50Hertz, the transmission system operator (TSO) for eastern Germany, has awarded its Ostwind 4 project to GE Vernova, in partnership with Drydocks World, a DP World company that provides marine and offshore to the renewable energy sector, among others. The project involves the design, construction and commissioning of a 2-GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical transmission system – the first of its kind in the German Baltic Sea – connecting wind farms at sea with the German grid. Ostwind 4 is the fourth offshore project designed to connect wind farm fields northeast of the island of Rügen to the German power grid (Figure 1). Both an offshore conversion platform and an onshore conversion station will be built as part of the project. This is the first time that an offshore wind farm in Germany's Baltic Sea will incorporate 525-kV HVDC technology, which can carry more power than alternating current (AC) links with lower losses across longer distances. (caption id=”attachment_226855″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″)
1. Ostwind 4 is the fourth project to connect offshore wind farms (OWFs) from the north-east of the island of Rügen to the German power grid. Courtesy: 50Hertz(/caption) The wind farm concession area in which the project will be located was bought at auction by Total Energies. The area is located on the edge of Germany's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is expected that an undersea cable that will be approximately 110 kilometers (km) long will run from the offshore converter, through the Greifswald Bodden, to Lubmin near Vierow. An underground cable that will be approximately 4 km long will run from Lubmin to the substation planned by the converter in the town of Brünzow in the Vorpommern-Greifswald region. The DC is then converted back to AC and fed into the 50Hertz high voltage transmission grid. The contract for the production and installation of submarine and submarine cables was awarded to the Danish company NKT in 2023.
A very important collaboration for the modern transmission project
The GE Vernova-Drydocks World consortium is responsible for delivering both the offshore conversion platform and the onshore conversion station, enabling the seamless transmission of electricity from offshore wind farms in the 'Baltic Sea to Germany's transmission grid. As the leader of the consortium, GE Vernova will provide advanced HVDC technology, including voltage converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, air-core reactors, and g.3 gas-insulation switchgear (GIS). GE Vernova g3 (pronounced “g cubed”) as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF).6) insulating gas, with a significantly lower environmental impact – reduced global warming potential (GWP) by more than 99%, in comparison. At the same time, Mr3 results show the same ranking and footprint as SF6 options, and operate without any restrictions under the same temperature range as SF6 products (down to -30C). As part of the Ostwind 4 project, GE Vernova will handle civil works for the onshore switching station and grid telecommunications equipment. The company said the project will also benefit from GE Vernova's new HVDC Capability Center in Berlin, which aims to develop advanced technology to improve grid stability and integrate more renewable energy. Drydocks World manages the engineering, supply, construction and installation of wind power conversion station roof and jacket structures. The roof, which will be manufactured at Drydocks World's Dubai facility, will incorporate advanced equipment designed and manufactured in Europe. Once completed, the platform will be transported and installed in German waters. “The Ostwind 4 project is an example of the power of international cooperation in advancing renewable energy solutions,” said Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World. “Drydocks World is honored to support a movement of Germany to sustainable energy by delivering modern offshore infrastructure that incorporates engineering excellence and environmental stewardship.This achievement reaffirms our commitment to a breakthrough in innovation and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for offshore wind projects and supporting global efforts to build a greener future.”
'Innovative work'
“The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydocks World marks the beginning of a new chapter in the use of wind energy in the Baltic Sea. 50Hertz is the first transmission system operator to deploy 2-GW / 525-kV technology in this marine area. This is innovative work,” says Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz (Figure 2). “We want to ensure the full utilization of technically and economically feasible offshore wind energy potential in the Baltic Sea, especially with the help of direct current technology. To do this, we need to think and act in an even more networked way across national borders. One prerequisite for this is the creation of legal and regulatory conditions that allow wind farms in the waters of other EU states (European Union) to be connected to the German transmission grid.” (caption id=”attachment_226857″ align=”aligncenter” width=”740″)
2. Leaders are shown here after the symbolic signing of the contract. Standing are Stefan Hartge (GE Vernova), Marco Nix (50Hertz), Captain Rado Antolovic (Drydocks World). Seated are Johann Bindele (GE Vernova), Stefan Kapferer (50Hertz), HE Sultan Admed Bin Sulayem (Dubai Port World). Courtesy: 50Hertz/Kathrin Heller(/caption) GE Vernova noted that Germany has an ambitious energy transition framework (Energiewende), which aims to phase out coal completely by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. They said Germany's climate law requires 80% of the country's electricity supply to come from renewable sources by 2030, with a target of 100% by 2035. “Projects like Ostwind 4 are critical to their realization. goals, enabling the efficient transmission of renewable energy from offshore wind farms to the national grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels,” said GE Vernova. “Ostwind 4 represents an important milestone in our mission to electrify and decarbonize with the energy to change the world. Using our advanced HVDC technology, this major infrastructure project underlines the essential role of offshore wind in ensuring European energy security and accelerating the global energy transition. This order also highlights the rapid growth in GE Vernova's Electrification division, our fastest growing business, as our customers invest in the grid. We are very proud to collaborate with 50Hertz and Drydocks World to advance Germany's renewable energy goals and set a new standard for sustainable and sustainable grid infrastructure,” said Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova's electrification business “Drydocks World's leading role in the Ostwind 4 project underlines its technical excellence and commitment to sustainable infrastructure reflecting DP World's broader mission to drive clean energy transitions and economic growth As the global energy landscape evolves, we remain committed to leveraging our expertise. and our innovative capabilities to support initiatives that drive clean energy transitions and economic development,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World. “Ostwind 4 demonstrates the advances in HVDC technology that GE Vernova is delivering to support the integration of renewable energy sources at transformative levels. Use of our voltage converters, g3 Gas powered switchgear, and robust system design ensure not only efficient power transmission but also operational reliability over long distances. We are honored to lead this project in collaboration with our consortium partner Drydocks World and support 50Hertz in pushing the boundaries of energy innovation,” said Johan Bindele, director of Grid Systems Integration at GE Vernova's Grid Solutions business. –Aaron Larson is executive editor of POWER (@POWERmagazine).
