50Hertz, the transmission system operator (TSO) for japanese Germany, has awarded its Ostwind 4 mission to GE Vernova, in consortium with Drydocks World, a DP World firm that gives marine and offshore companies to the renewable power sector, amongst others. The mission includes the design, building, and commissioning of a 2-GW high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) electrical transmission system—the primary of its type within the German Baltic Sea—connecting offshore wind farms to the German grid. Ostwind 4 is the fourth offshore mission designed to attach wind farm areas northeast of Rügen island to the German energy grid (Determine 1). Each an offshore converter platform and an onshore converter station can be constructed as a part of the mission. That is the primary time an offshore wind farm within the German Baltic Sea will embody 525-kV HVDC know-how, which may transport extra energy than alternating present (AC) connections with decrease losses throughout longer distances.
1. Ostwind 4 is the fourth mission to attach offshore wind farms (OWFs) from the northeast of Rügen island to the German energy grid. Courtesy: 50Hertz The wind farm concession space through which the mission can be situated was bought throughout an public sale by Whole Energies. The realm is situated on the sting of the German Unique Financial Zone (EEZ). A subsea cable that can be roughly 110 kilometers (km) lengthy is because of run from the offshore converter, via the Greifswald Bodden, to Lubmin close to Vierow. An underground cable that can be roughly 4 km lengthy will run from Lubmin to the deliberate substation with the counter-converter within the municipality of Brünzow within the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald. The DC can be transformed again to AC at that time and fed into the 50Hertz extra-high-voltage transmission grid. The contract for the manufacturing and set up of the subsea and underground cables was awarded to the Danish firm NKT in 2023.
Collaboration Key to State-of-the-Artwork Transmission Venture
The GE Vernova–Drydocks World consortium is chargeable for delivering each the offshore converter platform and the onshore converter station, enabling seamless transmission of electrical energy from offshore wind farms within the Baltic Sea to the German transmission grid. Because the consortium chief, GE Vernova will provide superior HVDC know-how, together with voltage-sourced converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, air-core reactors, and g3 gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). GE Vernova’s g3 (pronounced “g cubed”) insulating gasoline is a substitute for sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulating gasoline, with a drastically decrease environmental influence—world warming potential (GWP) decreased by greater than 99%, comparatively. In the meantime, g3 merchandise characteristic the identical scores and identical dimensional footprint as SF6 choices, and function with no restriction below the identical temperature vary as SF6 merchandise (right down to –30C). As a part of the Ostwind 4 mission, GE Vernova will deal with civil works for the onshore converter station and grid automation telecommunications gear. The corporate mentioned the mission can even profit from GE Vernova’s new HVDC Competence Heart in Berlin, which is concentrated on growing modern know-how to enhance grid stability and combine extra renewable power. Drydocks World will handle the engineering, procurement, building, and set up of the wind power converter stations’ topsides and jacket buildings. The topside, which can be fabricated at Drydocks World’s Dubai facility, will combine superior gear designed and manufactured in Europe. As soon as accomplished, the platform can be transported and put in in German waters. “The Ostwind 4 mission exemplifies the ability of worldwide collaboration in advancing renewable power options,” mentioned Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World. “Drydocks World is honored to help Germany’s transition to sustainable power by delivering cutting-edge offshore infrastructure that embodies engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. This achievement reaffirms our unwavering dedication to innovation and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for offshore wind tasks and supporting world efforts to construct a greener future.”
‘Pioneering Work’
“The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydocks World marks the start of a brand new chapter in the usage of wind power within the Baltic Sea. 50Hertz is the primary transmission system operator to deploy 2-GW/525-kV know-how on this sea space. That is pioneering work,” mentioned Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz (Determine 2). “We wish to be certain that the whole thing of the technically and economically viable offshore wind power potential within the Baltic Sea is exploited, primarily with the assistance of direct present know-how. To do that, we have to assume and act in an much more networked manner throughout nationwide borders. One prerequisite for that is the creation of authorized and regulatory situations that allow wind farms within the waters of different EU [European Union] states to be linked to the German transmission grid.”
2. Leaders are proven right here after the symbolic signing of the contract. Standing are Stefan Hartge (GE Vernova), Marco Nix (50Hertz), Capt. Rado Antolovic (Drydocks World). Sitting are Johann Bindele (GE Vernova), Stefan Kapferer (50Hertz), HE Sultan Admed Bin Sulayem (Dubai Port World). Courtesy: 50Hertz/Kathrin Heller GE Vernova famous that Germany has an bold power transition (Energiewende) framework, which goals to part out coal totally by 2030 and obtain net-zero emissions by 2045. It mentioned Germany’s Local weather Legislation requires 80% of the nation’s electrical energy provide to come back from renewable sources by 2030, with a goal of 100% by 2035. “Tasks like Ostwind 4 are essential in assembly these targets, enabling the environment friendly transmission of renewable power from offshore wind farms to the nationwide grid and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels,” GE Vernova mentioned. “Ostwind 4 represents a vital milestone in our mission to affect and decarbonize with the power to vary the world. By leveraging our superior HVDC know-how, this key infrastructure mission underscores the important function of offshore wind to make sure European power safety and to speed up the worldwide power transition. This order additionally highlights the speedy development in GE Vernova’s Electrification phase, our quickest rising enterprise, as our clients spend money on the grid. We’re very proud to collaborate with 50Hertz and Drydocks World to advance Germany’s renewable power targets and set a brand new commonplace for a resilient and sustainable grid infrastructure,” mentioned Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova’s Electrification enterprise. “Drydocks World’s pivotal function within the Ostwind 4 mission underscores its technical excellence and dedication to advancing sustainable infrastructure. This award displays DP World’s broader mission to drive clear power transitions and financial development. As the worldwide power panorama evolves, we stay devoted to leveraging our experience and progressive capabilities to help initiatives that drive clear power transitions and financial growth,” mentioned Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World. “Ostwind 4 demonstrates the developments in HVDC know-how that GE Vernova delivers to help the mixing of renewable power sources at transformative scales. Using our voltage-sourced converters, g3 gas-insulated switchgear, and sturdy system design ensures not solely environment friendly energy transmission but additionally operational reliability over lengthy distances. We’re honored to guide this mission in collaboration with our consortium companion Drydocks World and help 50Hertz in pushing the boundaries of power innovation,” added Johan Bindele, chief of Grid Programs Integration at GE Vernova’s Grid Options enterprise. —Aaron Larson is POWER’s government editor (@POWERmagazine).
