Long Distance Subsea
Power Transmission
and Distribution
Peter Baker
woodplc.com
Contents
• Parameters used
• Technology options
• Cable options
• Typical distance limitations
• Typical cost comparison
• Qualified technology
• Advantages / disadvantages
• Power transmission and distribution options
• Summary
2 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Parameters used
• Power ̴ 30MW
• Voltage ̴ 110kV
• Distances up to 600km offshore
• Water depths to 1500m
3 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Technology Options
• AC (3 phase)
• DC
4 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Technology Options
High Voltage Alternating Current - HVAC (50Hz)
Onshore Subsea
̴
LVAC 50Hz HVAC 50Hz LVAC
50Hz
Generator Transformer Transformer Subsea Load
LV / HV HV / LV
5 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Technology Options
Low Frequency High Voltage Alternating Current - LFHVAC (16⅔Hz)
Onshore Subsea
̴
LVAC 50Hz LFHVAC 16⅔Hz LVAC 50Hz
50Hz 16⅔Hz
16⅔Hz 50Hz
Generator Transformer Frequency Frequency Transformer Subsea Load
LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV
6 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Technology Options
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC
Onshore Subsea
̴ ̴
LVAC 50Hz HVDC LVAC 50Hz
̴
Generator Transformer AC / DC DC / AC Transformer Subsea
LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV Load
7 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Technology Options
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC
Onshore Subsea
̴ ̴
LVAC 50Hz HVDC LVAC 50Hz
̴
Generator Transformer AC / DC DC / AC Transformer Subsea
LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV Load
8 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Cable Options
HVDAC & LFHVAC HVDC Single Core HVDC Coaxial
Images courtesy of Nexans
9 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Typical Distance Limitations
10 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Typical Cost Comparison
Cost
HVDC
cable cost
HVAC
LFHVAC
HVDC
LFHVAC
cable cost
HVDC
terminal costs
HVAC
cable cost LFHVAC
terminal costs
HVAC
terminal costs
Distance (km)
11 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Qualified Technology
Item Parameter HVAC LFHVAC HVDC
Cable Static ✓ ✓ ✓
Dynamic ✓ ✓
Shore equipment Generator ✓ ✓ ✓
Transformer ✓ ✓ ✓
Converter N/A ✓ ✓
Subsea equipment Transformer ✓ ✓ N/A
Converter
Variable Speed Drives *
Power Conditioning
Connectors ✓ ✓
12 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Advantages / Disadvantages
System Advantages Disadvantages
HVAC Conventional subsea cable technology Cable electrical losses > 100km
Conventional topside hardware technology Most subsea hardware not qualified
Lowest hardware costs
LFHVAC Conventional subsea cable technology Cable electrical losses > 300km
Conventional topside hardware technology No qualified subsea hardware technology
Lower cable electrical losses compared to
Higher hardware costs > HVAC
HVAC
HVDC Conventional subsea static cable technology Subsea dynamic cable not qualified
Conventional topside hardware technology No qualified subsea hardware technology
Lowest cable electrical losses Highest hardware costs > LFHVAC
13 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
HVAC Power Transmission <50km
Generation /
Power
conditioning
Subsea Load
14 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
HVAC >50km, LFHVAC & HVDC Power Transmission
Generation
Power conditioning
and control capsule
Transformer Subsea Load
15 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
HVAC, LFHVAC and HVDC Power Transmission
Generation
Power
conditioning and
control buoy
Subsea Load
16 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Summary
HVAC < 150km
LFHVAC > 150km < 300km
HVDC > 300km < 600km
17 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
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