UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
HVDC – life after due diligence and the case for standardisation
6/9/2023
8 min read
Feature
As HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission becomes integral to our evolving energy system, asset owners and developers must be acutely aware of the pitfalls and challenges when considering long-term economics. Tim Miles, Managing Director Europe for PSC Consulting, argues that for HVDC, like other transmission assets, due diligence is about digging into the details. But more challenges with this technology are already evident.
HVDC technology is being increasingly deployed owing to its controllability and efficiency in transporting electrical energy over long distances. The shift towards renewable, but often remote, dispersed and variable means of electricity generation imposes a very different operation profile on the transmission infrastructure, and hence these features of HVDC assets are set to become essential in delivering the energy transition.
A large proportion of renewable generation, especially offshore wind, takes place far away from the load centres where this energy is utilised. Therefore, the electrical network needs a sufficient transmission capability to unlock the installation of large-capacity renewable resources and HVDC transmission is well suited for creating such energy highways.
In the UK, multiple HVDC projects are earmarked for the purpose of enabling the installation of higher wind generation capacity, such as the National Grid and Scottish Power (SPEN) Eastern Green Link (EGL1) connecting the Torness area in East Lothian to Hawthorn Pit between Murton and South Hetton in County Durham. This 2 GW, £1.2bn subsea HVDC link is one of four planned to improve the transmission capacity between windy Scotland and power-hungry England.