Released April 03, 2009 | BANGALORE, INDIA
en
Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--EirGrid Plc (Dublin, Ireland), a state-owned transmission system operator, has selected global automation major ABB Limited (NYSE:ABB) (Zurich, Switzerland) to design, engineer and install a transmission system for an interconnector that will link the electricity grids in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The $550 million transmission link will use ABB's high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) technology, which will help the countries to develop reliable and stable power supplies. It is also expected to aid Ireland's wind power expansion plans. The interconnector project is expected to provide security of energy supplies in Ireland, increase competition in the power sector, and allow Ireland to purchase power from the U.K. at short notice. The interconnector will also help Ireland gear up to meet the increasing power demand.
Ireland's government recently approved the proposal to construct a 256-kilometer high-power cable, which will allow the country to import energy from the U.K. at lower rates. The transmission link will consist of 186 kilometers of undersea cables and 70 kilometers of cables on land. The cable will be enclosed in polymeric insulation in order for it to be able to withstand undersea conditions. The cable will use a voltage of 200 kilovolts, which is the highest in this category.
The 500-megawatt (MW) interconnector, which is estimated to cost about $793 million, will run between Woodland, County Meath, in Ireland and Deeside, Wales. The converter stations, in Dublin and Liverpool, will switch between alternating current and direct current.
The European Union (EU) has granted $145.5 million for this project. EirGrid has indicated that benefits from this project will be about $13.32 billion over a 30-year period. The link is expected to begin commercial operation by 2012.
The HVDC technology is based on standardized engineering and design with pre-fabricated and easily transportable system components that are assembled and tested at factory premises. The system also consists of the "black start" feature, which automatically restores power without the aid of any energy sources after a shutdown or blackout. The technology has become popular globally since it does not emit fluctuating magnetic and electrical fields, and consists of environment-friendly features, such as oil-free cables, compact converters and low power losses.
Interconnectors between electricity grids create new avenues for power generation and distribution. The EU, which is promoting the concept of a single integrated electricity market, has recognized the importance of interconnectors for the success of this initiative. There are plans to develop several interconnectors between EU member countries, which will not only help to unify the energy market but also to strengthen cross-border power trade.
The U.K.'s National Grid Plc (NYSE:NGG) (London) and NLink, a subsidiary of transmission system operator TenneT BV (Arnhem, The Netherlands), have formed a joint venture firm, BritNed Development Limited (BritNed) (London), to develop a $793 million interconnector between Isle of Grain in Kent and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The 1,000-MW, 260-kilometer undersea cable is expected to start operation in 2010.
Energy company Imera Power (Dublin, Ireland) is also developing a 350-MW, 135-kilometer power transmission link between County Wicklow in Ireland and Pentir, North Wales, in the U.K. The interconnector, which will be constructed with private-sector funding, will also use ABB's HVDC technology.
Ireland has a total installed power generation capacity of 7,301 MW, which includes 801 MW of wind power. The country's average power demand is 3,000 MW during the summer and 5,000 MW in the winter. In a recent publication titled "Generation Adequacy Report," EirGrid has indicated that Ireland's energy demand is expected to grow by 2.7%-3.6% over the next seven years. The development of interconnectors will come at the right time to meet growing energy demand in the country.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information service specializing in industrial process, energy and financial related markets with products and services ranging from industry news, analytics, forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia services.
Ireland's government recently approved the proposal to construct a 256-kilometer high-power cable, which will allow the country to import energy from the U.K. at lower rates. The transmission link will consist of 186 kilometers of undersea cables and 70 kilometers of cables on land. The cable will be enclosed in polymeric insulation in order for it to be able to withstand undersea conditions. The cable will use a voltage of 200 kilovolts, which is the highest in this category.
The 500-megawatt (MW) interconnector, which is estimated to cost about $793 million, will run between Woodland, County Meath, in Ireland and Deeside, Wales. The converter stations, in Dublin and Liverpool, will switch between alternating current and direct current.
The European Union (EU) has granted $145.5 million for this project. EirGrid has indicated that benefits from this project will be about $13.32 billion over a 30-year period. The link is expected to begin commercial operation by 2012.
The HVDC technology is based on standardized engineering and design with pre-fabricated and easily transportable system components that are assembled and tested at factory premises. The system also consists of the "black start" feature, which automatically restores power without the aid of any energy sources after a shutdown or blackout. The technology has become popular globally since it does not emit fluctuating magnetic and electrical fields, and consists of environment-friendly features, such as oil-free cables, compact converters and low power losses.
Interconnectors between electricity grids create new avenues for power generation and distribution. The EU, which is promoting the concept of a single integrated electricity market, has recognized the importance of interconnectors for the success of this initiative. There are plans to develop several interconnectors between EU member countries, which will not only help to unify the energy market but also to strengthen cross-border power trade.
The U.K.'s National Grid Plc (NYSE:NGG) (London) and NLink, a subsidiary of transmission system operator TenneT BV (Arnhem, The Netherlands), have formed a joint venture firm, BritNed Development Limited (BritNed) (London), to develop a $793 million interconnector between Isle of Grain in Kent and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The 1,000-MW, 260-kilometer undersea cable is expected to start operation in 2010.
Energy company Imera Power (Dublin, Ireland) is also developing a 350-MW, 135-kilometer power transmission link between County Wicklow in Ireland and Pentir, North Wales, in the U.K. The interconnector, which will be constructed with private-sector funding, will also use ABB's HVDC technology.
Ireland has a total installed power generation capacity of 7,301 MW, which includes 801 MW of wind power. The country's average power demand is 3,000 MW during the summer and 5,000 MW in the winter. In a recent publication titled "Generation Adequacy Report," EirGrid has indicated that Ireland's energy demand is expected to grow by 2.7%-3.6% over the next seven years. The development of interconnectors will come at the right time to meet growing energy demand in the country.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information service specializing in industrial process, energy and financial related markets with products and services ranging from industry news, analytics, forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia services.
