HVDC Connection of Offshore WindPower Plants

The first wave of HVDC connected offshore wind power plants (WPPs) has been commissioned and many more are planned in the North Sea, along with other sites around the world. VSC-based HVDC has become the preferred solution for large offshore WPPs, with cable distances typically above 100 km (including both offshore cable and on shore cable to the converter terminal) to the AC grid connection point. This is largely due to several technology advantages offered by VSCs, when compared to other HVAC or HVDC options, resulting in a more economically attractive transmission solution. Guidelines and recommendation for point to point and multi terminal HVDC connection of offshore WPPs are therefore highly needed and of mutual interest for the HVDC and WTG industries in order to be able to provide the best possible solutions for all stakeholders.