Engineering news
ABB, a global power and automation technology leader, has won a $450 million contract to link the power grids of the United Kingdom and Norway, increasing security of power supply for both countries and supporting the integration of more renewable wind and hydroelectric power into their networks.
The contract with Statnett, the state-owned network operator in Norway, and National Grid will see ABB supply high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations at both ends of the North Sea Network (NSN) Link between Norway and the UK.
ABB will design, engineer, supply and commission the two ±525 kV, 1,400MW converter stations, using its Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology, called HVDC Light. One station will be situated in Blyth, UK and one in Kvilldal, Norway.
The NSN link will have the capacity to transmit 1,400MW of power passing through Norwegian and British waters. The 730km link will be the world’s longest subsea power interconnection, expected to enter commercial operation in 2021.
When wind power generation is high and electricity demand low in the UK, power will flow via the link to Norway, allowing it to conserve water in its reservoirs. When demand is high in the UK, but there isn't enough wind, electricity from Norway’s hydroelectric plants will flow to the UK.
Ulrich Spiesshofer, ABB chief executive, said: “HVDC is a core technology pioneered by ABB and a key business focus in our Next Level strategy. This success also underlines that our Power Systems division is making solid progress on its return to profitable and sustainable growth.”
Claudio Facchin, president of ABB Power Systems division, added: "HVDC is a proven solution for the integration of renewables and the reliable and efficient long distance transmission of power, often subsea or underground” said . ”This project is the 18th HVDC cross-border interconnection to be executed by ABB in Europe and we are pleased to play our part in enabling a more integrated European energy network.”
ABB has been awarded about 100 HVDC projects since it launched HVDC technology more than 60 years ago, representing a total installed capacity of more than 120,000MW and accounting for about half the global installed base. The NSN link is the fifth significant HVDC Light order awarded to ABB during the past year.