ABB and Aibel have announced a partnership to deliver offshore wind integration solutions. ABB will focus on its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, while Aibel will take turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) responsibility for the design, construction, installation and commissioning of the offshore platforms. The partnership will combine the core competencies of the two companies to deliver best-in-class solutions. The partners will collaborate on the design, engineering and optimization of offshore wind connections.
The integration of power generated by offshore wind farms into national electrical grids requires complex engineering. A key part is the conversion of power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for low-loss transmission, often over long distances, to connect remote offshore wind farms to the mainland grid. This DC power is subsequently converted back to AC once on land and then distributed for consumption. The HVDC system incorporates sophisticated technology to ensure the optimum integration of intermittent renewables and control of power flows. The offshore part of the HVDC system is housed on a specially designed platform.
