OFFSHORE NETWORK APPROACH IN

GRID CONNECTION OF
OFFSHORE WIND PARKS

Mehrdad Boloorchi, P.Eng.

September2010

1
General

 Objective:
 To Discuss network topology or grid connection
configuration when connecting several offshore wind
parks located in the same area to the transmission grid.

 Assumption:
 There is no concern about available transfer capability, in
other words, transmission grid is capable of reliably
transferring the wind power generated in the offshore
area to other areas of consumption over all transmission
lines.

2
Grid connection of an offshore wind
park
 The electrical connection system of an offshore
wind park includes:
a. A collector system which transfers WTG power to the offshore
collection point. The voltage level of the collector system is
normally at 34.5kV.
b. Transmission Link to the mainland. Depending on the conditions
stated below HVAC or HVDC systems will be used for
Transmission Link.
The type of Transmission Link depends on
(1) Wind Park size, and
(2) Distance from sea shore.

3
Impact of Wind Park Size and Distance
from Seashore on Transmission Link
I. Wind Parks larger than 40MW may need an offshore transformer station to increase the
voltage level of transmission link beyond the collector system voltage level which is
normally kept at 34.5kV. The higher voltage level will reduce the power losses in
transmission link on one hand and the voltage drop across the transmission link on the
other.
II. In long distances from the seashore the capacitance of the cable will increase and cause
charging current of HVAC cable to increase. This will reduce the current carrying
capability of the cable.
III. An increase in system voltage to minimize voltage drop and line loss will also increase
the charging current.
IV. The capacitance of the long run cable can also cause overvoltage, harmonic currents,
and unwanted resonance and may require circuit breakers with high capacitance current
switching capability and power conditioning.

4
Impact of Wind Park Size and Distance
from Seashore on Transmission Link
V. The effects of cable capacitance in the long run, and charging current will not be the
same concerns in HVDC cables, as they are in HVAC cables, except for a short moment
during the energization of cable.
VI. In summary, an increase in the length of HVAC transmission link will result in higher
capital cost, higher construction & maintenance cost, an increase in transmission link
loss, an increase in complexity of design to maintain operational reliability of the cable
system, and a decrease in the megawatt energy transmitted to onshore grid .
VII. If the size of the wind park and length of the transmission link exceed HVAC system
limits, HVDC transmission system shall be employed. This will require two AC/DC
converter stations, one offshore and another onshore, hence result in higher capital
costs. Part of this extra cost will be offset by reducing the losses and cable cost.
VIII. By isolating two AC systems, i.e. wind park and transmission grid, HVDC Transmission
Link will provide better control of reactive and active power, will let the wind power and
grid operate asynchronously, will prevent resonance between cable capacitance and
grid inductance, and also will not let the short circuit current to be transferred.

5
Cost comparison of HVAC and HVDC
Transmission Link
 The current information indicate that HVAC is the most economical
option for distances shorter than 50 km.
 For distances between 50 and 80 km, HVAC and HVDC are expected
to be similar in cost.
 For distances longer than 80 km, HVDC systems will likely cost the
least.
 Slide 7 gives a better idea on the area of application of HVAC and
HVDC transmission link considering both size of wind park and length
of transmission link .

6
Cost comparison of HVAC and HVDC
Transmission Link (Continued)

7
Cost comparison of HVAC and HVDC
Transmission Link (Continued)
 Table below shows increase in grid connection cost as a function of
distance to seashore and type of transmission link and as a percentage
of total capital cost of wind park .

 Slides 10 and11, shows the idea of connecting a 100MW wind park

using HVAC and HVDC transmission link.

8
Cost comparison of HVAC and HVDC
Transmission Link (Continued)
 Slide 12 shows the idea of connecting a 200MW wind park using HVDC
transmission link
 Table below shows increase in grid connection cost of different types of
transmission link for different distances from seashore as a percentage
of total cost, and investment cost of wind park.

9
Connecting a 100MW wind park using
HVAC and HVDC Transmission Link

10
Connecting a 100MW wind park using
HVAC and HVDC Transmission Link

11
Connecting a 200MW wind park using
HVDC Transmission Link

12
Grid connection of several offshore
wind parks in the same area
 Slides 14 & 15 illustrate the idea of connecting several offshore wind parks to a
transmission grid.
 Diagram 1 shows three wind parks individually connected to a transmission grid
with individual right of way (ROW) for transmission link.
 Diagram 2 is the same method of connection as given in diagram 1 but all three
transmission links are routed in the same ROW.
 The idea of offshore network is given in diagram 3 where the three wind parks
are connected to the same bus and connected to the transmission grid utilizing a
dual HVDC link in a common ROW.
 Diagram 4 illustrates the generalization of offshore network concept.
 The cable system in the upstream of the offshore network bus is similar to cable
system for collector system.

13
Grid connection of several offshore
wind parks in the same area

14
Grid connection of several offshore
wind parks in the same area

15
Comparison of various methods of
connections of several wind parks

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