DNV GL and the Swedish Transmission Research Institute (STRI) has together with ten industry players in a joint industry project developed a new recommended practice for technology qualification of offshore HVDC technologies.
As 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 in the years to come.
Use of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology allows power transmission over longer distances and higher capacities compared to what is feasible with AC transmission. However, still many industry players consider these technologies to constitute an unacceptable risk, due to the limited experience and the lack of relevant standards within offshore HVDC.
“Although HVDC transmission systems have been deployed offshore, there is a lack of relevant standards, guidelines and recommendations for offshore use on which stakeholders can rely. The new recommended practice for technology qualification of HVDC technologies has been developed with the intention of significantly reducing the risks associated with the deployment of these technologies.” said Peter Vaessen, Segment Director, Energy at DNV GL.
The new recommended practice is based on DNV’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.
Peter Vaessen added: “Implementation of new technology always introduces uncertainties that imply risk for its developers, manufacturers and end-users. With technology qualification, we enable our clients to provide the evidence that the technology used will function within the specified limits with an acceptable level of confidence.”
To ensure that the industry’s demands are met, the RP has been developed through a Joint Industry with ABB, Alstom Grid, DONG Energy, Elia, Europacable, Scottish Power, Statkraft, Statnett, Statoil, Svenska Kraftnät and Vattenfall. The RP has also been sent on hearing to all major stakeholders not directly involved in the project.
The HVDC recommended practice will be launched at the CIGRE session event on the 25th – 29th August in Paris. Peter Vaessen will be at the DNV GL booth to advice on the scope and impact of the Joint Industry Project.