Efforts are underway to examine how such a power transmission system should be designed and operated. One possibility is to link several large offshore wind farms together, and then transmit their output to various countries using undersea cables equipped with multiterminal HVDC solutions. The multiterminal HVDC solutions can be used to connect offshore wind farms located far out to sea to oil and gas installations and other renewable energy resources.

Key issues in a project of this sort include the design of the internal power distribution system within the offshore installations themselves, the connection between offshore installations and HVDC cables, transmission to land and connection to existing power transmission grids. Surveillance, operation and control of offshore installations in relation to onshore power transmission grids and system requirements/restrictions are also important issues. In addition, there are a number of challenges relating to ‘harmonisation’ of offshore and onshore facilities (handling of imbalances, stability, etc).

This project (and subsequent thesis) involves a technical concept study of an integrated offshore transmission system for the distribution of offshore generated electricity to several countries. Aspects to be studied include: 

•  an evaluation of various design, system and regulatory issues, including limitations and technical possibilities
• an evaluation of the impact of such a transmission system on the onshore electricity distribution system
• an evaluation of the installation and operational costs of such a transmission system
• an assessment of environmental conditions

The project is open to up to two students. The project will also involve cooperation with the University of Uppsala in Sweden, two of whose students will also be working on the same topic. The four students will therefore form a project group, with each student having the opportunity to focus on an aspect of particular interest to that individual. Participants must be prepared for a short stay in Uppsala. The Uppsala students will also spend some time at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Travel costs, etc, will be covered by Statkraft.

Contact:

Terje Gjengedal, Statkraft/NTNU, tel: +47 9117 8799, email: terje.gjengedal@statkraft.no
Espen Hagstrøm, Statkraft, tel: +47 2406 7000, email.espen.hagstrom@statkraft.no