- New transformer stations, new low-voltage lines and new transformers will be built, as well as technologically improving the existing infrastructures.
- Work will be divided into two phases and will involve expanding the power by 3,900 kW and an investment of €600,000, financed by the APB.
- These actions will ensure quality and continuity of supply during the event, which will begin on 22 August 2024.
Endesa has started work to expand the electricity infrastructures in the Port of Barcelona in order to meet energy requirements, including operations for the 37th edition of the America's Cup, which will take place in the Catalan capital from August 2024. However, part of the training for the competition will begin this spring, which is why some of the works need to already be completed by those dates.
The agreement signed with the Port Authority of Barcelona, which funds the investment (€600,000), stipulates that the Company will reinforce the network in different bases in the enclosure, where the strategic points for the event will be located, including an area for television crews, a welcome area, the Village and an area for the teams competing. The different areas have been divided between those that are a priority (that is, those that need to be completed during months of March and April) and those that are not (which those that need to be completed during the third quarter of this year).
Endesa will deploy almost 300 metres of new low-voltage connections throughout the port in order to be able to power the new electrical panels that need to be assembled. It will also install new transformers, close electrical slip rings and remotely control a transformer centre, as well as replacing the indoor cells in others. All this will strengthen the existing network, improve it technologically, expand it at strategic points and increase the installed power in the port by 3,900 kW.
The electrical slip rings will link two (or more) transformer centres that until now were isolated. This means that, in the event of an incident or the indisposition of one of the main lines, it will be possible for the customers affected to be served by alternative routes (so that power and customers recover more quickly). This not only results in a reduction in recovery time, but also in the fact that, in cases of scheduled work or maintenance of the network, no interruption of supply will be necessary.
The technological refurbishment of the transformer centres involves replacing their old cells with new ones that incorporate manoeuvring elements encapsulated in a gas with specially insulating properties characteristics. This new technology reduces the need for maintenance, as it self-regenerates, unlike oil, which gradually decomposes. The completely watertight switchgear has a greater capacity to extinguish in case of an incident and is more resilient and safe for technical personnel when they need to access the installation to carry out maintenance and improvement work or to make some manoeuvre.
A further step will be also taken in the digitalisation of the infrastructures, since one of the units will be remotely controlled. That is, it will be equipped with remote control systems that will enable remotely controlled manoeuvres. From Endesa's Control Centre in Barcelona, the installation's devices can be operated remotely without having to move equipment in the field in case of incidents, either their own or those arising from the action of external agents. The Control Centre receives information that enables the detection and isolation of defects that may occur in the network by using defect step detection elements. This saves time in locating faults, with a resulting reduction of up to 20% in the interruption time of the electricity supply to customers who are supplied from these installations in case of incidents.
About Endesa
Endesa is the largest electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X, it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. A new business line has also been created, Endesa X Way, fully dedicated to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribución and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers around 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.