wiredInUSA June 2017

HVDC recognition

Monitoring tender

Transmission system operator TenneT TSO is sourcing a provider of cable monitoring systems for subsea and land cables to be installed in the Dutch North Sea and on the west coast of the Netherlands. The scope of the intended five-year contract includes design, engineering, production, delivery and installation of DTS (distributed temperature sensing) and RTTR (real time thermal rating) cable monitoring systems for a 220kV sea cable. The scope can include DTS/RTTR systems for a 220kV and/or a 380kV AC land cable, in order to connect the offshore AC platforms with land stations and an existing 380kV grid. The two-phase tendering process will last until July 2017, with the contract awarded in October. Cable monitoring systems wanted for subsea and land cables installed in the Dutch North Sea. Photograph courtesy of TenneT

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has recognized the world’s first commercial HVDC transmission link, in Gotland, Sweden, as a breakthrough milestone in electrical engineering. ABB introduced high voltage direct current (HVDC) over 60 years ago, with the Gotland link being the first in the world. This pioneering landmark will now be a part of the prestigious IEEE Milestones hall of fame, which recognizes significant technical achievements in electrical engineering. Previous IEEE Milestone recognitions include the invention of the light bulb, the CD player, and the birth of the Internet. With over 400,000 members, the IEEE is the world’s largest association of technical professionals. The first commercial HVDC transmission link enabled power to flow through a 96km subsea cable between Västervik, on the Swedish mainland, and Ygne, a town located on the island of Gotland. When first installed, the link had a capacity of 20MW and operated at 100kV. The link has been progressively upgraded by ABB as the technology has developed, and today has a rated voltage of 150kV with the capacity to transmit 320MW.

wiredInUSA - June 2017

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