DNV acquires South African grid consulting firm, builds HV grid expertise
- November 1, 2022
Global independent energy expert and assurance provider, DNV, has announced that it has acquired South Africa-based Power System Dynamics (officially called, PSD Consulting Engineering Pty Ltd)
A grid consulting firm providing worldwide specialized services for high-voltage power systems, Power System Dynamics is recognized as a world-leading expert in grid dynamic behaviour modeling, a release from DNV said.
The rationale
This acquisition, which follows collaboration on anterior projects, will be essential to DNV’s service offerings in the area of power system planning and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), supplementing its offers to the global power market with PSD’s international project references, global customer portfolio and world recognition on FACTS advisory services.
Rising share of intermittent energy
Though essential, the increasing share of sustainable power in the energy mix comes with challenges for transmission and distribution operators, due to the intermittence of the power flows generated from renewable sources. FACTS regulate alternating current transmission parameters, thus enhancing power flows controllability and increasing transfer capability across AC/DC grids. This central role in ensuring voltage stability makes FACTS critical for the move towards the full integration of renewable power sources.
The acquisition of PSD occurs as DNV’s recently published Energy Transition Outlook report states that with an 83 per cent share of the electricity system in 2050, renewables are squeezing the fossil share of the overall energy mix to just below the 50 per cent mark in 2050.
More grid connections will be needed as the global grid-connected electricity demand will annually grow by 2.7 per cent from 2020 to 2050. Also, world transmission lines will increase from just over 6 million ckm in 2020 to almost 18.5 million by 2050. The fastest progress will occur in regions with relatively weaker infrastructure: the Indian Subcontinent, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Also read: DNV Company Provides Integrated Solutions For Hybrid Solar And Storage Powered Town
Areas of expertise
PSD’s main areas of expertise are power system analysis and design studies & investigations; the firm specialises in studies for generation integration, energisation, substations, lines, static volt-ampere reactive compensators (SVCs), reactive power compensation systems, and general power equipment. Its knowhow has been carried out at all project stages, including techno-economic feasibility studies, conceptual studies, power system studies, engineering studies, preparation of technical specifications, procurement support, bid evaluation, witnessing of factory tests and of site acceptance and commissioning tests.
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