Grid & Grid Connection

Project support offshore wind – Electrical

The conversion of wind energy into electrical energy is an important but initially only a first step towards enabling the consumer to use a light bulb.

The conversion process is characterised by its complexity. The energy is transported to the platform via the neighbouring wind turbines using the internal park cabling. There, the electrical voltage is increased by transformers. In some cases, it is necessary to convert alternating current into direct current in order to bring the energy ashore via long cables. Here, the energy can be fed into the existing grid.

Cables

Cables are therefore of fundamental importance as the neural network of the wind farm. From the perspective of acquisition costs, cables generally only account for a very small proportion of the costs of the wind farm. On the other hand, the financial consequences of defects are much higher compared to wind turbines. In the event of damage to a wind turbine, only one of many turbines fails. If the cables are damaged, several turbines are directly affected.
Also the focus of monitoring and maintenance is on the mechanical and moving parts of the wind turbine and not on the cables buried in the ground. However, the fact that the cables are laid in the ground also means that repairing or even replacing them in the event of damage is far more complex and expensive.
When selecting components and suppliers, particular attention must be paid to the highest quality and existing expertise. A careful selection process is essential for this. The foundation for smooth operation throughout the service life of the cable is laid during production. If problems occur here, the feed-in of the entire wind farm is jeopardised.
Due to the short lengths and time-consuming troubleshooting, the cables for the internal farm cabling are often replaced directly as a whole, although this process is also associated with considerable costs. This is not an option for export cables due to their length. Detailed troubleshooting of the cables buried in the seabed is unavoidable. Consequently, the underlying contract and the resulting consequences are of the utmost importance for procurement, processing and also in the event of a fault. In particular, liability clauses in the event of damage and serial damage as well as the question of follow-up costs are highly significant.

Platform

The platform in the wind farm is also the elementary link between the wind farm and the transmission and distribution grid.The platforms are characterised by a complex interplay of various electrical and non-electrical components. Faults in this interaction are capable of interrupting the feed-in of the entire wind farm. Thorough testing therefore forms the basis for the smooth interaction of these components. In order to ensure this, a special focus must be placed on this when drafting the contract. Furthermore, the complexity described above often leads to costly delays. These must be minimised through a clear contract and professional project management.
In conclusion, it can be said that professional management of the electrical packages is essential for the successful construction and operation of a wind farm. Contract management in particular represents an important building block for the process just described.

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CARNEADES Project Services GmbH
Überseering 4
D-22297 Hamburg

contact@carneades.com
Tel: +49 40 63 70730-0
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