Smart Wires and ISA CTEEP announce first advanced power flow control project in Brazil

Brazil’s transmission network is undergoing a major expansion to transport renewable energy produced in the Northeast of the country. However, it is necessary to introduce new technologies into the Brazilian transmission system that optimize the use of the existing system, mainly to meet the significant growth in generation and allow for increased energy demand. The national planning and research agency in Brazil, Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE), identified a need to increase transmission capacity to facilitate load growth in São Paulo State, that is set to increase over time as demand for electricity continues to grow and more generation is connected to the grid.

EPE, in partnership with transmission company ISA CTEEP, evaluated multiple network options to identify the optimal solution to increase the capacity and reliability of the 138 kV network in this area to fully meet the forecast load and generation growth. The report recommended the use of modular static synchronous series compensators (m-SSSCs) to quickly and cost-efficiently balance power flows and unlock capacity on the network.

“In addition to optimizing network operations, this solution offers a shorter installation timeframe with minimal environmental impact, as it can be implemented in existing substation. This results in greater safety, resilience and flexibility for the system, both in the short and long term”, explains Claudio Domingorena, Executive Director of Regulation, Strategy and Innovation at ISA CTEEP.

ISA CTEEP will deploy Smart Wires’ leading modular SSSC solution, SmartValve™, in 2025 to control power flows on two circuits and unlock capacity for an immediate load increase near Ribeirão Preto while a line is being rebuilt. Once the reconstruction is completed in 2027, the SmartValves will be relocated to the São José do Rio Preto and Votuporanga substations. The report also forecasts that the SmartValve deployments will be expanded in future years as the need for power flow control increases. 

“We’re delighted to partner with ISA CTEEP on this project in Brazil, which represents the first use of modular SSSCs in the country,” said André Priolli, Regional Business Manager LatAm at Smart Wires. “ISA CTEEP will leverage the flexibility of SmartValve to meet an urgent short-term load increase, while a line is   reconstructed. After two years, the solution will be moved to a new location to meet a long-term need that increases over time.”

SmartValve™ is an advanced power flow control (APFC) solution that quickly solves grid bottlenecks and other grid issues to create extra capacity and support optimized use of the existing grid. It injects a voltage in quadrature with the line current to synthesize a capacitive (- Ωs) or inductive (+ Ωs) reactance. This means it can push power off overloaded lines or pull power onto underutilized lines, and it also provides dynamic services including improving voltage stability and transient stability. SmartValve™ is deployed by over 25 utilities around the world, including in Europe, the US, Latin America, and Australia.  

About Smart Wires

Smart Wires is a leading grid enhancing technology and services provider. We help electric utilities unlock capacity and solve their critical grid issues, using our solutions to create a more flexible, reliable and affordable grid. This enables a faster, more cost-efficient path to meet growing electricity demand with clean energy generation, at lowest cost to consumers. Headquartered in the Research Triangle of North Carolina, Smart Wires has a global workforce of passionate and visionary industry-leading experts across four continents, who work every day to transform grids globally. In collaboration with our customers and partners, we’ve unlocked over 3.5 Gigawatts capacity—enough to power over 2.5 million homes—supporting the faster integration of clean energy and new demand, enhancing security of supply and delivering cost savings to consumers.

Together, we are reimagining the grid for net zero.

About ISA CTEEP

A pioneer in developing innovations that contribute to the energy transition, ISA CTEEP is made up of over 1,600 employees and operates in 18 states across Brazil. The company manages a transmission network that carries approximately 30% of all electricity transmitted in the country and around 95% in the state of São Paulo. ISA CTEEP is committed to mitigating and adapting to climate change and promotes programs that generate positive social and environmental impacts (learn more). Its electrical system consists of over 31,000 km of circuits (about 28,000 in operation and 3,400 under construction), including both owned and jointly controlled assets, as well as 137 owned substations (129 in operation and eight under construction) with voltages of up to 550 kV. Its controlling shareholder is the Colombian company ISA, which holds 35.82% of the total capital.