Power Transmission and Distribution Solutions

2.6 Grid Access Solutions for Decentralized Power Generation

Apart from the offshore transformer substation, the onshore substation with its compensation systems (two SVC PLUS) and harmonic lters, as well as the cable system, Siemens Energy Transmission also performed the grid studies as well as the design and performance studies for the entire wind farm and its grid connection. The grid connection was energized in autumn 2009, with all 100 wind turbines running by autumn 2010. Now the offshore wind farm provides enough energy for approximately 215,000 homes, and reduces the CO2 emissions by 830,000 tons a year. Fig. 2.6-7: The Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm, planned with 140 wind turbines, each 3.6 MW, from Siemens Wind Power (Denmark), is located in the North Sea close to the Thames Estuary. It is roughly 26 km (respective 46 km) away from the coast line of Suffolk. The owner is Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd., U.K. The 33/132 kV transformer substation with its three 180 MVA transformers is mounted on two offshore platforms (Inner Gabbard and Galloper) located within the wind farm area. Power transmission is realized via three three-phase 132 kV XLPE submarine cables. The point of coupling to the grid is realized in Sizewell Village, Suffolk, where Siemens built a reactive power compensation substation to allow the wind farm to meet the requirements of the GB grid code. SVC PLUS multilevel technology is used for all of the three export circuits. Here again, Siemens Energy Transmission performed the grid studies as well as the design and performance studies for the entire wind farm. Now the offshore wind farm provides enough energy for approximately 350,000 homes and reduces the CO2 emissions by 1,350,000 tons a year. Fig. 2.6-8: In September 2009, Siemens was awarded a contract for the rst phase of the offshore grid access solution to the prestigious London Array wind farm. The grid access project was completed in two phases. In phase one, two offshore substations (each with two 150 MVA transformers) will be delivered to collect the 630 MW of power generated from 175 wind turbines also supplied by Siemens before transferring it to shore via the main 150 kV export cables. Siemens is responsible for the turnkey construction of the onshore substation. As for the two offshore substations, Siemens is responsible for the overall layout design to ensure that the facility functions as a substation, including all primary and secondary equipment as well as testing and commissioning.
London

Fig. 2.6-7: 2010 500 MW Offshore Greater Gabbard, UK

Clacton-on-Sea London Array

Fig. 2.6-8: 2012 630 MW London Array , UK

Situated 24 km from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, the system will generate 1,000 MW of green power, enough to supply the electricity needs for nearly 600,000 homes across the South East of England, and will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world in 2012.

For further information:

http://www.siemens.com/energy/grid-access-solutions http://www.siemens.com/energy/wipos

Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0

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