Siemens to retrofit on of the largest substation in Germany

• 5 years ago (2019-11-15)
• David Flin

Europe 1088 Transmission 191

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German transmission grid operator TransnetBW has commissioned Siemens to build new switchgear in the 380kV Daxlanden substation in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. Two new gas-insulated indoor switchgear, initially with 26 panels, will boost the substation’s transmission capacity and cover the increased transport demand in the German high-voltage grid resulting from the transition to a new energy mix. Commissioning will take place in stages and be completed in 2029.

This will enable transmission of large quantities of wind energy from northern Germany to the southern part of the country. Replacing SF6 with treated air as the insulating medium in the bus ducts also ensures much more climate-friendly operation.

The current 400kV outdoor switchgear with 20 panels will be gradually stripped down during operation, being replaced by two gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) with 14 and 12 panels during the first expansion stage and 18 and 15 panels, respectively, in the final stage in Karlsruhe.

The order includes the planning, production, supply, and commissioning of initially 26 switchpanels for the two 8DQ1 GIS systems with triple busbars and single-phase Clean Air bus ducts measuring a total length of 3860m, and the associated infrastructure equipment. A total of 5330m of single-phase bus ducts will be installed overall.