Turning power quality into a competitive advantage for Xinsteel with SVC Light® STATCOM
Customer Story | 1 min read
Stable power quality is an important element for industries in accelerating toward cleaner and more efficient operations. In China, Hitachi Energy supported Xinsteel, a leading steel producer, in strengthening the power supply for its 130‑ton electric arc furnace, which operated on a grid with constrained system strength and experienced severe voltage fluctuations. By delivering an advanced SVC Light® STATCOM solution, Hitachi Energy helped stabilize operations, reduce flicker, and enable continuous, efficient steel production of the electric arc furnace, leading to higher steel production capacity.
Challenge
During the upgrade to its 130‑ton furnace, Xinsteel needed to ensure steady and reliable power for round‑the‑clock steelmaking. The furnace operated on a section of the grid that had constraints when supplying large, rapidly changing loads, resulting in noticeable voltage swings and flicker. To maintain stable operations, meet grid requirements and fully utilize the furnace’s capacity, Xinsteel required a solution that could respond quickly to changing conditions and keep voltage levels steady.
Solution
Hitachi Energy supplied an SVC Light® STATCOM with a voltage-source converter based on powerful IGCT semiconductors and modular multilevel converter technology, providing fast voltage support for Xinsteel’s 130‑ton electric arc furnace. The MACH control system reacts in less than a millisecond to smooth voltage changes and reduce flicker, helping maintain consistent furnace operation. Its compact, modular design fits the site layout and leaves space for future expansion.
Fast dynamic voltage support for stable and optimal EAF operations
Reduction in flicker up to 7 times
Savings in opex costs and energy loss
Compact design enabling future expansion
Impact
Since commissioning, Xinsteel has seen steadier furnace performance, significantly lower flicker, improved power factor and harmonic performance, and compliance with power quality requirements, supporting reliable 24‑hour operation of the upgraded furnace. The solution has also delivered more than USD 3 million in operating expenditure savings and up to USD 500,000 in energy‑loss savings, while further reducing energy losses and strengthening the stability of the plant’s power supply, helping enable efficient and continuous steel production.
Better control of operations despite a changing grid
Enhanced reliability of supply and improved power quality
Enabling sustainable steelmaking
Grid code compliance and a good neighbor on the grid
UN Sustainability Goals
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