Siemens sails close to the wind

The Siemens PTD group has developed a new high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system designed specifically to provide links between oil platforms and offshore wind parks and the power supply network on the mainland via a submarine cable. HVDC Plus, a high voltage direct current power link universal system based on voltage link converters with power transistors, permits low-loss transmission of electrical energy and connection to weak or geographically separated AC systems, as are encountered on oil platforms or in wind parks. The concept offers wide control dynamic range and is claimed to incorporate many technological and ecological advantages over conventional phase-commutated hvdc transmission systems.