Hitachi ABB Power Grids, a global technology leader headquartered in Switzerland, is supplying Andritz Hydro with state-of-the-art technology for grid connection and stabilisation for a unique pumped storage hydroelectric power plant, under construction in the Hajar Mountains in the UAE.
The Hatta pumped-storage power station, a first-of-its-kind project in the Arabian Gulf region, is being developed by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). When commissioned in early 2024, it will provide up to 250 MW of clean, renewable and flexible energy, said the statement from the global technology giant.
Leveraging its extensive know-how in grid connections and power electronics, Hitachi ABB Power Grids will deliver two AC excitation systems, based on power electronic converters. The systems will ensure variable speed operations of the reversible rotating units.
The Swiss group will also supply an integrated solution to connect the plant to Dewa’s 132 kV network.
The pumped-storage hydroelectric power station comprises of a lower reservoir near the Hatta (Al Hattawi) dam with 1,716 million gallons of water capacity, and an upper reservoir built into the mountain about 300 m higher with up to 880 million gallons of water storage capacity, said the statement from Hitachi ABB Power Grids.
During off-peak hours turbines will pump water about 4 km from the lower to the upper reservoir, using power drawn from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park.
Stored water will then be released to the lower reservoir during peak-load hours, driving turbines to quickly generate electricity to meet peak demand, it stated.
This strategic project will help to diversify the energy mix in the UAE in line with goals set out in the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy.
"We are honoured to be part of the development of the Arabian Gulf’s first hydropower plant,” said Dr Mostafa AlGuezeri, Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in the UAE, Gulf, Near East and Pakistan.
"The state-of-the art technology provided to Andritz Hydro, uses a PCS8000 converter for the AC excitation, enabling the machine to run at variable speed," he noted.
This ensures optimal operational efficiency and variable power operation in pump mode without compromising transient behavior of the machine, said Dr Al Guezeri.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids can deliver engineered packages as well as advanced solutions to support the emirate’s sustainability goals, accelerating the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future with technologies that will benefit society, he added.
