HVDC - enabling the transition to an energy system based on renewables

Submarine cable transmission and grid interconnections will play a critical role in enabling Ireland and the UK to develop their rich renewable energy resources, in particular offshore wind power. Generation based on renewables has a rapidly varying output, which requires complete control of the power flows to the main AC grid, as well as reactive power control at the transmission terminals. It also requires asynchronous interconnections between main AC grids for security of supply and power export. VSC-based HVDC transmission schemes can fulfil this combination of requirements. (6 pages)