Schneider Electric is expanding its more than 15-year collaboration with Elsaco Electronic by contributing to the development of electrical infrastructure for three major cogeneration projects in Romania: CET Hidrocarburi Arad (31.5 MWe), CET Palas Constanta (52 MWe) and CET Govora (52 MWe). The total value of the three projects exceeds 300 million euros.
The projects aim to modernize and improve the efficiency of thermal and electrical energy generation infrastructure through the implementation of cogeneration systems. In this context, Schneider Electric is providing an integrated electrical solution covering a significant part of the infrastructure required for electrical power distribution, protection, monitoring and automation.
Together with its partner Elsaco Electronic, Schneider Electric is supplying technologies across the main levels of the electrical infrastructure. The Schneider Electric solution includes PIX High medium-voltage switchgear, configured for power generation applications and equipped with dedicated generator circuit breakers, Okken low-voltage switchboards, Canalis busbar trunking systems, high-power Okken distribution switchboards, PrismaSeT distribution boards, as well as automation and motor control panels with variable speed drives for pump applications.
For applications operating in high-temperature environments, the variable speed drives are installed in a flush-mount configuration, an approach that enables the solution to be adapted to demanding operating conditions while supporting the energy efficiency of motor-driven systems.
The Schneider Electric solution also includes technologies for the automation and monitoring of the electrical infrastructure. Energy consumption management and monitoring are enabled by the Power Monitoring Expert (PME) platform, which collects and analyses data related to energy consumption and distribution, providing operators with greater visibility into the performance of the installation.
At CET Arad, the Schneider Electric solution integrates the EcoStruxure Power Operation (EPO) electrical SCADA system, with advanced reporting capabilities provided by Power Monitoring Expert (PME), as well as PowerLogic T500 units for integration with higher-level SCADA systems. This enables the electrical infrastructure to be monitored and operated in an integrated manner, from medium- and low-voltage distribution through to communication with external energy management systems.
The complexity of the power generation projects has also required specialized services for the configuration and verification of protection systems. Schneider Electric is providing protection coordination and calculation studies, as well as selectivity studies for high-, medium- and low-voltage installations. These services support the proper coordination of protection devices and contribute to improving the safety and availability of the electrical infrastructure.
The studies are being carried out with the involvement of Schneider Electric specialists from France, together with the teams working on the projects in Romania.
“The projects in Arad, Constanta and Govora demonstrate the value of a partnership in which expertise and technology come together to address complex requirements in the energy sector. For Schneider Electric, the objective was not only to provide individual pieces of equipment, but an integrated electrical solution covering everything from medium- and low-voltage distribution to automation, SCADA and energy management. At the same time, it is important that these projects have contributed to the development of relevant local capabilities for the digital transformation of energy infrastructure,” said Marius Tudor, Head of Sales Industrial EUs & Channels, Schneider Electric Romania.
Strengthening local technical expertise
An important outcome of the collaboration has been the development of Elsaco Electronic’s capabilities in advanced electrical solutions. As part of the projects, Elsaco teams have completed training programmes focused on implementing electrical SCADA solutions, while the company has also become a licensed partner for Okken solutions.
“Our collaboration with Schneider Electric has enabled us to significantly strengthen the level of technical expertise we can provide in complex energy projects. Beyond the equipment delivered, the fact that our teams have developed expertise in electrical SCADA and that we have obtained licensing for Okken solutions represents an important benefit for both current and future projects. It is an investment in our ability to respond to the requirements of an energy market undergoing an accelerated transformation,” said Corneliu Bulibenchi, Technical Director, Elsaco Electronic.
The partnership between Schneider Electric and Elsaco Electronic continues to support the development of solutions tailored to Romania’s energy infrastructure, combining international technology with locally developed expertise and capabilities.