NSP Maritime Link Inc., a part of Emera Inc, awarded Hitachi Energy a contract to supply the HVDC Light® solution creating the first electricity link between the island of Newfoundland and North America.
The Maritime Link Project is a 500 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connection that enables clean, renewable electricity generated in Newfoundland and Labrador to be transmitted to the North American grid in Nova Scotia. The stabilizing features of Hitachi Energy's HVDC Light® solution also allow Nova Scotia to integrate additional renewables and contribute to Canada’s emission-reduction efforts.
The HVDC Light® Maritime Link is the first of its kind in the world with a full Voltage Source Converter (VSC) bipolar configuration, to enhance system availability. The converter stations are equipped with the advanced MACH control and protection system which acts as the brain of the HVDC link. It monitors, controls, and protects the system and manages thousands of operations to ensure power reliability. Its advanced fault registration and remote-control functions are also helping to protect the link from unexpected disruptions, such as lightning strikes.
In addition to the two converter stations for the ±200 kV HVDC link, the project scope also included two 230 kV AC substations in Newfoundland, one 345 kV AC substation in Nova Scotia, and two cable transition stations.
| Main data | |
|---|---|
| Commissioning year: | 2017 |
| Configuration: | Bipole |
| Power transmitted: | 500 MW |
| Direct voltage: | ±200 kV |
| Application: | Connecting remote generation; Interconnecting grids; Overhead transmission lines for HVDC |
