Australia's first to use advanced HVDC technology to stabilize the grid as renewable energy increases – Nationally significant transmission project plays a key role in Australia's energy transition, delivering power to 1.5 million homes — Hitachi Energy's bidirectional transmission technology will unlock Tasmania's world-class wind and hydro storage resources, delivering affordable, reliable clean energy to Australians.
Hitachi Energy’s HVDC technology powers Australia’s Marinus Link
Hitachi Energy’s HVDC technology powers Australia’s Marinus Link
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, May 23, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — Hitachi Energy selected by Marinus Link Pty Ltd (MLPL) to supply nationally significant high voltage direct current (HVDC) project I got it. Connects mainland Australia and Tasmania's electricity grids.
Approximately 345 kilometers of cable route HVDC systems will enable the flow of renewable power in both directions between Victoria and Tasmania.
Marinus Link is the first in Australia to use advanced converter technology at both ends of the link to stably integrate more renewable energy into the electricity grid.
The connection will allow Tasmania to import surplus supplies of solar and wind produced in Victoria, while securing hydropower and storing surplus energy. Clean hydropower acts as a big battery for the nation, powering the mainland grid when it's needed most. Additionally, security of supply will be strengthened on Australia's electricity grid, where electricity generation from sustainable sources is increasing.
Hitachi Energy will supply an HVDC Light® Voltage Source Converter (VSC) station in the first phase of the project, which will convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and DC to AC for efficient long-distance transmission, before feeding the electricity back into the grid.
“Australia is rapidly transforming its power grid to support the integration of more clean energy sources, and we are developing HVDC technology to help transmit large amounts of power with greater stability and lower electrical losses. We are proud of this,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration Division. “Interconnections like Marinus Link allow customers to access affordable, on-demand renewable energy supplies and increase storage capacity.”
Once both phases of the project are complete, Marinus Link will have a total capacity of 1,500 megawatts (MW), equivalent to the electricity needs of 1.5 million Australian homes. In line with Australia's net zero target, this link will reduce emissions by up to 140 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2050, equivalent to approximately 1 million cars, once coal-fired power generation is phased out. It will be equivalent to removing it from the road. 1
Australia has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. The lowest cost way to get safe, reliable electricity is renewable energy connected to an efficient transmission system and supported by storage and pumped hydro.
The Marinus Link is a project of national importance that plays a fundamental role in both countries' energy ecosystems and will require a major overhaul of Australia's electricity infrastructure to meet growing electricity demand through Australia's renewable energy transition and ensure a steady, reliable flow of electricity.
“Today, we take another step towards project execution. With our essential HVDC system secured, Marinus Link is ready for completion in 10 years. “This project is a keystone of the Australian Government's National Rewiring Plan and is classified as an urgent issue in the Australian Energy Market Operator's National Energy Plan,” said MarinasLink CEO Caroline Wykamp. “The Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments recently entered into a historic joint ownership agreement for Marinus Link, securing it as a significant transmission project for Australia.”
Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world's HVDC projects. Currently, the company has the largest HVDC installed base in the world.
1 https://www.marinuslink.com.au/
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CONTACT: Media Relations Hitachi Energy media.relations@hitachienergy.com Justin White Marinus Link Pty Ltd justin.white@marinuslink.com.au
