AMSC receives order for Chinese power grid

American Superconductor Corp., a Devens company specializing in energy technologies, said that it has received its first order for a D-VAR system to meet dynamic reactive compensation requirements for a 220 kilovolt power transmission grid in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China.

According to American Superconductor, which refers to itself as AMSC, reactive power compensation is necessary to stabilize voltage, relieve power grid congestion, improve electrical efficiency, and prevent blackouts in power grids.

Beijing SNTA Electric Power Technique Co. Ltd., or SNTA, has ordered the 16 MegaVAR D-VAR system and is American Superconductor's first channel partner for the Chinese power grid market, said the company, which added that it expects to deliver the D-VAR system to SNTA by mid 2009.

The company's press release did not include financial details of the transaction between AMSC and SNTA, but it did cite figures from the International Energy Agency, which estimates that China’s power grid will require approximately $1.5 trillion in investments by 2030.

To read the company's press release, please click here.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)