Achieving Climate Neutrality
Context
The European Commission considers that massive offshore wind power is needed by 2050 to achieve the renewables targets necessary to maintain global temperature rise below 1.5°C. HVDC grid technologies are a key enabler in achieving this goal, and fulfilling Europe’s low-carbon energy ambition. The HVDC-WISE project will propose a number of reliable and resilient HVDC grid configurations that will lay the groundwork for a future integrated EU-GB transmission system.
HVDC grid systems can be thought of as superhighways for electric power transmission and can be essential buffers between isolated systems of large capacity. HVDC can more efficiently transfer power over long distances, with reduced power losses, than an equivalent AC transmission network. This type of grid can also deliver renewable energy to certain hard-to-electrify sectors. Finally, HVDC cables have a much higher power density and a reduced visual impact. All of these factors combined make HVDC an attractive option for electricity transport in long distance submarine applications, such as the transportation to shore of offshore wind.
The HVDC-WISE project will test its approaches, tools and models on a specific GB replica of the third Eastern HVDC reinforcement between Scotland and England, which has the potential to become part of a holistic integrated network solution. Within this solution, together with potential island connections and an embedded HVDC connection transmitting the power along GBs’ eastern coastline, access of up to 5.2 GW of renewable energy could be enabled.
In addition to this GB network, more demonstration cases based in continental Europe will be created and tested using advanced simulation modelling. Market simulations will be performed to derive time series of dispatches of generation, flexible demand, and interconnector transfers. Dynamic assessments will be conducted to test firewall capabilities and the benefits of differently configured HVDC systems. Lessons will be drawn on which parameters significantly impact the obtained grid configurations as well as how regulatory frameworks impact the integration of renewable energies.
