DNV has launched a Joint Industry Project (JIP) with ten offshore wind and transmission developers to identify changes to electrical standards and standardization needed to enable the connection of HVDC transmission into the United States’ electric grid.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) is an essential component for integrating offshore wind, and other sources of clean energy, reliably and cost-effectively onto the power grid over long distances.
Phase one of the Joint Industry Project (JIP) will run through early 2024, during which DNV and the JIP participants will undertake an inventory of and prioritize key technical issues that stand in the way of the timely and efficient use of HVDC transmission. After ranking the issues based on the participants’ experiences, the group will identify a stakeholder body most responsible for implementing a solution.
Members of the JIP include:
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind
- DNV
- EDF Renewables
- Equinor
- Invenergy
- National Grid Ventures
- Ocean Winds
- PPL TransLink WindGrid
- RWE
- Shell
- TotalEnergies
This JIP comes at a critical time. Today, HVDC transmission is not widely used within the U.S., and there are appreciable barriers to its further development that represent a serious risk to the long-term development, growth, and economic feasibility of clean energy projects being propelled by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
DNV’s forecast shows that more than 5,900 miles of HVDC undersea transmission cables are needed to enable efficient offshore wind development by mid-century.
Upon completion of phase one, DNV and the JIP participants will use the JIP findings to raise awareness of the barriers to the greater use of HVDC transmission and the stakeholder bodies who can help overcome them. Through this effort DNV and the JIP participants hope to reduce project risks, accelerate deployment timelines, and ensure that supply chain constraints are appropriately considered.
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Featured photograph (source: Hitachi Energy) is for representation only.
