Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) Upgrades and retrofit

Based on many years of experience from complex installations, Hitachi Energy offers services to evolve or upgrade the installation to the next generation, to extend system lifetime, to improve availability and reliability and incorporate efficiency and additional functions, avoiding being outdated.

To maintain a FACTS installation’s high availability and reliability for a longer period, it is important to think about maintenance and the need for future support.  As time goes by, the maintenance and operation of FACTS installation becomes more challenging.

There are several reasons to upgrade a system. First, many installations are critical for the supported system, transmission, or network and the evolution of technology may turn it harder to find spare parts, particularly for older control components and boards. Also, there are challenges to maintain competence in limited and obsolete technologies when key staff members leave the company. Additionally, older control technology may not be capable of running the latest software and cybersecurity solutions. 

So, the need for an upgrade depends mainly on a combination of obsolescence, the availability of spare parts and the general condition of the equipment.  Choosing to proactively upgrade the installation before a severe outage occurs will save both valuable time and money.  

Different subsystems of the installation have different lifetimes, then an upgrade can be required for some of its critical subsystems and components. An upgrade may consist of a new control system, new functionality and a new generation of hardware and software. 

Examples:

• System Updates
• Small upgrades (Control System Upgrade)
• Regular Upgrades (Valve, Control & Protection Upgrade)
• Cooling system Upgrade