Marinus Link Pty (MLPL) has selected Hitachi Energy to supply an approximately 345 km cable route HVDC system to enable the flow of renewable power in both directions between mainland Australia and Tasmania's grid.
Marinus Link will use advanced converter technology at both ends of the link to stabilize and integrate more renewables into the power grid.
Hitachi Energy will supply its HVDC Light voltage source converter (VSC) stations in the first stage of the project, which will convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for efficient, long-distance transmission and DC to AC, where the electricity is returned to the grid.
The connection will help the Tasmanian state to import excess supply of solar and wind produced in Victoria, while reserving its hydro and storing the extra energy, and also strengthen the security of supply in the Australian power grid in which electricity is increasingly generated from sustainable energy.
Clean hydropower will feed the mainland grid when required, serving as a large battery for the nation.
Marinus Link will have a total capacity of 1,500 MW, equivalent to the power required for 1.5 million Australian homes, upon completion of both project stages.
Supporting Australia's aim to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, as coal-fueled generation is retired, this link will result in saving up to 140 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2050, equivalent to removing approximately 1 million cars from roads.
