Hitachi Energy will supply an advanced grid-forming solution that employs the next generation of grid stabilisation technology, Enhanced STATCOM - to manage grid frequency variations and system voltage at all times. It is the first time the technology will be used in the offshore wind industry in Europe and marks a major milestone in the evolution of the conventional STATCOM installed at Hornsea 2.
“We’re delighted, once more, to partner with Hitachi Energy to support Ørsted’s offshore wind buildout here in the UK” said Alana Kühne, Managing Director of Hornsea 4. “Hitachi Energy is a trusted partner, and we’ll work closely together to deploy grid stabilisation technology for the benefit of Hornsea 4 and the wider UK grid.”
Hitachi Energy’s SVC Light Enhanced solution uses innovative power electronics to integrate the efficient reactive power compensation of SVC Light with supercapacitors, which are electronic devices that absorb and inject active power into the grid in milliseconds.
SVC Light Enhanced is part of Grid-enSure, a recently launched fully integrated portfolio that comprises leading-edge solutions based on power electronics and advanced control systems that safely protect grid stability, reliability, and power quality as the transition to renewable energy accelerates. Advanced features like Grid Forming Control provide significant improvements over previous solutions and make the technology less sensitive to future changes in the network.
“The contract strengthens our long-term relationship with Ørsted and builds on the foundation of a global framework agreement that provided the confidence to use Hitachi Energy’s latest STATCOM technology” added Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Business Unit Grid Integration. “This is part of our co-creation innovation with our customers. With Enhanced STATCOM, we bring to offshore wind what we have already delivered to transmission system operators.”
The use of supercapacitors to provide active power capability not only supports grid stability but also offers project owners the possibility of offering inertia or grid stability services to the grid.
Located 69 kilometres (km) off the Yorkshire coast, Hornsea 4 secured a 2.4 GW Contract for Difference (CfD) from the Government in September 2024. The CfD mechanism guarantees a fixed price level for the electricity generated, providing revenue certainty and giving developers financial stability to progress viable projects. Final Investment Decision on the project is expected within the next 15 months with Commercial Operation Date (COD) currently planned for 2030.
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