Hitachi Energy has been selected by Marinus Link Pty Ltd to supply a high-voltage direct current ‘project of national significance’, which will augment the connection between mainland Australia and Tasmania’s grid.
The approximately 345 km cable route HVDC system will enable the flow of renewable power in both directions between the Victorian and Tasmanian states.
For the first time in Australia, Marinus Link will use advanced converter technology at both ends of the link to stabilise and integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy sources into the power grid.
The connection will enable the Tasmanian state to import any excess of solar and wind produced in Victoria, while reserving its hydro, and storing the extra energy. Clean hydropower can then feed the mainland grid when it is needed most, acting as a large battery for the nation. Moreover, it strengthens the security of supply in the Australian power grid in which electricity is increasingly generated from sustainable energy. Hitachi Energy will supply its HVDC Light voltage source converter (VSC) stations in the first stage of the project.
Upon completion of both project stages, Marinus Link will have a total capacity of 1500 MW. In line with Australia’s Net Zero ambitions, as coal-fuelled generation is retired, this link is expected to result in saving up to 140 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2050.
Australia has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 % below 2005 levels by 2030. Marinus Link is a project of national significance that will play a fundamental role in the two states’ energy ecosystem in which the power infrastructure requires a major overhaul to satisfy the growing electrical demands and guarantee a constant and reliable power flow through Australia’s transition to renewable energy
“Marinus Link is a cornerstone project of the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Plan and is classified as urgent in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s national energy plan,” said Caroline Wykamp, CEO of Marinus Link Pty Ltd. “The Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments recently entered an historic agreement for joint ownership of Marinus Link, securing it as a critical transmission project for Australia.”
