Merus Power delivers Static Synchronous Compensator to a steel plant in Colombia
Merus Power supplies a medium-sized Merus® STATCOM static compensator with its partner Bulla y Salcedo Ingeniería to a steel industry end customer in Colombia. The system will support the operation and improve the energy efficiency of the Grupo Siderúrgico Reyna (GSR) steel plant. The investment includes Merus® STATCOM, active filters, a multi-year maintenance agreement, as well as electrical engineering and civil infrastructure work. The delivery of Merus® STATCOM and its additional parts will take place at the end of 2022.
Metal industry production requires a huge amount of energy to operate. By investing in energy efficiency, the energy required to make products can be reduced. The steel industry is a specific branch of the metal industry, where recycling plays a significant role. Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world and can be recycled almost indefinitely without compromising its features. Grupo Siderúrgico Reyna, for example, manufactures earthquake-resistant steel bars for the construction industry.
“The metal industry has enormous potential to improve energy efficiency. This can be done by improving power quality. We want to help our customers enhance their operations and meet the quality requirements of electricity networks. It is great that by supplying a high-quality static compensator, we can support a local Colombian steel company in energy efficiency and sustainable development,” says Kari Tuomala, CEO of Merus Power.
The Merus® STATCOM device supplied by Merus Power to the Grupo Siderúrgico Reyna steel plant will compensate for the reactive power of the Electric Arc Furnace and Ladle Furnace in the medium-voltage network. This makes it possible to stabilize the power grid, optimize the operation of the furnaces and at the same time reduce the plant’s maintenance needs. The static compensator also improves the power factor of the steel plant, enabling grid code compliance. Violation of these demanding grid codes would result in expensive fees for the steel plant.
“The challenge of complying with the new electrical code of Colombia is a highly complex task that requires advanced technology to achieve. We have chosen Merus Power from a variety of options due to their state-of-the-art power quality solutions and extensive experience in steel industry applications. With a reliable, ultra-fast, and robust device like Merus® STATCOM, our steel plant can improve power quality and comply with demanding grid codes. Together with their distributor, Bulla y Salcedo Ingeniería, Merus Power supports us with engineering expertise,” says Ricardo Prada, General Manager of GSR.