HVDC Interconnectors

[dan_b]

HVDC is more efficient over long distances and the cost of the converter stations has reduced with new modern power switching systems. HVDC is hugely better than HVAC when going through water. I think the world's longest sub-sea HVAC link is only about 120km or something like that.

I don’t suppose that the HVDC connectors are the ‘be all and end all’ of international import/export. Quite possibly HVDC is more efficient than HVAC?

Whatever is going on, I expect the russians are closely monitoring how the european gas stocks are changing….

[Stinsy]

Quite possibly HVDC is more efficient than HVAC?

The reason to use HVDC vs HVAC to interconnect two grids is that DC avoids the requirement to synchronise both grids.

[Oliver90owner]

Yes, I know the advantages - but France has a border with Belgium, so some power is likely just conducted between their respective AC grids and doesn’t show up on the usual internet sites like Gridwatch.

HVDC cables also need much less conductor (Copper) due to the continuous current rather than the sinusoidal wave form of AC. Conductor cross section can theoretically be a factor of 1.414 smaller for the same I^2R losses? That is a lot of Copper over a long distance.

[dan_b]

I'm sure I've read that these very long HVDCs are moving over to aluminium conductors for weight and cost considerations.

[Stinsy]

I'm sure I've read that these very long HVDCs are moving over to aluminium conductors for weight and cost considerations.

I thought they alway were Aluminium? Copper is way too expensive for long distance cables...

[Adokforme]

Now this really is a long distance HVDC Interconnector which, if feasible, opens up all sorts of time shifting energy possibilities around the world!

Chile wants to export solar energy to Asia via 15,000km submarine cable

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/11/15/ ... ine-cable/

[Stinsy]

This project would be 5x longer than the current longest HVDC link and (and!) would carry 10x the power of the current most powerful HVDC link.

Can’t see that happening for $2bn.

[Adokforme]

Yep Stinsy, it does seem a tad optimistic but hopefully there is some basis to the announcement. Perhaps further information will come out later, or not, if it's just pie in the sky. I believe the $2bn quoted related merely to a cable length of 1,300kms as opposed to it's entire length.

[dan_b]

If groups are planning feasibility for these ultra long subsea UHVDC interconnectors, it might mean that the planned link from Iceland to Scotland, which did seem ridiculous and unfeasible just a few years ago might suddenly become reasonable and achievable again soon?

Given we've already got the 720km long North Sea Link, 1200km to Iceland might not be so insane after all?

[Andy]

I was wondering how plate tectonics might get in the way. Seems like it won’t. https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/tbZsr3w ... 2241ff.jpg