Siemens’ Sensformer. As the world’s first comprehensive digital transformer, Sensformer, is expected to increase energy reliability and efficiency for the Kafr El Sheikh and New Zagazig 500/220-kilovolt (kV) substations for the delta area, a highly loaded link of the transmission grid in northern Egypt.
Egypt’s energy network is in the midst of a transformation. Increased power generation capacity, the move towards renewables integration as well as more cross-border electricity flows are transforming the energy landscape and posing new challenges for Egypt’s transmission grid.
“As a result of Egypt’s energy transition, the demands placed on our grid infrastructure are continually increasing, ” said Sabah Meshaly, Chairman of EETC. “Digitalization of key elements in power grid infrastructure, such as transformers, can certainly help optimize energy distribution and reduce electricity losses.”
Under the agreement, Siemens will supply 14 Sensformers. This includes engineering, design, fabrication, supervision of the erection of power transformers, site management, testing along with the commissioning services on a turnkey basis. To further support EETC’s priorities to ramp up capacity, the two companies have agreed to work on a fast-track work schedule to complete the project by May 2020.
“The power industry is currently undergoing significant change with the evolution of energy networks into a decentralized, decarbonized and digitalized systems. Our intelligent transformers pave the way for the Internet of Energy,” said Rafiq Hussain, Senior Vice President, Siemens Transmission Products in the Middle East. “With this contract, we’re excited to build on our long-standing partnership with the EETC in Egypt. And, we remain committed to enabling all our customers across the region to manage this new electricity landscape and build the power grid of the future.”
Power transformers are key elements in power grid infrastructure that regulate voltage and current between different power supply units. In addition to their primary task of transforming voltage, Sensformers also act as information hubs for the power grid operators. Grid operators get access to a cloud-based platform application that visualizes the collected data and provides insights on the assets’ status and performance across voltage levels. This helps enhance flexibility and optimize operation of the entire grid, while preventing failures.
To allow the network operators and energy producers to manage this new electricity landscape automatically, Sensformer is also equipped with an IoT gateway to provide direct real-time measurements of oil level, top oil temperature, low voltage winding as well as GPS location. All the data generated by the sensors are then transmitted to the cloud via the Sensformer connectivity device, using the standard GSM communications or via the Ethernet.