The offshore converter station is part of the DolWin2 project which will be operated by transmission system operator TenneT and will connect offshore wind farms in the North Sea's DolWin cluster with the German grid. The main function of the station will be to convert the electricity generated by the offshore wind farms from AC into HVDC.
"After the successful handover of the DolWin1 link in July, this is another key milestone in the execution of our offshore wind projects," said ABB ceo Ulrich Spiesshofer. "It is a further example of our focus on relentless execution and of the ongoing progress in the Power Systems division's Step Change programme."
DolWin2 is part of Germany's energy transition roadmap, called 'Energiewende', which aims to generate more than 6.5GW from offshore wind by 2020 and 15GW by 2030. The DolWin1 grid connection also contributes to this goal.
Including its substructure, the platform weighs around 23,000t and is around 100m long, 70m wide and 100m tall. DolWin beta utilises an innovative self-installing gravity-based structure concept, whereby the platform is ballasted down to the seabed by filling its six columns with water, which will then be completely replaced by gravel to permanently secure the platform.
"Putting such a huge platform in place is one of the most delicate operations in the delivery of an offshore power link, requiring intensive pre-planning and cooperation between the stakeholders involved and we are pleased that this important project landmark has gone smoothly," said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB Power Systems division.
