Leading power and automation technology group, ABB has been contracted
by KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd to provide maintenance supervision services for six
medium-voltage DC traction substations powering the Gold Coast Light Rail
project in Australia. KDR Gold Coast, a consortium member for GoldLinQ, is the
operator of the light rail link. The substations were designed, manufactured
and commissioned by ABB in 2014 as part of an earlier contract.
The three-year contract requires ABB to provide a customised maintenance
and service solution that will ensure the six traction substations continue to
provide maximum reliability and power for the rapid transit system relied upon
by over 18,000 G: link commuters.
ABB will utilise advanced diagnostic and repair practices to provide 24-hour
support with a guaranteed response time, annual preventative maintenance and
access to NEPLAN diagnosis for the six transportable substations.
Designed for managing, analysing and optimising all voltage levels of
electricity networks, NEPLAN is a planning and information system that
collects and analyses condition and diagnostic data throughout the lifecycle of
equipment. This allows a shift from time-based to condition-based maintenance,
maximising availability and reliability while also reducing the costs of
interventions and associated downtime.
Axel Kuhr, General Manager for ABB in Australia explains that ABB’s
customised service solution and expertise will ensure KDR Gold Coast can remain
confident about the performance of their substations. ABB brings more than 100
years of innovation and experience in the substation domain and rail sector
to maximise power availability and keep operating costs as low as possible
for their customers.
The six substations are rated at 11 kV AC/ 750V DC, housed in
transportable outdoor buildings and integrated with key technologies including
rectifiers, DC switchgear, SafePlus medium-voltage switchgear, dry-type
rectifier and auxiliary transformers, leakage current monitoring systems and
auxiliary equipment.
ABB is a leading supplier of products, systems and services for rail
infrastructure and rolling stock serving modern, conventional and high-speed
rail applications. ABB’s product portfolio includes AC and DC traction
substations and railway electrification solutions for the rail industry including
an upcoming prefabricated DC substation offering a compact modular solution.