Projects
Thomas Magg, Principal Consultant of Serala Power has worked, amongst others, on the following projects:
SONGO CONVERTER STATION REFURBISHMENT, HIDROELECTRICA CAHORA BASSA (HCB), MOZAMBIQUE (2011 – 2018)
The Cahora Bassa HVDC long distance transmission system consists of two converter stations located at Songo (Mozambique) and Apollo (Republic of South Africa). The bipolar scheme rated at ±533.33kV DC / 1920 MW is connected by a transmission line of approximately 1400km in length. The scheme was completed in 1979 and the equipment installed at Hidroelectrica Cahora Bassa’s (HCB’s) Songo converter station is reaching the end of its life. The Songo Converter Station Brownfield Project consists of the replacement and refurbishment of equipment and systems at the converter station to extend the operational life of the converter station. The Brownfield Project has been split into various phases as outlined below.
1. Songo Brownfield Phase 3 Major Refurbishment Technical Specifications Project (2015 – 2017)
The Phase 3 project includes replacement of HVDC control and protections systems, converter valves, valve cooling, AC filters, DC filters, AC and DC equipment, AC and DC auxiliary systems and the installation of a 220kV transfer busbar.
Role: Lead engineer for preparation of functional technical specifications for a major refurbishment to Songo converter station to improve reliability and technical performance in the long term.
2. Songo Brownfield Phase 2 Projects: Reliability and Performance Improvement in the Short to Medium Term (2016 – ongoing)
Phase 2 includes refurbishment of converter transformers, replacement of a back-up diesel generator, purchase of a spare converter transformer, replacement of 220kV AC surge arresters and replacement of critical components on the valves and valve base electronics.
Role: Senior Technical Advisor and Lead Engineer for ongoing support to the client for definition, functional specification, design reviews, witnessing of factory tests on equipment and technical advice on projects to improve the reliability and technical performance of existing HVDC station in the short to medium term.
3. Songo Brownfield Phase 1 Projects (2012 – 2017)
Phase 1 projects included the replacement of three single phase converter transformers, DC smoothing reactors, DC surge arresters and DC optical CT’s, and the installation of an additional 220 kV 200 MVAr AC harmonic filter bank to provide redundancy and increased reliability.
Role: Lead engineer for the preparation of technical specifications for equipment, provided technical support during procurement phase, tender evaluation of bids received and contract negotiations with the selected bidder, owners engineer role during project implementation.
4. Songo HVDC converter station Upgrade/Refurbishment Feasibility Study (2010 – 2011)
Analysis of reliability and technical performance of existing station, techno-economic analysis of options for rehabilitation/greenfield solutions. Preparation of tender documents and functional specifications of 533 kV, 1920 MW, HVDC converter station rehabilitation/greenfield replacement.
Role: Project manager and lead engineer for the Upgrade/Refurbishment Feasibility Study, preparation of technical specifications for equipment, provided technical support during procurement phase, tender evaluation of bids received and contract negotiations with the selected bidder, owners engineer role during project implementation.
CAPRIVI LINK HVDC INTERCONNECTOR, NAMPOWER, NAMIBIA (2005 – 2010)
The project was the development and implementation of a 2 x 300 MW, 350 kV, 950km overhead line VSC HVDC interconnector that connects the AC networks of Zambia and Namibia. It was the first commercial scheme to utilise VSC HVDC technology with overhead lines. Only one 300MW pole was implemented. The second 300MW pole is planned to be implemented in the future.
Role: Technical Advisor. Responsibilities included preparation and coordination of functional technical and performance specifications and tender documents, tender evaluation and contract preparation. From 2008-2010 full time assignment to the client’s offices in Windhoek, Namibia for a period of 30 months during the implementation phase of the HVDC project. Responsibilities included coordination of all technical aspects of the Caprivi HVDC converter stations project including planning, design reviews, technical meetings, definition and supervision of all interfaces between the converter stations, HVDC line and AC substations, witnessing of the transient network analysis simulator (RTDS) tests of the HVDC control and protection system, integration of the HVDC converter stations into the AC networks, development and coordination of energised system testing for the HVDC converter stations, coordination of the training of personnel and review of contractor supplied documentation.
VARIOUS AC TRANSMISSION PROJECTS (2001 – 2017) INCLUDING:
- Maun Substation Reactive Power Compensation Project, Botswana Power Corporation.
- Zambia – Tanzania – Kenya Interconnector Feasibility Study.
- Kgale View 132/11 kV, 2 x 40 MVA new substation, upgrade of Molepolole 132/33 kV and Airport Road 132/11kV substations for Botswana Power Corporation.
- Various 33kV and 11kV distribution station upgrades for TANESCO, Tanzania.
- System engineering for Nampula Substation 110kV extensions, EdM, Mozambique.
- System engineering for Moma 110/22kV Substation, EdM, Mozambique.
- Feasibility Study for the Expansion of Morupule Power Station for Botswana Power Corporation, Botswana.
- Functional design specification for 190 km 220 kV transmission line and a 220 / 33 kV, 2 x 65 MVA substation to supply power to Kansanshi Mine for Copperbelt Energy Corporation, Zambia.
- Studies and technical specifications for installation of series capacitors in the 380kV east-central tie lines and a Static VAr Compensator (230 kV), for Saudi Electricity Company, Saudi Arabia.
Role: Thomas Magg has worked in numerous roles on the above projects including project manager, project engineer for the conceptual design, preparation of technical specifications, tender evaluation, design reviews and technical support during project implementation.
AUAS 400KV 330MVAR SVC PROJECT, NAMPOWER, NAMIBIA (1998 – 2001)
The project was the development and implementation of a 400kV 330MVAr SVC.
Role: Project Engineer/Resident Engineer. Responsibilities included the complete project engineering of a 400 kV 330 MVAr Static VAR Compensator from analysis of client’s requirements to commercial operation, including preparation of technical specifications and tender documents, tender evaluation, contract compilation, design reviews, witnessing of factory acceptance tests on control and protection system. Assignment as Resident Engineer and Local Project Manager to the client’s offices in Windhoek, Namibia for a period of 18 months during the contractual phase of the SVC project. Responsibilities included local project monitoring of the contractor’s performance on site, resolution of technical and interface issues, planning of the integration of the SVC into the NamPower network in consultation with the Clients technical staff and conducting Performance Acceptance Tests on the SVC after completion of commissioning.
IMPALA, ILLOVO, ATHENE AND MULDERSVLEI SVC PROJECTS, ESKOM, SOUTH AFRICA (1991 – 1998)
These projects included the implementation of four large Static Var Compensators in the Eskom transmission network.
Role: Member of a project team responsible for the complete project engineering of 400kV and 275kV Static VAr Compensators from basic engineering studies to commercial operation, training and consulting service on operation and maintenance of SVC’s. Responsibilities included: development of technical specifications, coordination of tender evaluation, design clarifications and design reviews, witnessing of factory tests on control and protection systems on real time simulators, planning and witnessing of acceptance tests on site, compilation and presentation of courses on SVC’s to network planning, system operations and maintenance engineers, performance monitoring of SVC’s during operation.