What SSEN considers to be a milestone in high voltage direct current technology has been reached through an innovative project allowing different manufacturer’s systems to connect seamlessly, enhancing network reliability.
In a world-first, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission has successfully demonstrated its Aquila Lite project, a software interface that provides for HVDC multi-vendor interoperability – allowing different manufacturer’s systems such as controls and main circuits to work together, eliminating the need for AC/DC conversion when transferring power among them.
The project, led by SSEN Transmission and supported through UK Regulator Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA), is said to mark a significant breakthrough in realising the potential of the offshore HVDC grid network to deliver large amounts of renewable energy to meet national clean energy and energy security ambitions.
As well as reducing capital investment costs associated with the construction of converter stations the technology reduces risk in the supply chain by avoiding reliance on a single supplier, which could expose future network operations to outage risks.
It has led to the development and patenting of a cutting-edge multi-terminal, multi-vendor HVDC control approach developed by The National HVDC Centre, which is owned and operated by SSEN Transmission in partnership with other transmission operators and the National Energy System Operator.
The project was first demonstrated in collaboration with principal contractors GE Vernova and Mitsubishi at the recent IET ACDC International Conference, the first of several intended demonstrations across vendors. Nithiananthan Vejayan, Innovation Delivery Project manager at SSEN Transmission said: “We plan … demonstrations with both Hitachi Energy and Siemens Energy ahead of the completion of the project, and continue to actively work with all vendors to demonstrate collective interoperability.”
Ben Marshall, HVDC Technology manager at The National HVDC Centre said: “The results of our demonstration have instilled industry confidence that interoperability is not just theoretical but practical and can be commercially, legally, and technically managed across the delivery of real projects.”
