Nauders substation

Over 600 visitors to the APG substation in Nauders

At the beginning of June, the national Austrian electricity grid operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) offered all interested parties a unique opportunity: the APG substation in Nauders opened its doors to the public.

Visitors were invited to take a close-up look at the state-of-the-art technology of the new Nauders substation and understand the dimensions of the impressive high-voltage system during guided tours organized and conducted by the plant operations specialists at the APG substation in West Tyrol (Haiming): In total, over 600 people took advantage of the rare opportunity to see the otherwise hidden switchgear and transformers that supply our everyday lives with electricity.

Unbridled energy: over 300 enthusiastic pupils

In the morning, over 300 pupils from Volkssuche Nauders and other schools from the region flocked to APG's information day. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they visited the substation to find out what it takes to ensure that electricity is reliably available at home around the clock. The kids between the ages of six and 14 also visibly enjoyed the stations of the supporting program: under the supervision of the Nauders mountain rescue team, they climbed a practice electricity pylon erected by APG line fitters, generated their own electricity for a bicycle-powered Carrera track, and enjoyed the view with the help of the APG lift truck and turntable ladder from the Nauders volunteer fire department. The young visitors were also fascinated by plugging in circuits and building funny animals with electrician's materials.</p

Video of the official commissioning

New power connection to Italy officially in operation

The new Reschen Pass line between Austria and Italy and with it the new Nauders substation (Tyrol) are going into full operation as planned. At the invitation of Austrian Power Grid (APG), Tyrol's Deputy Governor Josef Geisler, Maria Rosaria Guarniere, Director of Technology and Transmission Asset Realization TERNA, Erich Entstrasser, CEO TIWAG and APG Supervisory Board member, and APG board members Gerhard Christiner and Thomas Karall took part in today's commissioning ceremony in Nauders.

The first 220-kilovolt high-voltage line between North and South Tyrol runs from the new APG substation in Nauders to the TERNA substation in Glurns, Italy. Over a distance of around 27 kilometers, the Reschen Pass line improves the power supply in the border region. In APG's high-voltage grid, it also makes a decisive contribution to the secure energy transition in Austria. On the way to a climate-friendly energy future, however, the commissioning of the facility marks an important milestone, particularly at European level: a significantly increased transmission capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) is now available for the international exchange of predominantly sustainable electricity from renewable energy sources. This connected load is roughly twice the capacity of the central Innsbruck area. Developed as a joint project between the two grid operators, the project was completed within a construction period of 3.5 years. APG invested around 90 million euros in the new substation site in Nauders and the 1.2 km long underground cable system on the Austrian side. A further 80 million euros were invested on the Italian side.
Reliable power supply in the region, Austria and throughout Europe

Deputy Governor Josef Geisler emphasized the importance of efficient infrastructure for a reliable power supply: "In order for us to achieve the energy transition in Tyrol, Austria and Europe, we need two things above all else in addition to renewable energy from domestic resources: energy storage and efficient power grids, including across borders. With the new Reschen Pass line, we are taking another major step towards a renewable energy future that will make us independent of fossil fuels. The expansion of renewable energy, especially from wind and solar power, must be in harmony with energy storage systems such as pumped hydroelectric power and grid expansion. This will ensure grid stability and security of supply and make us independent of autocratic systems."

As a key player in the energy industry, APG is paving the way for Austria's secure energy transition with its electricity infrastructure. APG Chief Technology Officer Gerhard Christiner on the systemic effects of this transformation: "The intensive use of hydropower in western Austria and the planned further expansion of wind power and photovoltaics in Italy and Europe will lead to an increased exchange of electricity between all countries in the Alpine region. In order to manage this, new line and substation capacities are required. Such capacities are particularly important in order to make sustainable electricity available to all consumers. The lack of important power lines has cost grid customers an average of 121 million euros over the past five years - every year! I am therefore extremely pleased to be able to celebrate the commissioning of the Reschen Pass line and the Nauders substation today. Projects such as these are essential building blocks for the secure success of the energy transition and the sustainable electrification of the economy, industry and society in Tyrol and throughout Austria. Implementing our 9 billion euro investment program for the domestic electricity supply by 2034 is therefore the order of the day."
 </p

New electricity connection with Italy: Nauders substation and 220 kV Reschen Pass line in operation

APG invested around 90 million euros in the future of renewable energy and a secure power supply

The electricity is flowing: Austria's transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) and its Italian counterpart TERNA have put the new 220-kilovolt line between the new APG substation in Nauders and the Glorenza substation (South Tyrol) into operation. Over a distance of around 27 kilometers, a capacity of up to 300 megawatts is now available for the international exchange of mainly sustainable electricity from renewable energy sources. The multi-million euro investment will also improve the electricity supply in the Austrian-Italian border region.

The new 220 kV line will be connected to the new Nauders substation via a 380 kV switchgear, a 380/220 kV transformer, two 220/220 kV phase-shifting transformers and a 220 kV switchgear. The Nauders substation is in turn connected to the Austrian electricity grid via a 380 kV line that leads to the APG substation in West Tyrol. APG has invested a total of 91.5 million euros in this project over the past three and a half years.

Increased transmission capacity between Austria and Italy

The new line, the new transformers and the new substation will significantly increase transmission capacity between Austria and Italy. According to Christoph Schuh, company spokesman for APG, the new connection is of enormous importance for achieving the climate targets: "The intensive use of hydropower in western Austria and the planned further expansion of wind power and photovoltaics in Italy and Europe will lead to an increased exchange of electricity between all countries in the Alpine region. In order to be able to manage this, new line and substation capacities are required. Such capacities are particularly important in order to make affordable electricity available to all consumers."

Investments such as these are necessary in order to guarantee a secure electricity supply, even under the requirements of the energy future. "APG is investing nine billion euros in the domestic electricity infrastructure by 2034. These investments are the key to meeting the requirements of the future, ensuring the success of the energy transition and the electrification of Tyrol and Austria's economy, industry and society," says Schuh.</p

155 tons of heavy transport for a secure power supply

Delivery of the first part of the transformer for the new Nauders substation

On Tuesday (6 September), the first of three transformer parts - with a transport weight of around 155 tons - was delivered to the new Nauders substation of Austrian Power Grid (APG). The transport started six days ago at the Siemens plant in Weiz, Styria, from where it was transported by rail to Landeck. A crane was used to lift the colossus onto a heavy-duty transporter, and after a spectacular journey lasting several hours spread over two days - in the evening hours - the so-called transformer leg finally reached the Nauders substation. There it was then carefully unloaded from the transporter and, thanks to extremely precise work, placed on special rails with millimetre accuracy and finally pulled onto its foundations. The two further transports of the transformer parts are to be completed by September 20 - after which the 380/220 kV transformer will be finished. In October, two additional 220 kV phase-shifting transformers weighing several tons and a 220 kV oil reactor will be transported to the substation.

The Nauders substation is at the heart of a new electricity connection between Italy (Glorenza substation in Vinschgau) and Austria (Nauders substation). A 220 kV line is being built on this route by the Austrian transmission system operator APG and the Italian transmission system operator Terna. On the Austrian side, a single-system 220 kV high-voltage cable system is being built from the Nauders substation to the national border. With the new 380/220 kV transformer, this new line will be integrated into an existing 380 kV APG line that runs to the APG substation in West Tyrol. In total, APG is investing around 91.5 million euros in Nauders - commissioning is planned for the end of 2023.

For full details, please see the press release.

We also filmed the road transport: