DNV GL performs ultra-high voltage component test in Netherlands

The first UHV component, an ABB Transformer passed testing in the Kema High Power Laboratory in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Kema HPL of DNV GL, is the first facility in the world for testing an UHV electrical grid components including power transformers up to 800 kV and switchgear up to 1200 k and the lab has now successfully completed a short-circuit testing on 800-kV class power transformers.

The demand of electricity is growing fast globally and to deal with this, the power system is being asked to carry higher volumes of electricity over longer distances. This is leading to emergence of so called super grids, large-scale electricity transport networks operation at voltage of 800 kV and above.

To support the electricity transmission and distribution industry, DNV GL decided to expand its Kema High Power Laboratory in Arhhem, which was already the highest power testing lab in the world, and the expansion extended the available testing power to 15 GVA.

The facility can now, with this upgrade, test power transformers and circuit breakers up to 800 kV, and increases its testing capacity for all components.