Review Grid Extension

Swapping wind power for hydropower

Two cable routes between Norway calm, power can run into the opposite direction. ­Everybody is intended to benefit from the and Germany are expected to ­arrangements. The project partners involved believe enhance the two countries’ security that the renewable energy sources in the two ­countries complement each other perfectly. ­Electricity of supply. The NorGer and Nord.Link demand in Norway is met by using huge storage ­reservoirs that fill up with water from melting snow projects are awaiting their approval. starting in May and reach their highest level in ­autumn. During winter, when precipitation is again lthough the issue is already well known, it is mostly snow, the water is used up due to high power now becoming politically charged because of consumption. Wind power from Germany is especial­ Athe German government’s decision to press ly produced between October and March and thus on towards the “Energiewende” – the exclusive reli­ could ensure that water reservoirs in Norway are not ance on renewable energy. Phasing out nuclear ener­ emptied too fast, while the well filled reservoirs in Wind power from Germany gy and moving the energy industry towards renew­ summer compensate for weak wind months. is set to be coupled to water able sources will only be possible if new storage sys­ storage reservoirs in Norway. tems are being developed and used. One possibility One idea, two models Photo: Statnett SF would be using hydro reservoirs. As capacities of this kind are fairly restricted in Germany, some are think­ However, there are two different business models be­ ing of looking for opportunities farther north: Norway hind this basic idea. NorGer KS, a consortium made not only has huge water storage reservoirs but has up of Norwegian grid operator Statnett, which owns ­also shown what a solution could look like with its 50 % of the company, and the Norwegian utilities ­NorNed DC connection, which was put into operation Agder Energi AS and Lyse Energi AS as well as Swiss in 2006. NorNed, a 700 MW cable connection, links electricity company Laufenburg AG, which trades in the Dutch power-generating capacities with the water energy throughout Europe, intends to lay what is storage reservoirs in Norway. called a commercial cable. The cable is not under the German power producers want to connect two control of the regulatory authorities, and the consor­ projects to Norway at the same time: NorGer will run tium itself is set to assume the role of electricity trad­ a cable from Kristiansand in southern Norway to er. If the price at the German power exchange EEX is ­Lower Saxony in northern Germany; Nord.Link a cable low when there is an oversupply of wind power, it can from Tonstad, in the county of Vest-Agder in the be sold at Nord Pool, the Scandinavian power ex­ southwest of Norway, to Brunsbüttel in northern change. When the wind isn’t blowing, the inexpen­ ­Germany. Technical data for the two projects are sive hydropower will be sold at the Leipzig power ex­ ­similar: a 1,400 MW HVDC power transmission line is change. NorGer has lots of cash on hand to spend on to divert excess electricity generated from wind and this business idea. The consortium intends to invest other sources in Germany to Norway. When winds are ¤ 1 billion. The submarine cable accounts for the vast

42 Sun & Wind Energy 7/2011 Always in sight!

AS Control PV-Interface Always up to date with our manufacturer- independent high-end monitoring system: The PV-Interface with real-time display Inspection of the NorNed keeps you globally informed over yield bulk of this investment. Actually, construction work HVDC cable at the convert­ and system data; also available online at was slated to start this year, but administrative er station at Eemshaven. www.as-portal.com. Every device controls up ­bureaucracy has upset the planners’ intentions. “We Electricity from TenneT to 100 inverters! Profit from our outstanding price-performance ratio! successfully filed an application with the German of the Netherlands and Network Agency to approve our business model,” Statnett of Norway is says Matthias Hochstätter, Press Spokesman for the transported via the NorGer consortium. Then the EU was supposed to cable in both direc­ give its consent. Instead, they insisted on having an tions. The project costs Solar additional expert opinion from Norway which was not ¤ 600 ­million. AS Lighting the Way. submitted in time. “Since the EU would not have giv­ Photo: Vincent Jannink/EPA AS Solar GmbH, Wholesaler for Solar Technology en their approval, we decided to withdraw our appli­ Nenndorfer Chaussee 9 Tel.: +49 511 475578-0 cation and to renew it once the expert report has D-30453 Hannover Fax: +49 511 475578-11 been prepared,” says Hochstätter. Because the www.as-solar.com [email protected] ­Federal Network Agency has already consented once, AS Solar Ibérica S.L. AS Solar Benelux BVBA he is firmly counting on the same outcome this time Spain / Portugal Belgium / The Netherlands around. The decision is expected in June or July. The www.as-iberica.com www.as-benelux.com plan approval procedure for route laying in Lower AS Solar France SAS AS Solar Energii R. S.R.L. Saxony is starting in parallel to this and is due to be France Romania / Hungary completed in the coming year. www.as-france.com www.as-solar-er.com The Nord.Link project is pursuing a slightly differ­ AS Solar Inc. AS Solar Italia SRL ent concept that is also used by the Norwegian grid Canada / USA Italy www.as-solar-inc.com www.as-italia.com AS Solar UK Ltd. AS Solar Maroc United Kingdom North Africa Sun & Wind Energy 7/2011 www.as-solar-uk.com www.as-maroc.com Review Grid Extension

operator Statnett. This interconnection will be a reg­ in particular the Hallig islands. Juliane Rumpf, ulated cable. In this case, a third company, which for ­Schleswig-Holstein’s Environmental Minister, point­ the already finished NorNed cable is EMCC, is con­ ed out that this hurdle could only be overcome if this tracted with marketing the electricity. It identifies the project’s public interest is determined to be greater price differences between the two power markets and than the public interest stipulated in the National buys where it is cheaper. The earnings will go to the Park Act. Harald Haase from Schleswig-Holstein’s grid operator – in this case, Statnett. Unlike for Economics Ministry considers these issues to be solv­ ­NorGer, however, the Federal Network Agency puts able. “This cable is quite in line with the vision we put these earnings towards grid charges. “In this case, down in our energy concept.” Rumpf also refers to the profits are being socialised,” explains Frank Peter, cable’s crucial significance for climate policy. She who is responsible for electricity market modeling for says the objectives for greenhouse gas mitigation project partner Prognos AG. If, conversely, losses are rates for Germany could only be reached with ambi­ incurred when operating the interconnection, they tious development of renewable energy, which, how­ would likewise be offset via the grid charges. “The ever, would hardly be possible without international ­cable will very certainly achieve positive returns,” grid extension and creation of comprehensive stor­ promises Franke. The investors thus bear a lesser risk age capacities. This would have to be part of an than with a commercial cable but cannot completely ­assessment. cash in on the profits themselves. In order to sort out impending conflicts as early as possible, Statnett relies on a moderation proce­ Cutting across the Wadden Sea dure that assembles all parties around the table. “The procedure for setting out the plan will involve public Statnett intends to start construction on the 640 km participation,” explains Helma Dirks, Marketing long Nord.Link cable by 2017 at the latest, with a to­ ­Manager in charge of infrastructure and dialogue pro­ tal investment of € 1.4 billion. Electricity is expected cedures at Prognos. In addition, Nord.Link will estab­ to start flowing in 2020. Word is that ­Statnett is still lish a forum where all aspects are discussed. “It’s a looking for a German project partner and talks are decision where green is going up against green,” ac­ currently being held. The energy company aims to en­ cording to Dirks. The interconnection’s advocates hance their own security of supply by means of the in­ have good arguments, he says – the expansion of terconnections to Germany. “Because, even if 97 per­ renew­ables and climate protection. “We will involve cent of Norwegian electricity is produced from renew­ all parties concerned in the forum events,” announces­ able hydropower, empty storage reservoirs produce the mediator, from environmental associations and bottlenecks in periods with little rain,” explains Auke local government representatives to fishermen. “We’ll Lont, Statnett’s CEO. Then the country would have to reach an agreement,” Dirks says with conviction. She import energy – at somewhat higher prices than in added that there is always some leeway, whether it is Germany. in the fine-tuning of routes or the kind of technology In Schleswig-Holstein, too, the Norwegians’ plans deployed. are publicly acclaimed, although a major obstacle will On a collision course with na­ still have to be overcome: the currently favoured Start of construction in 2012? ture conservation: the preferred­ ­cable route crosses 200 km of Natura 2000 areas in route envisages Nord.Link Germany and some 30 km of the Wadden Sea ­National NorGer has no such concerns. The route already de­ crossing 30 km of the Wadden Park. The National Park Act only permits laying inter­ termined in the accomplished zoning procedure runs Sea National Park. Photo: dpa connection cables to provide for the supply of ­islands, north of the islands of Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge before going east of the Jade waterway for the remaining distance. The plan is for the line to hit land in the municipality of Butjadingen in Lower Saxony, Germany, outside the national park. The con­ verter station for the connection to the 380 kV high- voltage grid will be at the “380 kV switchgear ­Moorriem” grid node, which is yet to be installed, near Elsfleth – a more precise location has not yet been fixed. Nor does the completed zoning procedure mean that the project has been approved. This will only happen as part of the process for developing the plan, which is to begin shortly and will incorporate the results of the zoning procedures. NorGer would like to start the construction in 2012, with the first electricity possibly flowing three years later.­“Statnett has had good experiences with three submarine ­cables to Denmark and another one to the ­Netherlands,” assures Statnett CEO Lont. “It is a ­genuine win-win project for both countries.” Katharina Wolf

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