ABB To Set Up $130 Million HVDC Link In Finland To Facilitate Renewable Energy Transmission

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Global power & automation technology leader ABB has won a contract worth $130 million to supply a new underwater power transmission link between Finnish mainland and Åland. The link will be 158 kilometres long and will have a capacity to transit 100 MW of electricity.

Åland, an autonomous province of Finland, currently draws electricity through an AC transmission line from Sweden. In addition to electricity from Sweden, the province also uses some renewable electricity and has a fossil fuel–based backup.

With the new HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) link, the province is expected to become free of dependence on Sweden as well as the fossil fuel–based power backup. Additionally, the use of electricity from renewable energy sources is expected to go up.

“The link will enable the integration of more renewable energy, provide security of power supply and grid reliability to Åland,” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “Our in-house manufacturing capability for converters, cables and semiconductors – the key components for HVDC – combined with our global track record will help us to deliver a best-in-class solution.”

“The HVDC system incorporates special features such as active AC voltage support providing greater network stability and the unique ‘black-start’ capability, which provides faster grid restoration in the event of a blackout. The system is DC grid enabled, ie, prepared for a multi-terminal configuration, which allows for additional in-feed from stations, such as future wind power plants.

“HVDC Light technology enables underground and subsea transmission, and offers several environmental benefits, such as neutral electromagnetic fields, oil-free cables and compact converter stations. It is an ideal solution for connecting remote power sources like renewables to mainland networks, overcoming distance limitations and grid constraints, while ensuring robust performance and minimal electrical losses.”

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ABB recently completed a large-scale linkage using its HVDC Light technology. It commissioned the East-West Interconnector, which is an HVDC submarine and subsoil power link between Britain and Ireland. The link has a capacity to transmit 500 MW.

Photo credit: james_jhs (some rights reserved)

The views presented in the above article are the author’s personal views only.


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Mridul Chadha

Mridul currently works as Head-News & Data at Climate Connect Limited, a market research and analytics firm in the renewable energy and carbon markets domain. He earned his Master’s in Technology degree from The Energy & Resources Institute in Renewable Energy Engineering and Management. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. Mridul has a keen interest in renewable energy sector in India and emerging carbon markets like China and Australia.

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