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Mitsubishi enters the Distribution FACTS Device Market

January 17, 2017 by Jeff Shepard

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. Electrical Distribution Division has entered the flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) market with the introduction of a utility-scale distributed power electronics solution. The Grid CoRe™ (Correction and Regulation) series of products are designed specifically to meet the utility challenges of distributed generation, two-way power flow, volt-var optimization, and conservation voltage reduction (CVR).

At the heart of each Grid CoReâ„¢ unit is an advanced three-phase static synchronous compensator (STATCOM). Leveraging the reliability of Mitsubishi Electric insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules and modular multilevel converter architecture, Grid CoReâ„¢ provides sub-cycle volt-var optimization combined with additional grid support features including voltage phase balancing and harmonic mitigation.

Outperforming conventional equipment such as reactors, shunt capacitors and load tap changers, Grid CoReâ„¢ combines these critical functions into a single unit for a more stable grid and improved recovery after a transient event.

“Mvar-sized FACTS devices are required to support grid stability at the transmission level. By moving into the primary distribution network, Mitsubishi Electric’s Grid CoRe™ solution can have a significant impact on MVA-sized feeders with kvar-sized devices,” stated Kevin Goldstein, engineering and development manager for the Electrical Distribution Division of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.

Utilizing a decentralized solution, Grid CoReâ„¢ is available, up to 2,000kvar, in building blocks of 500kvar units. Supporting the primary distribution grid up to 46kV, this decentralized model allows the utility to target a specific localized grid issue.

“By strategically applying Grid CoRe™ units, utilities can dynamically change the active voltage profile along an entire feeder, by requiring up to 20 percent less total kvar than a centralized solution,” Goldstein commented.

“With more than 30 years of electrical equipment experience, Mitsubishi Electric is poised to meet the modern needs of utilities by supporting distributed energy sources,” said Goldstein. “By applying advanced Grid CoRe™ technology, our customers can avoid costly reconductoring and remedy voltage violations within their distribution system.”