ABB and Oncor Electric Delivery have announced that Oncor will be using leading-edge power system technology from ABB, starting in 2009, to maintain the reliability of the grid while enabling the improvement of the environment in the North Texas area by installing the world’s largest cluster of Static Var Compensators (SVC’s).

Oncor and ABB have entered into a two-year, $75 million agreement. The first phase of the turnkey project is destined for completion prior to summer 2009, and the second phase will be completed in 2010.

Static Var Compensators are part of the FACTS technology family and are advanced technology designs that provide high-speed, grid-voltage support to continue the reliable operation of the electrical grid during electrical disturbances. Installing SVC’s minimizes the need to run generation plants in close proximity to system loads, therefore limiting air pollutants and continuing to support environmental improvement in Dallas-Fort Worth and northern Texas.

The robust technology of SVC’s will help in controlling and rapidly responding to changes in grid conditions. It will also accommodate the future use of wind power and other forms of remote generation.

“The robust design and flexibility of Static Var Compensators will allow Oncor to continue to reliably operate the transmission grid in North Texas with less dependence on local generation,” said Oncor chairman and CEO Bob Shapard. “ABB worked hard to develop an electrical power solution that will keep pace with the North Texas area’s ever increasing power demands, while enabling the improvement of the local environment.”

The first phase of the SVC installations is slated for service prior to summer 2009, though Oncor will continue to deliver electricity reliably, while enabling significant environmental improvements.

“ABB partnered with Oncor, one of the nation’s largest electric delivery companies, to create an innovative and efficient SVC solution that benefits millions of customers in Texas with reliable power in the wake of growing power demands,” said Martin Gross, head of ABB’s Power Systems North America division. “The SVC’s are designed to provide the world’s fastest response time to an electrical contingency.”