Siemens is developing transmission technology to enable several small offshore converter platforms to replace the separate AC substations and HVDC platforms usually used on offshore wind farms.
The new AC/DC platform wills feature up to two 200MW modules directly connected to a wind farm.
Three of these platforms can be connected sequentially allowing the export of 1.2GW of electricity to an onshore substation via DC connections.
Siemens said the new technology will cost 30% less than the current options available in the offshore market.
The system can also transfer 33% more capacity than the current technology and reduce transmission losses down to around 3% from 20%, it said.
Siemens said the technology is based on encapsulated high-voltage electrical equipment using diode rectifier units to replace the current air-insulated transistor modules.
The company said the system should be market ready by June next year.
The first potential markets could be Germany and the UK, the manufacturer said.
Image: Siemens turbines could soon be grid connected using the new system (Siemens)
Siemens rocks AC/DC offshore
Modular system designed to cut costs by 30%, reduce transmission losses
By EBS