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Subsea Electricity Interconnectors Database

4C Offshore’s Subsea Electricity Interconnectors Database provides comprehensive data and insights on subsea electricity interconnectors, including landfall countries, cable current, status, capacity, and more. This intelligence is essential for offshore wind project managers, operators, and maintenance teams, and is accessible via 4C Offshore, our marine intelligence software. It is a centralised repository for all essential data related to subsea electricity interconnectors, helping to effectively monitor, analyse and maintain these critical assets.

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54 Converters
822 Interconnectors
392 Substations
865 Export Cables
Country And Landfall
Substation
Cable Name
Cable Current
Status
Capacity MW

4C Offshore marine intelligence software provides you with exclusive access to a range of specialised services including the Global Offshore Wind Farm Database. 4C Offshore grants you exclusive access to online and offline databases, reports, newsletters, online tools and more.

Subsea Electricity Interconnectors Overview

Interconnector	Country 1	Country 2	Capacity	Current

An Introduction To Subsea Electricity Interconnectors

For experts in the field of energy, subsea electricity interconnectors play a critical role in facilitating cross-border power exchange between countries. These interconnectors are vital infrastructural components that enable the transmission of electricity across underwater cables, connecting power grids of different nations.

An Introduction To Subsea Electricity Interconnectors

Subsea electricity interconnectors have many roles:

Cross-Border Power Exchange

The primary role of subsea electricity interconnectors is to facilitate the exchange of electricity between neighboring countries. They enable the import and export of electricity, allowing for the sharing of renewable energy resources, balancing supply and demand, and enhancing energy security and market integration.

Subsea electricity interconnectors contribute to several crucial aspects of energy systems and policies:

Diversification of Energy Sources

Interconnectors enable countries to access a broader range of energy sources by importing electricity generated from diverse and renewable resources.

Market Integration

Cross-border power exchange promotes efficient competition and integration in energy markets, leading to better pricing, increased energy trading, and improved market stability.

Energy Security

Interconnectors enhance energy security by providing access to a wider range of electricity sources, reducing dependency on single energy suppliers, and enabling mutual support during supply disruptions.

Renewable Energy Integration

Interconnectors help optimize the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources by facilitating the export of excess renewable energy and the import of electricity during periods of low renewable generation.

Capacity Enhancement

Subsea interconnectors increase the overall transmission capacity of interconnected grids, allowing for the transfer of larger volumes of electricity between countries. This capacity enhancement improves grid stability, promotes efficient utilization of generation resources, and supports the integration of renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Integration

Interconnectors enable the transport of surplus renewable energy from regions with high generation to areas with high demand, maximizing the utilization of renewable resources and reducing curtailment.

Peak Load Management

Interconnectors facilitate the sharing of peak electricity demand, allowing countries to meet peak load requirements by accessing surplus capacity from neighboring grids.

System Flexibility and Grid Balancing

Subsea electricity interconnectors provide system flexibility and support grid balancing by allowing countries to optimize their electricity generation mix and access resources during periods of supply shortage or excess.

Demand-Supply Balancing

Interconnectors allow countries to balance their electricity supply and demand by importing electricity during peak demand periods or exporting excess electricity during periods of low demand.

Integration of Variable Generation

Interconnectors help manage the intermittency of renewable energy sources by leveraging the diversity of weather patterns across regions, enabling the transfer of electricity from areas with high renewable generation to areas with lower generation.

An Introduction To Subsea Electricity Interconnectors

Subsea electricity interconnectors consist of high-voltage cables laid on the seabed, typically in the form of submarine or subsea power cables. The cables are insulated and protected to withstand the marine environment. They connect converter stations or substations on each side of the interconnector, where the electricity is converted from AC to DC (or vice versa) using power converters. Power flow is controlled through the converter stations to enable bidirectional electricity exchange. Real-time monitoring and control systems ensure optimal operation and adherence to grid requirements.

These interconnectors play a crucial role in enabling cross-border power exchange, enhancing energy security, promoting market integration, and facilitating the integration of renewable energy. Their capacity enhancement, system flexibility, and grid balancing capabilities contribute to the optimization of electricity systems, fostering a more sustainable and interconnected energy landscape.

Three offshore wind turbines in an array

Types Of Subsea Electricity Interconnector data

Here is a comprehensive list of subsea electricity interconnector data types:

Interconnector Information

Interconnector Name
Ownership and Operators
Capacity and Voltage Levels
Commissioning Date
Operational Status

Geographical Data

Route Details (Start and End Points)
Cable Length and Diameter
Seabed Conditions
Water Depth Profile
Landing Points on Shore

Technical Specifications

Cable Manufacturer and Supplier
Cable Type and Construction
Conductor Material and Cross-Sectional Area
Insulation and Protective Coating Details
Electrical Parameters (Resistance, Capacitance, Inductance)

Transmission Capacity and Flow Data

Maximum Transmission Capacity
Nominal and Peak Flow Rates
Flow Direction (Bidirectional or Unidirectional)
Transmission Losses and Efficiency

Converter Stations and Substations

Converter Station Locations
Substation Details on Each End
Converter Specifications (AC/DC)
Transformer Specifications
Reactive Power Compensation Equipment

Operational Performance Metrics

Power Flow Measurements
Voltage and Frequency Control Data
Line Losses and Efficiency
Grid Stability Monitoring

Maintenance and Repairs

Maintenance Schedules and Records
Cable Fault Detection and Repair Data
Testing and Inspection Reports
Cable Life Expectancy and Remaining Useful Life

Communication and Control Systems

Control and Monitoring Equipment Details
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Systems
Communication Network Architecture
Data Acquisition and Telemetry Systems

Market and Regulatory Data

Market Access Agreements
Tariff and Pricing Information
Regulatory Compliance Documentation
Cross-Border Energy Trading Data

Safety and Environmental Data

Environmental Impact Assessments
Seabed Surveys and Protection Measures
Emergency Response Plans
Safety Certifications and Compliance Records

Historical and Fincancial Data

Construction and Commissioning Reports
Financial Investment Details
Operation and Maintenance Costs
Revenue and Profitability Data

Many of these data points are available in the Offshore Subsea Electricity Interconnectors Database

Subsea Electricity Interconnector Innovation

The subsea electricity interconnector sector is witnessing significant advancements driven by technological innovations and industry developments. These innovations are revolutionizing the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of subsea electricity transmission. Here are some of the latest innovations and their implications for the sector:

High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Technology Advancements

Voltage Source Converters (VSC)
HVDC interconnectors utilizing VSC technology offer enhanced controllability, faster response times, and improved grid stability. They enable efficient power transmission, grid synchronization, and integration of renewable energy sources.
Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC)
MMC-based HVDC interconnectors provide higher transmission capacity, improved power quality, and reduced harmonics. They offer enhanced control capabilities, increased system availability, and lower transmission losses.

Advanced Cable Technologies

High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Cables
HTS cables, utilizing superconducting materials, offer significantly higher power-carrying capacity compared to conventional cables. They allow for greater power transmission within limited cable dimensions, enabling increased transmission capacity and reduced cable footprint.
Dynamic Cable Rating Systems
Innovative real-time monitoring systems and algorithms enable the dynamic rating of subsea cables based on environmental conditions. This ensures optimal power transmission, considering factors such as cable temperature, load conditions, and seawater cooling.

Intelligent Monitoring and Condition Assessment

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing
Fiber optic cables integrated into subsea interconnectors provide continuous monitoring of cable health, detecting strain, temperature, and leakage. This enables proactive maintenance and condition-based asset management, minimizing downtime and improving reliability.
Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning
Advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms are being applied to large volumes of operational data to identify patterns, predict failures, and optimize maintenance strategies. This enhances the performance and lifespan of subsea interconnectors.

Subsea Power Electronics and Energy Storage Integration

Power Electronics Integration
Subsea power electronics systems are being developed to enable power conversion and control closer to the offshore energy sources. This improves efficiency, reduces transmission losses, and enhances voltage stability.
Energy Storage Integration
Integration of energy storage systems, such as batteries or supercapacitors, with subsea interconnectors allows for energy balancing, frequency regulation, and grid stability. It facilitates the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources and improves overall system reliability.

Floating Subsea Interconnectors

Floating HVDC Solutions
Innovations in floating HVDC technology enable the deployment of subsea interconnectors in deep-water regions where traditional fixed foundations are not feasible. This expands the geographical reach and potential for cross-border power exchange.

Result of Interconnector Innovation

These innovations hold several implications for the sector:

Increased Capacity and Efficiency

Advanced technologies enable higher transmission capacities, improved power quality and reduced losses, enchancing the efficiency and utilization of subsea interconnectors.

Integration of Renewable Energy

Innovations support the seamless integration of renewable enrgy sources, enabling the transmission of clean energy across borders and fostering the growth of a sustainable energy landscape.

Grid Resilience and Stability

Enhanced control capabilities and real-time monitoring systems contribute to improved grid stability, rapid fault detection, and optimized system response, ensuring reliable and secure electricity transmission.

Cost Reduction and Environmental Benefits

Innovations in cable technology, monitoring systems, and maintenance strategies reduce operational costs, extend the lifespan of interconnectors, and minimize environmental impact.

Market Integration and Energy Trading

Advancements in subsea interconnectors encourage market integration, enable cross-border energy trading, and create opportunities for economic growth and improved energy security.

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