Long Distance Subsea

Power Transmission
and Distribution

Peter Baker

woodplc.com
Contents
• Parameters used
• Technology options
• Cable options
• Typical distance limitations
• Typical cost comparison
• Qualified technology
• Advantages / disadvantages
• Power transmission and distribution options
• Summary
2 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution
Parameters used
• Power ̴ 30MW

• Voltage ̴ 110kV

• Distances up to 600km offshore

• Water depths to 1500m

3 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Technology Options
• AC (3 phase)

• DC

4 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Technology Options
High Voltage Alternating Current - HVAC (50Hz)

Onshore Subsea

̴
LVAC 50Hz HVAC 50Hz LVAC
50Hz

Generator Transformer Transformer Subsea Load

LV / HV HV / LV

5 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

 Technology Options
Low Frequency High Voltage Alternating Current - LFHVAC (16⅔Hz)

Onshore Subsea

̴
LVAC 50Hz LFHVAC 16⅔Hz LVAC 50Hz

50Hz 16⅔Hz

16⅔Hz 50Hz

Generator Transformer Frequency Frequency Transformer Subsea Load

LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV

6 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

 Technology Options
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC

Onshore Subsea

̴ ̴
LVAC 50Hz HVDC LVAC 50Hz

̴
Generator Transformer AC / DC DC / AC Transformer Subsea
LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV Load

7 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

 Technology Options
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC

Onshore Subsea

̴ ̴
LVAC 50Hz HVDC LVAC 50Hz

̴
Generator Transformer AC / DC DC / AC Transformer Subsea
LV / HV Converter Converter HV / LV Load

8 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Cable Options
HVDAC & LFHVAC HVDC Single Core HVDC Coaxial

Images courtesy of Nexans

9 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Typical Distance Limitations

10 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Typical Cost Comparison
Cost

HVDC
cable cost
HVAC
LFHVAC
HVDC
LFHVAC
cable cost

HVDC
terminal costs
HVAC
cable cost LFHVAC
terminal costs

HVAC
terminal costs

Distance (km)

11 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Qualified Technology
Item Parameter HVAC LFHVAC HVDC
Cable Static ✓ ✓ ✓
Dynamic ✓ ✓ 
Shore equipment Generator ✓ ✓ ✓
Transformer ✓ ✓ ✓
Converter N/A ✓ ✓
Subsea equipment Transformer ✓ ✓ N/A
Converter   
Variable Speed Drives *  
Power Conditioning   
Connectors ✓ ✓ 

12 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Advantages / Disadvantages
System Advantages Disadvantages
HVAC Conventional subsea cable technology Cable electrical losses > 100km

Conventional topside hardware technology Most subsea hardware not qualified

Lowest hardware costs

LFHVAC Conventional subsea cable technology Cable electrical losses > 300km

Conventional topside hardware technology No qualified subsea hardware technology

Lower cable electrical losses compared to
Higher hardware costs > HVAC
HVAC
HVDC Conventional subsea static cable technology Subsea dynamic cable not qualified

Conventional topside hardware technology No qualified subsea hardware technology

Lowest cable electrical losses Highest hardware costs > LFHVAC

13 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

HVAC Power Transmission <50km
Generation /
Power
conditioning

Subsea Load

14 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

HVAC >50km, LFHVAC & HVDC Power Transmission

Generation

Power conditioning
and control capsule

Transformer Subsea Load

15 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

HVAC, LFHVAC and HVDC Power Transmission

Generation

Power
conditioning and
control buoy

Subsea Load

16 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

Summary

HVAC < 150km

LFHVAC > 150km < 300km
HVDC > 300km < 600km

17 A presentation by Wood. Long Distance Subsea Power Transmission and Distribution

woodplc.com