Alstom
and the German-Dutch transmission system operator TenneT have reached another
key milestone in the North Sea offshore grid connection project - ‘Dolwin3’.
Two 700 MVA power transformers were successfully delivered and installed
on the platform based in the Warnemüde shipyard in Germany, operated by
Nordic Yards. The offshore grid connection project DolWin3
will provide clean energy by connecting the North Sea wind farms to the
mainland. TenneT awarded DolWin3 to Alstom in February 2013. The project
is on track to be completed in 2017.
The transformers were designed and built by Alstom specifically for the
DolWin3 converter project at its Mönchengladbach plant in Germany. During
routine inspections, one transformer can continue to operate allowing the
converter platform to transmit the energy generated uninterrupted. Weighing
in at about 500 tonnes – they were transferred on a 1,200-km-long journey
by road, river and sea before being installed on the platform in Warnemünde,
where they are located in rooms specially designed with special corrosion
protection against the harsh and aggressive offshore climate.
“The energy transition is this century´s big national task. For this
reason we need the offshore wind power. Today is an important day for the
entire DolWin3 project. This day shows the progress in the important industrial
part of the energy transition – the development of the offshore wind power!”,
said Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
“With the grid connection DolWin3, we will provide a total of about
7,000 MW connectivity in the North Sea, transporting offshore wind power
to the shore. This is equivalent to the supply of about nine million households
with green energy. The German government´s offshore-expansion target for
the North Sea and the Baltic Sea of 6,500 MW until 2020 will be fulfilled
early”, said Wilfried Breuer, Member of the Management at TenneT Offshore
GmbH.
“The 900 MW wind energy DolWin 3 is the most powerful and largest
HVDC-converter platform built at Nordic Yards. In cooperation with Alstom
and TenneT we are moving the German energy transition another step further”,
said Herbert Aly, CEO of Nordic Yards.
“The two power transformers are core components of the DolWin 3 offshore
converter platform. Today’s milestone further confirmsour leadership in
HVDC technology. This installation is the prerequisite for completion of
the platform’s steel structure by Nordic Yards and the onward completion
of the project” said Gerhard Seyrling, Vice President Alstom Grid,
Region Central & Eastern Europe and Russia.
As the general contractor for TenneT, Alstom supplies and constructs both
the onshore and offshore converter stations as well as the connecting cable
systems for DolWin3. The project will use direct current technology with
Voltage Source Converters (VSC) (±320 kV, 900 MW) to deliver the energy
generated at sea to the mainland.
About TenneT
TenneT is a leading European Transmission System Operator
(TSO) operating mainly in the Netherlands and Germany. With approximately
21,000 kilometres of high-voltage lines, we ensure a reliable and secure
electricity supply to our 41 million end-users in the markets that we serve.
We currently have approx. 3,000 employees. TenneT is one of the largest
investors in national and international electricity grids, both onshore
and offshore. Our focus is on integrating the Northwest European energy
markets and facilitating the transition to a sustainable energy supply.
TenneT is committed to meeting the needs of society by being responsible,
engaged and connected.
About Nordic Yards
Nordic Yards with sites in Wismar, Warnemünde and Stralsund
is one of the leading developers and manufacturers of technologically sophisticated
and innovative maritime structures and complex offshore projects. The three
shipyards, employing a staff of around 1,400, have altogether delivered
around 2,500 newbuildings in their respectively 70-year history. The company’s
strategic focus is on offshore and Arctic projects: In addition to
the engineering and fabrication of ice-breaking and ice-going ships, Nordic
has been successful in the offshore wind business since early 2011, e.g.
with the construction of HVDC converter platforms, foundation structures
and service vessels. Nordic Yards is market leader in the design and manufacturing
of offshore converter platforms for a low loss energy transmission of offshore
wind energy. HelWin alpha, BorWin beta and SylWin alpha have been installed
in the North Sea and are already in commercial operation. The fourth, most
powerful platform DolWin gamma is currently under construction.
About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation,
power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative
and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train
and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey
integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety
of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it
offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on
smart grids. The Group employs 88,000 people in around 100 countries.
In Germany, Alstom has a workforce of 7,600 people who
are working on 23 sites in power generation, energy transmission and rail
infrastructure.
About Alstom Grid
Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative
solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical
grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power
transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planet’s
low carbon economy... for now and for the future
Alstom Grid has over 130 years’ experience and ranks
among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual
sales turnover of €3.8 billion. Alstom Grid’s 17,000 employees are spread
across 87 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one common
mission: be our customers’ trusted partner, from the source to the city.