BSP substation will provide essential power boost for London Underground
The current major project to create a new Bulk Supply Point (BSP) for London Underground (LU) provides a perfect example of ABB’s capability to deliver a complete design, project management and construction service for rail substation projects. This capability that not only includes all the electrical equipment, but also cabling and the very substantial civil works required to create a new substation building within an extremely restricted footprint.
Transport for London (TfL) has a number of existing 132 kV BSPs that supply power for LU. This additional BSP is now needed to increase the available power to support the full operation of new air-conditioned rolling stock that, since 2010, is being phased in on the sub-surface (SSL) lines – the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan.
The BSP’s desired 120 MW capacity dictated that it should be located relatively close to a grid supply point. It also had to be located close to the LU infrastructure in order for the necessary cable connections to be made between it and the existing distribution system. The most appropriate site for the new BSP substation was identified adjacent to an underground station.