Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye held a meeting with Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority Aboubaker Omer Hadi, at the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone.

The two sides discussed issues of bilateral importance, with a focus on ways to improve the efficient and effective movement of Ethiopia’s cargoes from Djibouti Ports and Free Zones to various parts of Ethiopia.

Following a fruitful discussion on a numerous issues, both have underscored the necessity of speeding up the ongoing construction of the Galamo-Molud asphalt road, which is located in one of the busiest corridor connecting Ethiopia to the ports of Djibouti and currently hosting the lion share of Ethiopia’s seaborne cargo.

Up on completion, the road is sought to ultimately augment the smooth flow of cargoes across the Ethio-Djibouti corridor.

Furthermore, during the meeting, an agreement has been reached to further cooperate in setting up a mechanism that will ensure the timely transportation of Ethiopia’s cargoes from the ports of Djibouti with the view to reduce cargo dwelling time at the ports, which will have a significant positive impact in terms of lowering service costs.

Source: Ethiopia News agency

Ethiopia, Djibouti Agree to Work on Border Security, Peacekeeping

Ethiopia and Djibouti have agreed to work jointly on security, training provisions and peacekeeping, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) said.

The 9th Ethio-Djibouti Defense Chiefs of Staff meeting was held here at ENDF Headquarters, it was indicated.

Following the meeting, Chief of Staff of Ethiopian National Defense Force Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and his Djiboutian counterpart General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim agreed to scale up cooperation between the defense forces of the two countries.

Ethiopia and Djibouti have signed accord on joint border patrols, information exchange, counter-terrorism, cultural exchanges, training, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations, it was learned.

Speaking on occasion, Field Marshal Birhanu said Ethiopia and Djibouti have historical and long-standing relations, enjoying brotherhood in terms of culture and language.

Birhanu said that the two countries, which have agreed to work as strategic, technical and cooperation alliance, is of great significance to regional peace and security.

He further said that Ethiopia and Djibouti are the seats of various international and continental organization.

Accordingly, the two countries in particular will be at the forefront to consolidate their role in peacekeeping missions, Field Marshal Berhanu underscored.

On his part, Djiboutian Chief of Staff, General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim recalled the memorandum of understanding (MoU) the two countries had signed to prevent various crimes in the border areas earlier.

Source: Ethiopia News agency