29.03.2023
Program increases availability and reliability of operations. By 2038, R$ 3 billion will be allocated in investment
The largest and most important modernization project for hydropower plants in the country continues with full energy for 2023. Conducted by CTG Brasil, one of the largest clean energy generators in the country, the modernization enters a new stage this year with a bidding process for the completion of the third batch, which includes the refurbishment of six machines at the Jupiá and Ilha Solteira HPPs, three in each.
Since it started, in 2017, 9 machines have already been renovated at the two plants. The first batch modernized four machines; the second and current batch completed the renovation of five machines and will deliver one in the first half of 2023 and another two by the first half of 2024. Considered the largest modernization program underway at a 100% national plant, the project will increase availability and reliability of operations and ensure the efficiency of the power generation system for another 30 years.
In all, R$ 3 billion will be allocated in investments for the installation, replacement and renovation of 34 generating units and adaptation of existing systems. In 2023 alone, R$ 228 million will be invested in the program.
The benefits of modernizing generating units are already perceived by the electricity sector. With 1,551.2 MW of installed capacity, Jupiá HPP recorded efficiency gains in the generators, having its physical guarantee revised by ANEEL in 2019, increasing from 886 MW to 904.3 average MW (increase of 18.3 average MW). Ilha Solteira HPP, on the other hand, registered an increase in the reliability of the operating system and automation, starting to have automated measurements, which were previously done manually.
Ensuring the functionality and reliability of operations, in addition to maintaining an efficient preventive maintenance plan, are essential premises of CTG Brasil’s work. To ensure this process while carrying out the modernization program, the company will start overhauling one piece of equipment at a time at each plant. “In addition to improving process management, this adjustment will bring more benefits and operational safety to the entire electricity sector”, explains Cesar Teodoro, director of engineering at CTG Brasil.
New Generation Operations Center
As part of the modernization project, CTG Brasil inaugurated a new Generation Operation Center (COG) at the Ilha Solteira Hydropower Plant. The space will command, monitor and supervise 12 hydropower plants and two Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs) of the company, totaling around 7.6 GW distributed in seventy generating units.
The integrated operation allows controlling in real time the generation of all CTG Brasil units and remotely accessing hydraulic data and energy production, in addition to commanding equipment. “The new COG brings more security and efficiency to the operation, as it gathers information in a systemic way and reduces decision-making time based on optimized communication, guaranteeing the full availability of assets. Another competitive advantage is the possibility of adding future assets and adapting systems and teams to the structure”, completes Cesar Teodoro, director of engineering at CTG Brasil.
The building where the COG is located was renovated and follows international standards, in addition to the network procedure of the National Electric System Operator (ONS). The new structure includes a real-time monitoring room and spaces dedicated to training, technical support, engineering and servers. The monitoring room houses a Datacenter, responsible for the security of the systems used, both from a physical and cybernetic point of view. The site is one of the only ones homologated to work in Operation Centers.
