Aramon thermal plant draws on former experience – Hitachi Energy

Modernization of Aramon Power Plant: A Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Project Overview and Objectives

A report on the modernization of the Aramon thermal power plant in southern France, owned by Électricité de France (EDF). The project focused on upgrading critical protection systems to enhance grid stability and align with long-term sustainable development objectives.

• Facility: Aramon Thermal Power Plant, operational since 1977.
• Primary Role: Provides essential flexibility and balancing services to France’s national grid, which is predominantly supplied by nuclear power.
• Project Driver: The necessity to replace aging and end-of-life GSX5 generator protection hardware, originally supplied by Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC).
• Core Objective: To implement a modern, high-specification protection system to ensure the plant’s continued reliability and safety, thereby supporting national energy security.

2.0 Upgrading Infrastructure for Resilience and Innovation (SDG 9)

The project is a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which emphasizes the need to build resilient infrastructure and upgrade industrial facilities for sustainability.

1. Technological Solution: EDF selected Hitachi Energy to install the REG670 generator protection relays, a decision based on successful prior installations at other high-specification EDF facilities.
2. High Standards: Although Aramon is an oil-fired plant, EDF mandated the use of protection devices that meet the highest regulatory standards, equivalent to those required for nuclear power plants, to maximize operational integrity.
3. System Redundancy: A total of four REG670 units were installed to provide full redundancy and comprehensive protection for the main generator, main transformer, and auxiliary systems.
4. Future-Proofing: The new system, part of the Relion family, adheres to the IEC 68150 standard. This not only replaces obsolete equipment but also future-proofs the installation, providing enhanced functionality and adaptability for future grid requirements.

3.0 Supporting Reliable Energy and Sustainable Communities (SDG 7 & SDG 11)

By enhancing the reliability of a critical grid-balancing asset, the modernization project indirectly supports broader energy transition goals.

• Contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): A stable and reliable electrical grid is the foundation for integrating variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By ensuring the Aramon plant can effectively respond to demand changes, this upgrade reinforces the grid stability necessary for a successful transition to cleaner energy mixes.
• Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The project ensures a secure and uninterrupted power supply, which is fundamental to the functioning of modern, sustainable communities. Reliable electricity underpins all essential services, from healthcare to transport and communications.

4.0 Implementation and Customer Benefits

The project’s success was rooted in leveraging specialized expertise and ensuring minimal disruption to operations, reflecting principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through efficient resource management and asset life extension.

4.1 Key Success Factors

• Proven Expertise: Hitachi Energy’s selection was based on its demonstrated experience with high-specification installations within EDF’s network.
• Experienced Personnel: The installation was carried out by engineers with direct, irreplaceable experience from similar projects, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.
• Operational Continuity: The technical knowledge and established working relationship with EDF enabled the installation of the new systems with minimal impact on the plant’s operations.

4.2 Conclusive Benefits

The replacement of the legacy GSX5 equipment with the modern REG670 system has provided EDF with a robust, reliable, and future-ready protection solution that enhances the security of a vital component of France’s national energy infrastructure.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on maintaining and improving the reliability of electricity generation. The Aramon power plant provides “essential flexibility to the generated supply,” which is crucial for the stability and reliability of the national grid. By upgrading its protection systems, the plant ensures it can continue to reliably contribute to the energy supply.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• This goal is central to the article, which details a “major refit” of an industrial facility. The project involves replacing “aging protection hardware” with a modern, “high-specification installation.” This is a direct example of upgrading infrastructure to make it more resilient, reliable, and technologically advanced, thereby supporting industrial activity and energy security.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   • The article connects to the “reliable” aspect of this target. The Aramon plant’s role is to “keep pace with changes in demand for electricity,” ensuring grid stability. The upgrade from end-of-life equipment to a new system with “full redundancy” is a direct measure to enhance the reliability of the energy infrastructure that serves the nation.

2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.

   • The project described is a clear example of this target in action. EDF replaced “aging protection hardware” to prevent potential failures, thus improving the resilience of the power station. The choice of “high-specification” REG670 devices, which provide “full redundancy,” directly contributes to developing higher quality and more reliable energy infrastructure.

3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…

   • The article describes a “major refit” of the Aramon power plant, which is a form of retrofitting an industrial facility. While the plant still uses oil, the upgrade modernizes its control and protection systems. The new equipment supports the “IEC 68150 standard,” which is mentioned as “future-proofing the installation.” This represents a step towards making the infrastructure more technologically sustainable and modern, even if the energy source itself is not renewable.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 7.1 (Reliability)

   • The article implies an indicator related to operational uptime and system stability. The replacement of equipment at the “end of its operational life” with a system offering “full redundancy” is intended to reduce unplanned downtime and equipment failure. Therefore, a relevant indicator would be the reduction in service disruptions or outages originating from generator or transformer protection system failures.

2. Indicator for Target 9.1 (Resilience)

   • A clear indicator mentioned is the level of investment in modernizing critical energy infrastructure. The entire project, including the installation of “four REG670 installations,” serves as a tangible measure of this investment. The implementation of “full redundancy” is a specific feature that can be measured as an indicator of enhanced resilience.

3. Indicator for Target 9.4 (Modernization)

   • The article points to the adoption of modern, international standards in industrial retrofits. The text explicitly states that the new REG670 system “supports the core values of the IEC 68150 standard.” The percentage of critical infrastructure components that are compliant with such modern standards can be used as a specific indicator of progress towards this target.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Summary

Source: hitachienergy.com