World’s largest generator circuit-breaker makes its debut in Europe
The largest generator circuit-breaker (GCB) of its kind in Europe will be installed in Kozienice thermal power plant in Poland. ABB’s GCB type HEC 9-250 XL will be featured in the new Unit 11 with a capacity of 1’075 megawatt (MW), which will be the largest thermal power unit in the country.
Energy consumption in Poland has been growing and is set to increase in the coming decades. The increasing energy demand requires establishments of new power plants and modernization of older units. Operated by Elektrownia Kozienice SA, Unit 11 that is located south of Warsaw, will be the most modern thermal power plant of its kind.
ABB’s GCBs have been in operations in Kozienice power plant for over four decades, thanks to the advanced technology and well-developed value-based customer care. The very first GCBs installed were air-blast type DR breakers, delivered by parent company Brown Boveri & Cie (BBC) in 1970s. In 2000 and 2001, the units were replaced by GCB type HEC 6 with SF6 technology and have been operating smoothly since.
ABB’s GCB HEC 9-250XL with rated current 33,500 ampere (A) and short-circuit current of 250 kilo ampere (kA) will be manufactured in the award-winning factory in Zurich, Switzerland. Since its introduction in 2012, HEC 9 remains unsurpassed as a high-performing GCB with low maintenance requirement and the highest safety and reliability standards developed to satisfy the requirements of today’s largest power plant units of up to 1’800 MW.
ABB offers the widest and most modern portfolio of GCBs in SF6 technology across a range of short-circuit ratings, from 63 kA to 300 kA and nominal currents from 6’300 A to over 50’000 A to meet the demand of all types of power plants around the globe.
source: ABB