RESEARCHERS from two Scottish universities are taking part in a project to boost the development of “meshed” offshore grids to link windfarms with the mainland.
Aberdeen and Strathclyde are part of PROMOTioN, a four-year European initiative that is investigating the technology used in the process – high-voltage direct current (HVDC) grid protection systems and circuit breakers, and diode rectifier converters.
HVDC transmits large amounts of electricity over long distances and the converters transform wind power into electricity. Together they are expected to shape the offshore grid of the future.
The project is being coordinated by DNV GL, an international certification and classification body specialising in technical assessment and risk management, and involves 34 partners from 34 countries.
It is funded under the EU Horizon 2020 research programme and is its biggest energy project.
A meshed or interconnected grid as envisaged by the researchers could bring significant benefits in many areas – financial, technical and environmental.
The high cost of converter technology, a lack of experience with protection systems and fault clearance components are a barrier to the deployment of HVDC grids. There are also some legal and regulatory barriers, as well as financial issues.
A regulatory and financial framework is expected to be developed for the coordinated planning, construction and operation of integrated offshore infrastructures, including an offshore grid deployment plan, or roadmap, for the future offshore grid system in Europe.
Marie Donelly, from the EC’s Directorate General for Energy, said: “There is great potential in the Northern Seas to deliver significant quantities of clean energy, helping us both to decarbonise our economy and to increase the security of our energy supply.
“We think that an offshore grid in the North Sea could become a flagship project for regional cooperation as foreseen by the Energy Union.”
Elisabeth Harstad, CEO of DNV GL Energy, added: “Combining new HVDC technologies within present systems is instrumental in bringing large-scale renewables into the grid and to ensure a future-proof grid which is affordable, reliable and sustainable.
“By bringing in our 90 years of expertise in power systems, renewable technologies and experience in leading many joint industry projects, I am confident DNV GL can guide the consortium in realising this important project.”
The consortium behind the project includes all major HVDC manufacturers, transmission system operators linked to the North Sea, wind turbine suppliers, offshore wind developers, leading academics, and consulting companies.
Stakeholder workshops are being organised during the project phase to discuss various technological and regulatory approaches.
DNV GL – which also produces regular updates on the oil and gas sectors – has more than 2,500 energy experts worldwide involved in supporting the delivery of a sustainable energy supply.
It has expertise in on- and offshore wind power, solar, conventional generation, transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy use, as well as energy markets and regulations.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here