Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA; Pasadena, California, U.S.) has placed an order worth US$4.1 million with ABB Inc. for a 69-kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) design build substation project. Burbank Water & Power (BWP; Burbank, California) is the host utility for the project, entitled the Magnolia Power Project, which will be the fifth GIS from ABB to be located in Burbank. It is scheduled for completion by October 2004.

The Magnolia Power Project will be constructed on three acres of the existing BWP generating station site and will further improve regional electric reliability by dramatically increasing the amount of local generation that is not dependent on long-interstate transmission lines. Six cities from SCPPA are participating in the project, including Anaheim, Burbank, Cerritos, Colton, Glendale and Pasadena. BWP supports an influential and demanding customer base, including many of the major motion picture studios, such as Disney and Warner Brothers.

GIS substations offer unique advantages over air-insulated applications. GIS substations use SF₆ gas that reduces the distance needed between active and non-active switchgear parts, resulting in smaller overall space requirements (ideal for congested city areas). GIS substations also offer lower operating and maintenance costs, and are less sensitive to pollution, salt, sand and large amounts of snow.
Circle 154 on Reader Service Card or visit freeproductinfo.net/tdw