Czech PSTs are ready to launch in 2017

21.09.2016

In early June 2016, three of the four phase-shifting transformers (PSTs) ordered by the Czech transmission system operator (TSO) and TSC member ČEPS were delivered to the northern Bohemian substation in Hradec u Kadaně. The delivery of the fourth and last custom-made PST has been delayed since the device did not pass the TSO’s acceptance tests at the Italian factory where it was built. “The safety of operation of the transmission system is the foremost priority for us,” explains Jan Kalina, Chairman of the ČEPS Board of Directors.

Despite the delay of the fourth PST, the ČEPS engineers are completing the installation of the already delivered machines according to the company’s schedule. The launching of the PSTs is expected in the first quarter of 2017 although the delivery date of the last transformer is still uncertain. Kalina points out that “the detected defect is being rectified at the factory” and that ČEPS is negotiating with the supplier.

The technically advanced PSTs with phase angle regulation are more complex than standard transformers. They are unique in Czechia and consist of two separate units in individual containers that are electrically connected. PSTs regulate the electrical power flow in electric networks. The new acquisitions will help ČEPS to attain the maximum electricity flow within the Czech transmission system without compromising on grid stability and supply security. On a European level, the operation of the ČEPS PSTs together with similar transformers operating at the German-Polish border will stabilise transnational electricity flows.

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Good results for the Czech grid

30.08.2016

In the first six months of 2016, TSC member ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator (TSO), has achieved a pretax profit of CZK1.2b. The good results come along with a confirmation of the current A2 rating by Moody’s, one of the world’s most important credit ratings agencies. The excellent rating helps the TSO to defray the costs for ensuring security of supply. “We continue developing the transmission system extensively, which involves considerable investments,” says Jan Kalina, Chairman of the Board of ČEPS.

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ČEPS reports on first quarter

09.06.2016

Good news from TSC member ČEPS – the Czech transmission system operator (TSO) announced that businesses went well in the first quarter of 2016: In comparison to last year’s corresponding period, the company’s profit increased by 3.9 million Czech korunas leading to a total profit of 713 million Czech korunas before taxes. Besides that, ČEPS reports a decrease of revenues from system services of about 157 million Czech korunas. According to Jan Kalina, Chairman of the Board of ČEPS, this is “caused by a change of reporting in the system” with regard to methods of accounting adjustment of distribution companies. Kalina expects a value leveling of accounting adjustment “during and especially at the end of the year”.

ČEPS transferred a total of 16,289GWh of electric energy in 2016’s first three months. Miroslav Vrba, Vice-Chairman of the Board of ČEPS and responsible for dispatching control, reports that there were no major incidents concerning the transmission sytem operation. Only in seven days of the first quarter of 2016 cross-border redispatching was necessary. Redispatching comes to use as last means to ensure grid stability.

Being aware of the risks of cyber threats, ČEPS participated in “Cyber Czech”, a two-day national cybersecurity training program. Preparations against cyber attacks are indispensable and Jan Kalina clearly points out that a malfunction of a TSO “would have a serious impact not only on safety, but also on the economy, public administration and securing basic necessities of life.”

Moreover, ČEPS applied succesfully for a grant from the European Commission program “Connecting Europe Facility”. The granted €1m will be used to prepare and document the construction of new power line projects in Western Bohemia.

Among ČEPS’ current construction projects two are of prime interest: The new power line V458 from Horní Životice to Krasíkov (scheduled for operation this autumn) and the assembly of four phase-shifting transformers for the electrical substation Hradec u Kadaně in northern Bohemia.

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High-tech transformers for the Czech grid

03.06.2016

The Czech transmission system operator (TSO) and TSC member ČEPS gladly announces the arrival of three phase-shifting transformers (PSTs) for the electrical substation Hradec u Kadaně in northern Bohemia, Czech Republic.

The custom-made PSTs are more complex than standard transformers and consist of two separate, yet electrically connected units in individual containers. Built in Italy, they were transported over sea to Hamburg, Germany, and from there on the river Elbe to Lovosice, Bohemia. For the last 90km of the journey the PSTs have to be carried overland. This is an ambitious task: According to Tomáš Petržílka from the Energy Asset Management of ČEPS, “the transport weight of one container is 300 tons”. The last of the four planned PSTs is expected to arrive at the end of July.

PSTs are a technically advanced device that is unique in Czechia. They regulate the electrical power flow in an electric network. The PSTs will help ČEPS to realise the maximum amount of electricity flow within the transmission system without compromising on grid stability and the security of supply. The acquisition of the PSTs is an extraordinary investment, but in the long run ČEPS is going to benefit from the durable high-tech equipment. Jan Kalina, Chairman of the ČEPS Board of Directors, points out, that “the costs of the construction of these transformers are high, but a possible widespread power failure in the transmission system would cause much greater damage”. ČEPS assumes that the PSTs will be taken into operation by the end of 2016.

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Jan Kalina new ČEPS Chairman

02.04.2016

Yesterday, TSC member ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator (TSO), announced that Jan Kalina has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors at the board’s extraordinary meeting. Voting was anonymous.

Kalina graduated from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (Faculty of Electrical Engineering) and was appointed member of the Board of Directors in September 2015.

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ČEPS bids farewell to Tošovský

01.04.2016

With effect from yesterday, the supervisory board of TSC member ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator (TSO), decided to remove Vladimír Tošovský (see picture) from both the position of a member and of the chairman of its board of directors. Tošovský led the company for nearly a decade with a short intermission, when he became the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade.

Karel Pícl, the vice chairman of the supervisory board and director of the operation and maintenance section, will move up to the board of directors. The new chairman will be elected by the members of the board at the earliest opportunity. The TSO’s supervisory board has also voted a new chairman: Jiří Maceška.

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ČEPS profit grow 52%

02.03.2016

The Czech transmission system operator (TSO), TSC member ČEPS, grew profit before taxes by more than 52% (681m) to CZK2.0bn in 2015, influenced by higher revenues from system services and lower costs for the purchase of ancillary services. During the course of the year, the company spent CZK5.6bn on the renewal and development of the transmission system. Throughout the year, a total of 60,563 GWh of electricity was transferred.

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Czech record transmission

06.02.2016

Electric power transmitted by the Czech transmission system operator, TSC member ČEPS, reached an all-time high in 2015. While the electricity export was significantly lower than in 2014, the transit load increased by 40 percent, mainly due to the rising wind power production in Germany.

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ČEPS won a European grant

01.02.2016

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme of the European Commission supports networks and infrastructures in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and energy. TSC member ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator (TSO), successfully applied for a grant for the construction and development of the Czech transmission system and received more than one million Euros from CEF in connection with the construction of two power lines.

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Positive CEE summary

04.01.2016

TSC member ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator (TSO), delivers a positive summary of its second one-year-long chairmanship of the regional grouping of TSOs from the Central-Eastern Europe region (CEE TSO HLM) in the past year. Among the successes lifted out by ČEPS is “the successful transfer of the cross-border transmission capacity calculation and allocation services from the auction office CAO (Central Allocation Office GmbH) to TSCNET Services GmbH”.

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