DNV has issued a set of recommendations and a timeline to build a fully functional offshore HVDC transmission network to support US offshore wind power goals.
As the first phase of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) exploring the feasibility of incorporating high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission into the US grid concludes, these guidelines emerge from collaboration across the sector.
The guidelines incorporate insights from a multitude of stakeholders.
An offshore HVDC transmission system will enable the reliable delivery of this clean electricity to millions of homes and ensure developers and investors achieve a secure return on their investments.
This network is critical to achieving the Biden administration’s goal of bringing 30GW of offshore wind power online by 2030.
The foremost recommendation from this study is for agencies, governor’s offices, developers, HVDC equipment manufacturers, and service providers to work together toward building an offshore transmission system that will unlock the full potential of offshore wind projects, meeting deadlines and budgetary constraints effectively.
Most imperative is an urgent need for states to focus on procuring 320 kV HVDC symmetric monopoles without AC or DC interlinks.
This strategy not only safeguards ongoing project success but also secures continued public backing for offshore wind development.
By using mature technology and a larger fleet of vessels for offshore converter station transportation and installation, this approach minimises risks, providing immediate benefits to existing and upcoming offshore wind projects while bolstering public trust in the industry.
The study also recommends a step-by-step build-up of infrastructure that takes into account the global HVDC equipment market and recent procurements and partnerships in Europe that are driving the market.
The phased approach to procuring and installing an HVDC transmission network is intended to overcome current barriers and create a clear pathway to an offshore transmission network.
“It is crucial to the success of the U.S. offshore wind industry that state agencies and governor’s offices pay greater attention to market constraints and the evolution of offshore transmission technology,” said Richard Barnes (pictured), region president for Energy Systems North America at DNV.
Recommendations include establishing a task force with industry and state participants to review the feasibility of AC mesh solutions given the significant supply chain constraints that have emerged since AC mesh solutions were first envisioned.
Others include enabling the connection of 525 kV HVDC bipole circuits from the Northeast through the Mid-Atlantic and investigating options to reduce the size and weight requirements of offshore platforms for 525 kV HVDC bipoles.