In a bid to support US offshore wind power goals, DNV has issued a set of recommendations and a timeline to establish a fully functional offshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network.
The guidelines, stemming from the first phase of a Joint Industry Project (JIP), aim to explore the feasibility of incorporating HVDC transmission into the US grid. These recommendations are the result of collaboration across the sector, incorporating insights from various stakeholders.
According to Richard Barnes, region president for Energy Systems North America at DNV, “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.”
The recommendations underscore the need for agencies, governor's offices, developers, HVDC equipment manufacturers, and service providers to collaborate in building an offshore transmission system. This approach aims to unlock the full potential of offshore wind projects, meeting deadlines and budgetary constraints effectively.
A critical aspect of this recommendation is the urgent need for states to focus on procuring 320 kV HVDC symmetric monopoles without AC or DC interlinks. This strategy not only ensures ongoing project success but also maintains public support for offshore wind development.
The study also suggests a step-by-step build-up of infrastructure, considering the global HVDC equipment market and recent developments in Europe driving the market. This phased approach aims to overcome current barriers and establish a clear pathway to an offshore transmission network.
Additional recommendations include establishing a task force with industry and state participants to review the feasibility of AC mesh solutions and investigating options to reduce the size and weight requirements of offshore platforms for 525 kV HVDC bipoles.
