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HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:41 pm
by dan_b
My obsession with HVDC interconnectors continues unabated!

In the news today is that the North Sea Link between the UK and Norway will start testing powerflows through the 720km, 1.4GW interconnection this week, with commissioning due to be complete by October.

I will at some point update my spreadsheet just to keep on top of it all :lol:

https://www.ft.com/content/399c1c37-3f7 ... 741df01135

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:24 pm
by GarethC
Ah, a mainstay of the old forum.

This is pretty helpful, isn't it, as Norway's electricity is low carbon due to a lot of hydroelectric, am I right?

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:49 pm
by dan_b
Norway's electricity grid is at least 98% renewable, almost all of which comes from hydro

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:53 pm
by dan_b
Ooh, I get to post another update!

Eleclink, the HVDC interconnector that is routed via the Channel Tunnel - they've actually finally completed the cable pull! Commissioning expected early 2022.

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:34 pm
by Tinbum
We just had a couple of people round last week looking at the habitat for the SEGL2 link.

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 11:00 am
by dan_b
700MW of power currently flowing through the North Sea Link in testing...

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Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 11:32 am
by nowty
dan_b wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 11:00 am 700MW of power currently flowing through the North Sea Link in testing...

Image
And according to wikapedia, thats ONLY half power.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea_Link

So at 700MW and 515kV, I make it about 1,360 Amps.

In comparison my 70mm2 DC home battery cable is good up to around 300A.
But I have to admit, the voltage is a tad lower, like 10,000 times lower and the cable is about 36,000 times shorter. :shock:

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:31 pm
by dan_b
Indeed, it's a 1.4GW pipe, as are quite a few of the other HVDCs being built or in planning at the moment. Here's my handy chart!


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Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:35 pm
by dan_b
Pales into insignificance really compared to what they're doing in China with HVDCs to link their various provinces together.
The Zhundong–Wannan link is 3300km long, runs at 1100kV and transmits 12GW of power. Best not to stick your fingers in that one.

Re: HVDC Interconnectors

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 2:08 pm
by Stinsy
dan_b wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:35 pm Pales into insignificance really compared to what they're doing in China with HVDCs to link their various provinces together.
The Zhundong–Wannan link is 3300km long, runs at 1100kV and transmits 12GW of power. Best not to stick your fingers in that one.
I'd hate to have the headache of how to insulate a million volt plus cable!

Are all these HVDC connections a single conductor referenced to earth at both ends?