Wind energy: giant transformer transforms the energy generated in the turbines so that they are at adequate levels for the transmission system of the new parks in the Northeast

The works of the Neoenergia Oitis Wind Complex, the company's largest in Brazil, located between Piauí and Bahia, are advancing at an accelerated pace. The first of three transformers that will be installed at the Oitis substation has just been delivered by WEG, one of the largest manufacturers of turbines and electric motors in the world. Each equipment has a capacity of 230 MVA.

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Manufactured by WEG in Betim (MG), the transformer arrived at the project after 45 days of travel, covering 3.297 kilometers. Due to the size of the equipment, which measures around 10,1 meters in height and weighs 271,1 tons (filled with oil), a complex logistical operation was required. The other two transformers will be delivered in December.

Turbines will be assembled later this year and promise to generate 1,5 jobs in the Northeast

It is these equipments that transform the energy generated in the turbines so that they are at adequate levels for the transmission system. That is, at the Oitis substation, where the transformers will be installed, the voltage of the energy produced is raised to 500 kV so that it can follow the transmission line to the Queimada Nova II substation (PI), connection point to the National Interconnected System (SIN).

"The Neoenergia Oitis Wind Complex is strategic for Neoenergia and we maintain its construction at an accelerated pace to generate clean energy, contributing to the Brazilian electricity sector. Still in 2021, we will start assembling the first wind turbines, ahead of schedule in the business plan, and the estimate is that commercial operation will begin in the first half of 2022Says William Carneiro, manager of Renewable Projects at Neoenergia.

Oitis will have 12 parks, which will add up to an installed capacity of 566,5 MW, enough to supply a city with 2,7 million inhabitants. It is a business aligned with Neoenergia's ESG (environmental, social and governance) commitments. In addition, 96% of its energy will be traded on the free market, following the company's position on the liberalization of the Brazilian market.

The construction of the wind complex also generates several benefits for the region. The works should generate 1,5 jobs, almost 40% of which will be local labor. Among the positive impacts, there are also free training courses and donation of basic food baskets to vulnerable families in the municipalities of Dom Inocêncio and São Raimundo Nonato, in Piauí, and Casa Nova, in Bahia.

The largest FPSO platform in Brazil — manufactured by Modec for Equinor, destined for the Santos Basin pre-salt, will have 140 electric motors

Around 40 medium voltage electric motors, with powers reaching up to 13.400 kW, plus 100 low voltage electric motors and five medium voltage frequency inverters (three of which with a nominal power of 11.723 kW), will be supplied by the multinational WEG to equip the largest oil and gas platform in Brazil.

WEG is already manufacturing the equipment at its factory located in Jaraguá do Sul (SC). The electric motors and inverters will be supplied by compressor and pump manufacturers in Europe and Asia, and will act in activating this equipment in the Bacalhau field, in the Santos Basin pre-salt.

The largest transformer produced by WEG left the SC factory in April, heading to the African continent

The Brazilian giant WEG built, in its factory in Blumenau, in SC, its greatest transformer. The equipment, weighing 348 tons each, will be incorporated into the electrical energy transmission system in the south of the African continent, providing reliability in the energy supply and directly contributing to the development of the local economy.

The first unit was shipped at the beginning of April this year and the second in May, in advance of the agreed contractual deadlines, whose complex transport logistics to the final destination is estimated in 60 days.