Eurotunnel and GE Partner to Increase Traffic in Channel Tunnel
March 22 2018 - 3:45AM
Business Wire
- GE to supply the world’s largest
STATCOM1 load balancer connected to a catenary traction
system2
- Solution will enable almost double the
traffic in Channel Tunnel
- Project is expected to be complete by
end of 2019
Regulatory News:
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Eurotunnel (Paris:GET) has awarded GE Power’s Grid Solutions
(NYSE: GE) a contract to supply a Static Synchronous Compensator
(STATCOM), to improve the stabilization of power supply on the
catenary traction system of the Channel Tunnel. The new system will
be stationed in Folkestone, Kent. Once complete, this project will
be the world’s largest STATCOM application connected to a catenary
traction system.
With more than 4.2 million vehicles and 20 million passengers
crossing the Channel through the Tunnel each year, Eurotunnel is
recognized as the world’s leading and busiest rolling motorway,
With almost 400 trains per day and traffic forecast to increase
significantly within the next few years, Eurotunnel needs to
increase the power and stability of its network to ensure a
constant flow of traffic and in particular to meet peak demand,
when eight trains are running simultaneously inside the Channel
Tunnel.
Michel Boudoussier, Chief Corporate Officer at Getlink commented
“Our choice to go with GE’s STATCOM will put Eurotunnel at the
forefront of electrical regulation technology for new generation
trains (Velaro). It will also enable us to continue to purchase
electricity where it is least expensive.”
GE Power’s Grid Solutions will custom design and supply the
entire STATCOM system, which will provide Eurotunnel with reactive
power compensation and an improved range of operational voltage,
leading to faster response times. Additionally, this technology has
a smaller physical footprint than traditional SVC3 systems. STATCOM
is a flexible solution which will help Eurotunnel navigate a highly
dynamic grid and ensure optimal performance of their assets.
“Providing a stable and consistent flow of electricity to this
vital link is critical. We are excited to help upgrade the traction
network for the Channel Tunnel to ensure that millions of
passengers continue to travel safely and efficiently between the UK
and France,” said Rajendra Iyer, GE Power’s Grid Solutions FACTS
& HVDC General Manager. “GE’s STATCOM technology is the prime
solution to ensure power stability in the Tunnel and help navigate
the complex environment that our customers are facing today.”
About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company,
transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions
that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized
around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through
which each business shares and accesses the same technology,
markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels
innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With
people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes
for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
About GE Power:
GE Power is a world energy leader that provides technology,
solutions and services across the entire energy value chain from
the point of generation to consumption. We are transforming the
electricity industry by uniting all the resources and scale of the
world’s first Digital Industrial company. Our customers operate in
more than 150 countries, and together we power more than a third of
the world to illuminate cities, build economies and connect the
world.
For more information, visit the company's website
at www.gepower.com. Follow GE Power on
Twitter @GE_Power and on LinkedIn at GE
Power.
About Getlink:
Getlink (Euronext Paris: GET and London Stock Exchange: GETS)
manages the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and operates
accompanied truck shuttle and passenger shuttle (car and coach)
services between Folkestone, UK and Calais, France. Eurotunnel
holds the concession until 2086 to operate the Channel Tunnel, the
fastest, most reliable, easiest and most environmentally friendly
way to cross the Channel. In 24 years, around 400 million people
have used the Channel Tunnel. This unique land crossing has become
a vital link between the continent and the United Kingdom. The
Group also runs a rail freight business through its subsidiary
Europorte, which offers a wide range of integrated rail freight
services and an electrical interconnector through its subsidiary
ElecLink.
https://www.getlinkgroup.com
1 STATCOM = Static Synchronous Compensator, technology allowing
voltage stability, power transfer capability and reactive power
balance in a grid2 Catenary traction system = set of conductors
located above the tracks, which feeds the trains in electricity3
SVC = Static Var Compensation, technology used since the early
1970s, reliable means of controlling voltage over transmission
lines and improving network dynamic stability while increasing
power transfer capability.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180322005490/en/
GE Media Contact:Caroline Kozik,
+33 149 016 306caroline.kozik@ge.comorEurotunnel
Media contacts:Anne-Laure Desclèves, +33 1 40 98 04
64John Keefe, +33 3.21.00.44.91Romain Dufour, +33 1
40 98 04 64
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