Posters

Abstract

Increasing the array voltage is fundamental to unlocking the dramatic cost savings that the next generation of turbines (>15MW) will deliver. The Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) High Voltage Array Systems (Hi-VAS) Project has found 132kV (145kV Umax) to be the optimal next array operating voltage. 132kV offers significant cost saving potential over 66kV, even for wind turbines of 14MW, and the benefits increase further with larger turbine sizes. The project has also highlighted the urgency to transition to 132kV. It is predicted that the earliest 132kV wind farms could be operational is the end of the 2020s, with even this timescale being dependent on significant proactive work being carried out immediately between developers and the supply chain. In particular, uncertainty remains in respect of 132kV array cables. It is vital to the quick, safe and cost-effective transition from 66kV to 132kV that the industry collaborates to define the requirements for 132kV array cables, including performance, reliability and cost. Key to these requirements for 132kV array cables will be building consensus on whether they can be wet-design cables, or whether they should be dry-design cables. To build industry-wide consensus on 132kV array cable requirements, the Hi-VAS project is carrying out widespread engagement with the supply chain, developers and TSOs. The 132kV array cable requirements established through the Hi-VAS project are being fed into the development of new cable design standards for high voltage array cables, which is crucial for the acceleration of their availability. The requirements are currently under development and will be concluded by February 2023. A key part of building industry consensus is dissemination, and WindEurope will be the perfect platform to present to the industry the requirements for 132kV array cable for the first time.