DNV GL Advises on World's First Multi-Terminal VSC HVDC Transmission Project Integrating Clean Energy Into China's Regional Power Composition Mix

ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwired - Feb 3, 2014) -   

• Wind power generated on Nanao island is fed into China's regional power grid, safeguarding future energy supply as power generation methods transition from coal towards renewables solutions
• Project uses voltage sourced converter high-voltage direct current (VSC HVDC) transmission based on modular multi-level converter(MMC) technology
• Innovative pilot project tackles the challenge of building advanced smart grids to keep up with China's growing electricity demand and provides confidence to the global industry for development of the so-called "HVDC super grids" in the future

DNV GL, the world's largest resource of independent energy experts, today announced its involvement in the successful commissioning of the world's first three-terminal VSC HVDC system in China, which will help to integrate clean renewable energy into the power grid.

With steadily growing electricity demand, China is facing the challenge of expanding its grid to keep up with requirements, while addressing environmental targets.

The pilot project with designed ratings of ±160kV/200MW-100MW-50MW brings dispersed, intermittent clean wind power generated on Nanao island into the mainland Guangdong power grid through 32km of combination of HVDC land cables, sea cables and overheard lines. This pilot project has innovative research character and is supported by the Chinese national science & technology ministry. SEPRI (Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid) is technically responsible for the entire project. Multiple suppliers are involved: three different VSC HVDC valve suppliers, two different HVDC land/sea cable suppliers and three different control & protection system/equipment suppliers. All of them are Chinese domestic manufacturers. The project layout as attached.

The project demonstrates another successful collaboration between DNV GL and SEPRI since their initial co-operation on the world's first ±800kV/5000MW Yun-Guang LCC HVDC transmission project in 2007. DNV GL once again provided in-depth technical expertise and consulted on the feasibility of the project, enabling the innovative VSC HVDC system to move into stable operation.

The world's first three-terminal system has been successfully put into stable operation on December 19^th 2013 and Dr Yanny Fu, Principal Consultant in DNV GL's energy business, who is the invited technical expert on the project, commented: "We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to work on this world record-breaking event in China. SEPRI has demonstrated great leadership and pioneering work with its multi-terminal VSC HVDC transmission technology and is helping to build a promising, sustainable, cleaner energy future." She is standing in the following SEPRI group photo attached which was taken in front of control terminals of Jinniu converter station.

The successful commissioning of this multi-terminal VSC HVDC transmission project is a very important milestone, not only for CSG, but also for the global power industry as a whole. It verifies the technical capability of the MMC VSC HVDC transmission technology and provides confidence to the industry for development of the so-called "HVDC super grids" in the future. Dr. Xu Shukai, technical leader of this pilot project at SEPRI, standing 3^rd from left of above group photo, said, "CSG is now the first in the world to have practical experiences in realization and operating a multi-terminal VSC HVDC transmission project which laid foundation for wider applications of this promising technology specially in collecting multi clean energy sources from different geographical locations and then distributing them to multi load centers at different geographical locations."

Dr. Fu added, "This project is also very important for DNV GL. We are pleased to be involved as an independent third party. We aim to provide the global power industry with the highest level of technical support and services in an effort to address the most challenging technical issues facing our clients by applying innovation and energy industry expertise across the value chain."

About DNV GL
Driven by its purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organisations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. DNV GL provides classification and technical assurance along with software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. It also provides certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. DNV GL, whose origins go back to 1864, operates globally in more than 100 countries with its 16,000 professionals dedicated to helping their customers make the world safer, smarter and greener.

In the Energy industry
DNV GL delivers world-renowned testing, certification and advisory services to the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency. The company combines the strengths and rich heritage of five well-known brands: KEMA, DNV, GL, Garrad Hassan and GL Renewables Certification. The expertise of the combined new company spans onshore and offshore wind power, solar, conventional generation, transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy use, as well as energy markets and regulations. DNV GL's 3000 energy experts support customers around the globe in delivering a safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy supply.

Learn more at www.dnvgl.com/energy

About SEPRI:
SEPRI (Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid) is a subsidiary of CSG (China Southern Power Grid Co. Ltd.). CSG was established in December 2002 after the power sector de-regulatory reform in China. CSG invests, constructs and operates power networks in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hainan provinces and regions. The service area of CSG is up to 1 million square kilometres, with a population of 230 million. In 2011, the electricity sales was 666.7TWh. The company revenue reached 379.4 billion RMB; company assets amounted to 527.5 billion RMB. CSG ranked 149^th on the Fortune Global 500 list in 2011. See www.csg.cn