- TransnetBW awards contract worth around EUR 9 million
- EQOS Energie convinced the client with a high-quality concept and reliable project handling
- Innovative electricity highway is a central element in the implementation of the energy transformation
With a current project in the state of Baden-Württemberg, EQOS Energie is once again at the forefront of the energy transformation. There, the Austria/Germany South-East profit center of the Overhead Line Construction business unit is working on the implementation of a 22-kilometre section of the ULTRANET line, the first high-voltage direct current transmission line in the network of the client TransnetBW. Construction work is scheduled to begin in October 2023, with completion expected in 2024.
ULTRANET is a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line project within the framework of the German electricity network development plan and is classified as a priority network measure. The innovative electricity highway planned by transmission network operators TransnetBW and Amprion will run from Philippsburg in Baden-Württemberg to Osterath in North Rhine-Westphalia and can transmit large amounts of electricity in both directions over long distances with minor losses. Furthermore, ULTRANET is to be extended through Corridor A North to Emden on the North Sea coast.
Powerful network for the energy transformation
Thomas Reichel, Managing Director and Head of the Overhead Line Construction business unit at EQOS Energie: “With this commission within the ULTRANET project, Section B1 from Mannheim-Wallstadt to Philippsburg, EQOS Energie can once again demonstrate its quality leadership in the expansion of the energy infrastructure and contribute to climate neutrality and sustainable prosperity. In the future, the transmission grid must be able to transport large amounts of green energy from wind farms in northern Germany to consumer centres and industrial sites in the west and south. Due to their special performance, high-voltage direct current transmission lines play a crucial role in the integration of renewable energies in a modern energy infrastructure.”
The benefits of HVDC lines are low transmission losses, higher capacities as well as good controllability in the face of fluctuating energy volumes due to significantly growing shares of wind and solar energy. The replacement of the conductors and fittings in this construction phase will take place on existing transmission lines. As a result, no additional masts will have to be constructed in this area.
Innovative components and deployment of helicopters
“In this construction section, EQOS Energie will perform the installation of new conductors for the DC circuit in the area between the Philippsburg and Heidelberg Neurott substations. Novel construction components will be integrated in the process,” said Gerald Adelsgruber, Head of the EQOS Energie Austria/Germany South-East profit center. Depending on the conditions in the respective construction sections, EQOS Energie will be on site with a minimum of 15 employees. “We were able to convince the client with a sound concept. Our highly trained team of fitters will ensure that the work will be executed on schedule. We will even deploy helicopter pilots for the pre-wiring installation,” Adelsgruber said.