Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 1 What role does High Voltage Direct Current play and what HVDC backbones or supergrids does Europe need? Gianluca Fulli European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Energy Outline Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 2 • The European transmission grid • HVDC features and challenges • Developments of offshore/Mediterranean grids • A vision for a European super grid • Conclusions Power system evolution Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 3 GENERATION SYSTEM TRANSMISSION (EXTRA HIGH VOLTAGE GRID) Transmission (super-smarter) SUBTRANSMISSION (HIGH VOLTAGE GRID) TRANSMISSION SYSTEM HIGH-MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION Distribution LOW VOLTAGE (smart) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UTILISATION SYSTEM HVDC – recent trends Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 4 • Power grids traditionally based on HVAC – High Voltage Alternating Current technologies • HVDC already used – to link systems with different frequencies (asynchronous) and – for very long lines and underground/submarine cables • New HVDC concepts add on flexibility, responsiveness and controllability over traditional HVDC – also for multi-terminal applications needed for offshore wind HVDC vs. HVAC Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 5 The breakdown distance depends on link length, voltage and power rating HVAC HVDC HVDC features and challenges Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 6 • Investment costs for HVDC may be sizeable • HVDC displacing HVAC can reduce environmental/visual impact • HVDC can act as a ‘firewall’ immunising the AC grid from wide area problems/disruptions • Open questions for research & demonstration: – Meshed (i.e. multiterminal) HVDC lines – Interoperability of HVDC into AC grids – HVDC superconductors From present European transmission grid to... Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 7 (Source: ENTSO-E) HVDC for offshore grids Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 8 Mid-long term vision of ENTSOE 2030 vision of EWEA (Wind association) Grid developments: North Sea Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 9 Crucial challenge for DC meshed grids: DC breaker and new technology developments (Source: OffshoreGrid project) Mediterranean ring Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 10 (Source: Medring update study) DESERTEC Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 11 Technical, economic and political issues for this long-term project (Source: Desertec) European Super Grid vision Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 12 Long-term combination of offshore (HVDC/HVAC) grids, enlarged HVAC continental network, DESERTEC and MedRing as parts of the European transmission grid (Source: ENTSO-E) Conclusions Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 13 • HVDC favourite option for long-distance power transmission and for connection of offshore large-sized renewable plants • Significant investment and technological demonstration needed for reinforced transmission highways leading to a super grid • Coordination of HVDC planning and operation necessary, as well as an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework Torino, 6 July 2010 – ESOF2010 14 What role does High Voltage Direct Current play and what HVDC backbones or supergrids does Europe need? [email protected] European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Energy.