January 12, 2015

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, successfully commissioned a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Norway and Denmark to increase availability of renewable hydroelectric and wind power in the region’s electricity grid.

At 500 kilovolts (kV), the Skagerrak 4 link sets a new record in transmission voltage using Voltage Source Converters (VSC). The converters rely on semiconductors to convert electricity from high–voltage alternating current to direct current and back, while offering controllability and compact design.

VSC links are increasingly being deployed in underground and subsea applications such as integration of renewable energies from land-based and offshore wind farms, mainland power supply to islands and offshore oil and gas platforms, city center in-feeds and cross-border interconnections.

This HVDC Light link reinforces the grid owned by Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett and Denmark’s Energinet.dk and helps balance loads between Norway’s hydroelectric-based system and Denmark’s wind- and thermal-based generation.

“ABB pioneered the HVDC technology and continues innovating as it is uniquely positioned in the industry with in-house manufacturing for all key HVDC components, including power semiconductors, converters, converter transformers and high-voltage cables,” said Claudio Facchin, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.