Smart Wires and ISA CTEEP have announced the signing of a contract for the first large-scale advanced power flow control (APFC) project in Brazil that will deploy SmartValves™ to unlock grid capacity to support forecast increases in demand for electricity and faster integration of renewable energy in São Paulo state. The project will resolve both a near-term need caused by an overloaded line, and also a long-term need for power flow control capability at another location.
Brazil’s transmission network is undergoing a major expansion to transport renewable power produced in the north east of the country. However, it is necessary to introduce new technologies into the Brazilian transmission system that optimise the use of the existing system, mainly to meet the significant growth in generation and allow for increased energy demand. The national planning and research agency in Brazil, Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE), identified a need to increase transmission capacity to facilitate load growth in São Paulo State, which is set to increase over time as demand for electricity continues to grow and more generation is connected to the grid.
EPE, in partnership with transmission company ISA CTEEP, evaluated multiple network options to identify the optimal solution to increase the capacity and reliability of the 138 kV network in this area to fully meet the forecast load and generation growth. The report recommended the use of modular static synchronous series compensators (m-SSSCs) to quickly and cost-efficiently balance power flows and unlock capacity on the network.
“In addition to optimising network operations, this solution offers a shorter installation timeframe with minimal environmental impact, as it can be implemented in existing substation. This results in greater safety, resilience and flexibility for the system, both in the short and long term”, explains Claudio Domingorena, Executive Director of Regulation, Strategy and Innovation at ISA CTEEP.
In 2025, ISA CTEEP plans to deploy Smart Wires’ modular SSSC technology, SmartValve™, to control power flows on two circuits and unlock capacity for an immediate load increase near Ribeirão Preto while a line is being rebuilt. Once the reconstruction is completed, expected by 2027, the SmartValves will be relocated to the São José do Rio Preto and Votuporanga substations. The SmartValve deployments are likely to be expanded in future years as the need for power flow control increases.
SmartValve injects a voltage in quadrature with the line current to synthesise a capacitive (- Ωs) or inductive (+ Ωs) reactance. This means it can push power off overloaded lines or pull power onto underutilised lines, and it also provides dynamic services including improving voltage stability and transient stability.
Adding 185 MW in the USA
Another recent success reported by Smart Wires was the delivery of the Leeds–Hurley Avenue 345 kV project in the USA, which is using SmartValve technology to unlock over 185 MW of capacity on the existing grid. This will help accelerate the interconnection of renewable energy in the area, and paves the way for further large-scale APFC projects across the US, says Smart Wires.
New York has set an ambitious target of providing 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which requires a significant increase in transmission capacity over what is available today. While new transmission lines need to be built to reach this target, there is also untapped capacity on the existing grid that is not used. This is mainly due to bottlenecks on some heavily loaded grid assets which are limiting regional power flows.
When a NYISO study identified a need to increase transfer capacity in the eastern area of the state, Central Hudson Gas & Electric evaluated a number of network options that could provide series compensation to unlock this capacity. Originally, Central Hudson considered using a fixed series capacitor, but following detailed analysis an alternative APFC solution — SmartValve — was selected as the preferred option.
Central Hudson deployed fifteen SmartValves on the underutilised 345 kV Leeds–Hurley Avenue circuit, providing150 MVAr of power flow control capability and unlocking 185 MW of grid capacity.
SmartValve, as a “leading APFC solution”, is mandated for inclusion in regional transmission planning processes and interconnection studies in the USA under FERC Order 1920 and Order 2023, respectively.
Using SmartValves for the Leeds–Hurley Avenue project also provided greater system benefits than the FSC option due to its lower risk of sub-synchronous resonance (SSR) and its capability to provide dynamic services such as improving voltage stability and transient stability.
“This project can be easily scaled up with additional SmartValves to increase the power flow capabilities of the deployment as renewable generation grows further in the future,” said Joaquin Peirano, General Manager, Americas, Smart Wires. “It’s great to see Central Hudson leading the way in using APFC, as the Department of Energy and FERC continue to introduce new rules and funding programmes (eg, GRIP program) to support greater use of solutions like this that maximise transmission capacity on the US grid.”
Other New York stakeholders are following in the footsteps of Central Hudson in deploying APFC. The New York Power Grid Study, which outlines plans for grid projects to enable the state’s grid to support 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, envisages a number of APFC projects in the state over the coming years.
Colombia gains 300 MW of capacity
Meanwhile, in Colombia, Smart Wires has successfully delivered a second large-scale project with ISA TRANSELCA in the Atlántico region. This latest deployment has seen SmartValve installed across five 220 kV circuits, unlocking over 300 MW of additional transmission capacity in 2024. The project supports the firm connection of renewable energy sources that are being built in the area.
The Atlántico region is set to experience substantial growth in electricity demand, with 1.5 GW of wind and solar generation already approved for connection. This is significantly increasing power flows on transmission circuits in the area and was predicted to cause overloads on multiple circuits, especially in contingency scenarios (N-1).
ISA TRANSELCA proposed deploying SmartValves to resolve congestion on five 220 kV circuits. The national planning agency, UPME, selected Smart Wires’ APFC solution as the preferred option and included it in the national expansion plan.
SmartValve offered shorter lead times and avoided the lengthy permitting and disruption to communities associated with alternative network options. Its modular nature also provides ISA TRANSELCA with the flexibility to adapt the installation over time as system needs evolve.
By deploying SmartValves across five circuits at two sites to push power off overloaded circuits and onto circuits with spare capacity, ISA TRANSELCA can unlock over 300 MW of extra capacity on the existing grid to support the connection of new renewable power generation and improve capacity utilisation of new infrastructure in the area.
“Our collaboration with ISA TRANSELCA exemplifies how strategic investments in APFC can optimise grid capabilities and expedite the adoption of renewable energy,” said Joaquin Peirano, General Manager for the Americas at Smart Wires. “Following the successful completion of the CO-COST project last year, this new project leverages our partnership to bring reliable, scalable solutions to address the challenges of modern energy distribution.”
A unique feature of the project is that the SmartValves at the Nueva Barranquilla substation are housed indoors to provide a durable solution in a highly corrosive environment, caused by proximity to heavy industry and the sea. This indoor deployment is made possible due to the flexibility of SmartValve, says Smart Wires, which means that the layout can be optimised for the space available.
Smart Wires notes it has been active in Colombia for the past five years, starting with a pilot project with Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) in 2021 and followed by several large-scale projects, with EPM, Enlaza-GEB, and ISA TRANSELCA. These projects have already helped unlock over 1.2 GW of firm transmission capacity, “improving access to clean, reliable, affordable electricity for consumers across Colombia,” says Smart Wires.
Headquartered in the Research Triangle of North Carolina, Smart Wires says it has unlocked a total of over 3.8 GW of grid capacity, with SmartValve™ deployed by over 25 utilities around the world, including in Europe and Australia, as well as the USA and Latin America.
