ISA Intercolombia is currently developing 28 power transmission projects in the Andean country, including 1,486km of power lines and 33 substations.
BNamericas speaks to general manager Carlos Mario Caro about how the company is implementing new technologies and prioritizing efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Caro is a speaker at the Energyear event currently being held in Medellín, Colombia.
BNamericas: Could you tell us a little about the main electricity transmission projects that ISA has in Colombia?
Caro: ISA Intercolombia is the leading energy transmission company in the country, the only one with national coverage, which builds, manages, operates and maintains ISA’s electrical infrastructure in Colombia. We operate 70% of the country’s transmission network. We’re currently developing 28 projects, with 1,486km of lines and 33 substations planned for design and construction.
I would like to highlight the Cuestecitas-Copey-Fundación interconnection project at 500/220kV that will help transport non-conventional renewable energies that will be installed in the Guajira area, which will increase the installed capacity of the generation park of the national interconnected grid (SIN) and improve the reliability of services in Guajira, Cesar and Magdalena departments.
Meanwhile, the Sogamoso-La Loma interconnection project at 500kV will bolster the national transmission system in the north of the country and will also facilitate the connection and transport of renewable energies.
And the Colombia-Panama interconnection project, at 300kV, will connect the two countries, integrating the electricity market of the Andean community with the Central American regional electricity market (MER). The line will cover approximately 500km, of which approximately 130km would be underwater. The transport capacity will be 400MW through the technology known as high voltage direct current (HVDC) energy transmission.
BNamericas: The transition to clean energy is gaining momentum in Colombia. What impact does this have on ISA’s approach and business?
Caro: The biggest challenge we have as transmission network operators is to constantly guarantee the reliability of the system. In a scenario of growth in energy generation that will double by 2032, it is essential for transmission to grow and adapt in advance to provide the system with sufficient capacity and reliability to meet that demand.
We’re aware that, with greater electrification of the economy, greater system capacity will be required from transmitters, with the new sources being integrated within a framework of reliability and security. We’re supporting the connection of these new sources to the system. This diversification of the energy matrix creates more demand for the system and, consequently, transmission must adapt to meet these expectations.
BNamericas: What emerging technologies are being adopted by ISA in the energy transmission sector? Are there any initiatives related to green hydrogen or energy storage, or both?
Caro: Electricity networks will have to be more flexible and smarter, maintaining the reliability and resilience of the system as a priority, but with greater demands for affordability and efficiency in service provision. For this purpose, the network of the future in the energy transition needs to incorporate new technologies, efficiently manage energy flows and reduce environmental impacts in the life cycle of its operations. This must take advantage of the available infrastructure and the easements of the existing transmission lines.
The technology that we’re providing at ISA and its companies can be summarized in the following areas:
First, incorporate HVDC technology through the execution of an important 1,350km project in Chile that will allow the integration of large volumes of renewable generation. In Colombia, the transmission project that will allow the incorporation of 3,000MW of renewable generation in La Guajira is also expected to be developed using this technology (HVDC) and participating in the corresponding tender project will be one of ISA’s great challenges. .
Second, incorporate FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) solutions to provide the flexibility that the system requires, through “Smart Valves” projects led by ISA Transelca. This technology allows the improvement of transmission capacity in critical areas of the ISA system. Transelca has been developing projects of this type in Atlántico and Guajira-Cesar-Magdalena.
Third, apply marine cable technology – rare in our region – to make new transmission easements viable. It was used in the Interligação Elétrica Biguaçu project in Brazil and is the basis of the proposed solution, like HVDC, for the Colombia-Panama interconnection.
Fourth, incorporate energy storage technology, a solution that allows electrical energy to be withdrawn from the grid – when there is an excess – and store to deliver it to the system later when required. ISA Cteep developed the first large-scale battery energy storage project in Brazil, and ISA expects to continue developing this type of project in the region and in the country.
Fifth, the adoption of Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR). This is a technology that allows the use of transportation capacity that would not normally be available using the current static methodology. Combining sensors and analytics, offering visibility of the real ampacity of drivers, based on algorithmic models, with which the transportation capacity of existing lines can be operated more efficiently. We have an initiative that we’re starting to work on to begin to learn about the technology and carry out a pilot in Colombia and at Cteep.
The challenge is the effective incorporation of technology to improve the operation of the system by optimizing redispatches or applying it in flow control devices.
Sixth, new lightweight insulation components. Rigid and lightweight polymeric insulation equipment applicable in the reconfiguration of insulation in transmission lines. A solution is currently being implemented in Peru.
BNamericas: What are the biggest challenges facing investors in the Colombian electricity sector?
Caro: Energy transmission projects share a purpose and that is to guarantee the adequate operation and reliable capacity of the national transmission system. With this I want to point out that a single project in itself does not solve all the needs of the system if the others don’t go into operation. Therefore, high-voltage energy transmission projects such as Sogamoso-La Loma and Fundación-Copey-Cuestecitas are vital to expand the capacity of the system and they require the support of the State to expedite the procedures that allow the works to be completed successfully and thus provide the country with greater capacity, resilience and reliability.
We also understand the challenge of the sector and as a country that means achieving forward-thinking planning, modernization and expansion of support infrastructure on land and at sea to facilitate the development, storage, distribution, transmission and consumption of renewable energy.
Likewise, the permitting process and procedures with the State require an approach with relevance to projects that will contribute to the decarbonization of the energy matrix, with a timely response from the relevant authorities for the permitting process, authorizations and procedures, which encourage the advance of projects in compliance with standards, environmental protection and community participation, but which also allow the development of the sector to meet the needs of the country.
Finally, technical-operational anticipation is necessary to give greater traction to the development of the national transmission network, in accordance with the speed at which new generation projects arrive in the system and guaranteeing that the reliability of the transmission network is in accordance with this dynamic. Territorial anticipation is also needed to understand the environment and act with the purpose of building relationships based on trust, in a triad of company-community-State.
BNamericas: And what are the main opportunities?
Caro: I would like to highlight new technologies. The network in Colombia must evolve because renewable energies have characteristics that require greater reliability in terms of supportability. Likewise, it’s important that projects that include storage are promoted and are incorporated into the system, so that these NCREs [non-conventional sources of renewable energy] can be helped to enter the electrical system in a calm and reliable manner.
We’re also convinced that, through greater generation of development opportunities for the communities in the areas of influence of all these projects, we can take advantage of the energy transition in a relationship of trust with the projects, companies and public transition policy. Finally, regional integration is a great opportunity, since it provides flexibility and resilience to systems, connecting new energy hubs, allowing them to complement, share and make better use of available resources.
BNamericas: Is ISA concerned about delays in solar and wind projects, and their connections, in the north of the country? How can Colombia resolve this situation and guarantee the completion of these projects?
Caro: The energy transition in Latin America is taking place at an accelerated pace. All countries are working to have a diverse and clean matrix as quickly as possible. However, greater integrity is necessary in the joint effort to take advantage of the complementarity of systems and resources.
It’s essential to have effective and relevant regulation that allows the arrival of new technologies and possibilities to expand the capacity of the system through different possibilities offered by the market today. We must renew and update current regulations to allow discussion about new technologies, storage and their arrival in the country with greater certainty for future investments. We also need more flexible regulations and requirements that allow project construction times to be reduced, seeking to ensure that the transmission is ready for all NCRE generation projects that are going to enter the system.
We also see the need for the entire energy sector, and particularly new promoters, to have greater knowledge and understanding of the current regulatory framework, the procedures, permits and licenses required to operate. These new market agents must be aware of the regulations of the sector and the business risks in the regions.
Finally, the technical challenges are becoming fewer. Today we face social and cultural dynamics that test our capacity for understanding and dialogue with communities. Building trust is and will always be our greatest challenge and achievement as a company.
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