DNV GL has announced a new recommended practice to help ensure safe connection of offshore wind farms to the transmission grid using high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) technology.
Through a joint project, the company teamed up with the Swedish Transmission Research Institute and nearly a dozen industry players to develop a methodology for technology qualification of offshore HVDC.
DNV GL says that because offshore wind farms are being built farther from the coast and more offshore oil and gas installations are powered from shore, there will be an increasing need for long-distance underwater power transmission and HVDC will often be the preferred solution. However, the company adds, operational experiences with offshore HVDC transmission technologies are very limited, and there is a lack of relevant standards, guidelines and recommendations for stakeholders to rely on.
‘Implementation of new technology always introduces uncertainties that imply risk for its developers, manufacturers and end-users," says DNV GL's Peter Vaessen. "With this technology qualification, we enable our customers to provide the evidence that the technology used will function within the specified limits with an acceptable level of confidence. Customers can ensure that each step is agreed in advance with the technology provider and the buyer, whilst delivering projects on time.’
DNV GL says the new recommended practice is based on the company's methodology for technology qualification, which has been used extensively for managing technology risks in the oil and gas industry for more than a decade.
Project partners included industry players ABB, Alstom Grid, DONG Energy, Elia, Europacable, Scottish Power, Statkraft, Statnett, Statoil, Svenska Kraftnat and Vattenfall. The recommended practice is available for download here.
