ABB has won an order worth about $180 million from utilities Statnett of Norway and Energinet.dk of Denmark to supply HVDC Light converter stations to support the interconnection of the Norwegian and Danish power grids. The 500 kV link represents a new record in transmission voltage using this technology.
The underwater link will boost transmission capacity between the mainly hydroelectric-based Norwegian system and the wind and thermal power-based Danish system. It will enable each network to add more renewable energy to its energy mix.
ABB will design, supply and commission two 700 MW converter stations based on the company’s HVDC Light technology. The converter stations will be located at each end of the 240 km long interconnection, and will be situated at the same site as the existing converter stations for Skagerrak 1-3 (also supplied by ABB) in Kristiansand, Norway and Tjele, Denmark. The bipolar link will be operated with the Skagerrak 3 transmission system. An advanced control system, ABB’s MACH2, will also be installed. The project is scheduled for commissioning in 2014.
This HVDC Light solution, says ABB, will boost power capacity, enable better load balancing in both grids, reduce the impact of power system disturbances and contribute to the stability and reliability of the grids. The higher voltage level will also help minimise transmission losses.
