Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - InnoDC (Innovative tools for offshore wind and DC grids)
Teaser
InnoDC (Innovative tools for offshore wind and direct current (DC) grids) is training 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) in offshore wind energy and DC grids. The project’s partners are a mix of academic and industrial organisations based in Europe and China. This ensures a...
Summary
InnoDC (Innovative tools for offshore wind and direct current (DC) grids) is training 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) in offshore wind energy and DC grids. The project’s partners are a mix of academic and industrial organisations based in Europe and China. This ensures a combination of knowledge and experience for the ESRs to become international renewable energy experts.
What is the problem / issue being addressed?
Technology and devices for offshore wind are constantly developing. InnoDC’s research focuses on the models and methods for integrating the new technology (eg offshore wind turbines, VSC HVDC converters, long AC cables) into the power-system. The ESRs are working with experts to tackle key issues, such as how to adapt new devices that behave differently to traditional power-systems. The systems have distinct elements, each with limited information of the overall system. The project is training the ESRs to develop tools to aid these new energy-systems users.
Why is it important for society?
Europe’s power system has seen significant changes in recent decades, notably the development of renewable energy. However, further changes are essential to make our energy system ready to contribute to the United Nations\' climate goals. Offshore wind energy is increasing its share of electricity generation; InnoDC is preparing the ESRs to maintain Europe’s position of leadership in renewable energy and in tackling climate change.
What are the overall objectives?
The main objective is to train a new generation of researchers who are capable of converting their new knowledge of offshore wind power and DC grids into future products and services. The result is highly skilled young engineers, crucial for the installation and operation of future DC grids.
Work performed
The technical work is divided into 3 work packages (WP), with 5 ESRs per package. They summarise the purpose of their work in these 2-3 minute videos:
WP1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=actmkFld-5k&t=18s
WP2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEYlQEubDck&t=92s
WP3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wF6QphY7vk
They worked on the following Deliverables and Milestones to 31 August 2019:
WP1 - Components of DC grids and wind farms:
D1.1 (Aug 2018) Report on the evaluation of DC/DC converters, submarine cables and offshore substations on losses, cost, economy and reliability.
MS1 (Aug 2018) Targeted models of MMCs, DC/DC transformers, HVDC outdoor insulation, cost analysis and SCADA/EMS determined.
D1.2 (Feb 2019) Report on the control requirements, protections and fault management of DC/DC converters and MMCs.
D1.3 (Aug 2019) Methodology for reducing the weight and costs of the HV and MV equipment for connecting to AC and DC systems.
MS2 (Aug 2019) Methodology for weight and cost reduction of power converter stations presented.
WP2 - Connections of offshore wind farm:
D2.1 (Aug 2018) Progress report on review and evaluation of OWPP control systems, collection configurations & transmission technologies, offshore electrical resonance instability phenomenon.
MS4 (Aug 2018) Targeted models of DC collection system, low frequency AC offshore transmission, wind turbines determined.
D2.2 (Feb 2019) Algorithms on characterising analytically resonance frequencies & power management.
D2.3 (Aug 2019) Report on optimal control, resonance mitigation and system configuration, tool for technical and economic analysis of different transmission technologies combined with different collection concepts.
MS5 (Aug 2019) New algorithms for electrical instability analysis and cluster control.
WP3 - Hybrid AC/DC grid (interactions between AC & DC grids):
D3.1 (Aug 2018) Progress report on the review and evaluation of DC and AC grid operation and interactions in different time frames.
MS7 (Aug 2018) Targeted models of hybrid AC/DC grids, controller design methods, reliability assessment methods determined.
D3.2 (Feb 2019) Report on dynamic converter interactions and the feasibility of different software routines to represent the problems.
D3.3 (Aug 2019) Mathematical framework for converter interaction modelling.
MS8 (Aug 2019) Protection algorithms of DC grids considering AC/DC interactions proposed and verified.
Final results
The ESR training was designed in accordance with the EU Strategic Framework for Education and Training, and to foster ‘responsible research and innovation’. This includes public work, open access, gender issues, ethics, education and promotion.
InnoDC shares its research within the academic and industrial community; it publishes journal articles (https://innodc.org/journals/), and presents at international conferences (https://innodc.org/training-events/). Its work package reports are available to read on the website at https://innodc.org/work-packages/. It invites other researchers to its network meetings to build collaboration, and it discusses research with other experts at annual HVDC colloquiums.
The ESRs meet policy-makers (https://innodc.org/working-with-government-policy-makers/), and talk to the public about their work at numerous events (https://innodc.org/meeting-the-public/).
It sends newsletters (https://innodc.org/about/newsletters/), for which subscribers include industry experts, academics, policy-makers, government officials and members of the public.
The project posts updates on its Twitter @Inno_DC and its LinkedIn page. It uploads its own project-related videos on its YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrfBzz3SExZZgxPEhyX89Q.
The overall effect is internationally shared knowledge and raised public awareness.
Website & more info
More info: https://innodc.org/.