ABB breakthrough could enable European electrical supergrid

Transmission system operators (TSOs) are examining a breakthrough made by ABB that could help to more efficiently and cheaply link renewable energy sources, which tend to be in remote locations, to the rest of the grid.

ABB said its high voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breaker is the first of its kind to work quickly enough to allow safe operation of an HVDC transmission network, which is seen as a possible way to deal with the growing amount of renewable energy generation.

‘There is a need to transport more energy across Europe, both north/south and east/west,’ said ABB technology manager Per Skytt, speaking at a press conference.

‘Over long distances, DC is more cost effective than AC … It’s also a more efficient use of land because you can use lines that transmit more power in the same space.’

Underwater HVDC cables are currently used to link several European national grids with one another and HVDC is expected to become even more important as a way of connecting multiple wind, solar or hydro-electric plants and transporting their energy across the continent.