Image source: ABB
A multi-million euro order for the design and construction of the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system for the DolWin5 offshore wind project has been awarded to the ABB Power Grids business. The project is set to deliver 900MW of carbon-free electricity, enough to power around 1 million households, from three wind farms located about 100km off the coast of Germany.
The order includes the converter platform, which will be in the North Sea, and the onshore converter station in Elden, Lower Saxony, Germany. Electricity transmission system operator TenneT will provide the power links to the offshore wind farm in this cluster.
ABB's HVDC technology is used to transport the energy generated at offshore wind farms by converting the alternate current (AC) to direct current (DC) on the platform. This makes it possible to transmit the generated energy along a 130km long DC cable with minimal losses to the mainland.
At the onshore converter station, the power is converted back to AC and integrated into the national transmission grid.
ABB's HVDC connection solutions are specifically designed to address challenged specific to the offshore wind industry, including keeping a low carbon footprint and low costs. Conversion losses are also kept very low using this technology.
“Our innovative HVDC technology, worldwide expertise, deep understanding of the renewables integration challenges, our partnership approach and close collaboration with TenneT, were key differentiators in winning this project,” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids business.
The project is part of Germany's "Energiewende" (Energy Transition) plan to make 65% of its power come from renewable sources by 2030. In a decade, the country has grown its offshore wind production from zero to 6,382MW, making it the second largest offshore wind producer in the world, after the UK.
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