2008-02-26 - Frame agreement covers the supply of ABB’s ZX1.2 33kV gas-insulated single busbar switchgear for EDF Energy substation projects
February 19 2008 – ABB has signed a three-year frame agreement with EDF Energy Networks, the UK’s largest electricity distribution network owner. The deal is to supply 33 kV ZX1.2 single busbar switchgear for substation refurbishment and new-build projects in London, the East of England and the South-East, serving 7.8 million customers.
As a result of the frame agreement, ABB has already been awarded a contract worth around £1 million to supply 68 panels of ZX1.2 switchgear for a number of EDF Energy Networks sites. The switchgear panels, manufactured in ABB’s focused MW equipment factory in Ratingen, Germany will be delivered in the first half of 2008.
The frame agreement nominates ABB as just one of two potential suppliers for the energy company’s 33kV single busbar switchgear, and it has important benefits for both parties - EDF Energy Networks can rely on security of pricing and delivery over the next three years while ABB is receiving a guaranteed volume of orders that enables it to plan the workload on the factory.
ZX1.2 background
ABB’s ZX1.2 switchgear has technical acceptance from the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and Network Rail for use at 33kV for ratings up to 31.5kA and 2000A. It has been designed with a modular, plug in approach to meet the specific needs of electricity distribution network owners and operators by providing compact, flexible substation configurations that offer reliable and cost efficient switchgear solutions for single busbar applications.
The key features of the ZX1.2 design include laser welded stainless steel enclosures, compact modular construction and the introduction of plug-in technology which facilitates simple, controlled connections of busbar, cable, test bushings and voltage transformer, without the need for ‘on site’ gas handling equipment.
All maintenance-free live components, such as switching devices and busbars are contained under SF6 in gas-tight enclosures, which eliminate the effects of ageing processes and environmental influences to ensure maximum operator availability and a long service life.
The ZX1.2 design also offers easy cable access at the rear with generous provision for conventional control and protection devices, dedicated cable test sockets and full mechanical interlocking between the disconnector/earthing selector and the circuit breaker.