Hitachi Energy‘s high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology has been selected to augment the connection between mainland Australia and Tasmania for the nation-leading Marinus Link transmission project.
The approximately 345km cable route HVDC system will enable the flow of renewable power in both directions between Victoria and Tasmania.
Related article: Marinus Link: connecting Tasmania’s clean energy future
For the first time in Australia, Marinus Link will use advanced converter technology at both ends of the link to stabilise and integrate more and more renewables into the power grid.
The connection will enable the Tasmanian state to import excess supply of solar and wind produced in Victoria, while reserving its hydro and storing the extra energy. Clean hydropower can then feed the mainland grid when it is needed most, acting as a large battery for the nation.
Hitachi Energy will supply its HVDC Light voltage source converter (VSC) stations in the first stage of the project, which will convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for efficient, long-distance transmission and DC to AC, where the electricity is returned to the grid.
Upon completion of both project stages, Marinus Link will have a total capacity of 1.5GW—enough to power 1.5 million Australian homes.
Marinus Link CEO Caroline Wykamp said, “Today, we have taken another firm step towards project execution.
“With our essential HVDC systems secured, Marinus Link is poised for delivery by the end of the decade. Marinus Link is a cornerstone project of the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Plan and is classified as urgent in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s national energy plan.
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“The Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments recently entered an historic agreement for joint ownership of Marinus Link, securing it as a critical transmission project for Australia.”
Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology 70 years ago and has
delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects.
