EU - PROMOTioN: The goal is to develop and demonstrate key technologies to boost offshore grids

Launched this January, the project ‘PROgress on Meshed HVDC Offshore Transmission Networks’ (PROMOTioN) aims to investigate these benefits during the next four years. Currently it is the biggest energy project in the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research Program.

The goal is to develop and demonstrate three key technologies: diode rectifier offshore converters, multi-vendor HVDC (high-voltage direct current) grid protection system, and the full power testing of HVDC circuit breakers. Furthermore, a regulatory and financial framework will be developed for the coordinated planning, construction and operation of integrated offshore infrastructures, including an offshore grid deployment plan (roadmap) for the future offshore grid system in Europe.  

Currently, the high cost of converter technology, a lack of experience with protection systems and fault clearance components hamper the deployment of meshed HVDC offshore grids. In addition the deployment is hindered by limitations inherent to existing European regulations for the purpose of developing cross border offshore infrastructures, national legal and regulatory barriers and financing issues.

Marie Donelly, Director Renewables, Research and Innovation, Energy Efficiency – DG ENER, said: “There is great potential in the Northern Seas to deliver significant quantities of clean energy, helping us both to decarbonise our economy and to increase the security of our energy supply. The Northern Seas offer unique opportunities for cooperation and to deliver cost-reduction to the offshore energy systems.  We think that an offshore grid in the North Sea could become a flagship project for regional cooperation as foreseen by the Energy Union.” 

Elisabeth Harstad, CEO DNV GL – Energy, explained: “Combining new HVDC technologies within present systems is instrumental in bringing large scale renewables into the grid and to ensure a future-proof grid which is affordable, reliable and sustainable. By bringing in our 90 years of expertise in power systems, renewable technologies and experience in leading many joint industry projects I am confident DNV GL can guide the consortium in realizing this important project.”

PROMOTioN is funded under the EU Horizon2020 research programme (H2020) from January 2016 until December 2019. The project consortium which is coordinated by DNV GL includes 34 partners from 11 countries - all major HVDC manufacturers, TSO’s linked to the North Sea, several wind turbine suppliers, offshore wind developers, leading academics, and consulting companies.  A series of stakeholder workshops and events will be organised during the project phase to discuss the various technological and regulatory approaches.

List of Participants

“This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 691714”.