OREANDA-NEWS. Alstom and the German-Dutch transmission system operator TenneT have reached another key milestone in the North Sea offshore grid connection project - ‘DolWin3’. Two 700 MVA power transformers were successfully delivered and installed on the platform based in the Warnemüde shipyard in Germany, operated by Nordic Yards. The offshore grid connection project DolWin3 will provide clean energy by connecting the North Sea wind farms to the mainland. TenneT awarded DolWin3 to Alstom in February 2013. The project is on track to be completed in 2017. 

The transformers were designed and built by Alstom specifically for the DolWin3 converter project at its Mönchengladbach plant in Germany. During routine inspections, one transformer can continue to operate allowing the converter platform to transmit the energy generated uninterrupted. Weighing in at about 500 tonnes – they were transferred on a 1,200-km-long journey by road, river and sea before being installed on the platform in Warnemünde, where they are  located in rooms specially designed with special corrosion protection against the harsh and aggressive offshore climate. 

“The energy transition is this century´s big national task. For this reason we need the offshore wind power. Today is an important day for the entire DolWin3 project. This day shows the progress in the important industrial part of the energy transition – the development of the offshore wind power!”, said Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 

“With the grid connection DolWin3, we will provide a total of about 7,000 MW connectivity in the North Sea, transporting offshore wind power to the shore. This is equivalent to the supply of about nine million households with green energy. The German government´s offshore-expansion target for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea of 6,500 MW until 2020 will be fulfilled early”, said Wilfried Breuer, Member of the Management at TenneT Offshore GmbH. 

“The 900 MW  wind energy DolWin3 is the most powerful and largest HVDC-converter platform built at Nordic Yards. In cooperation with Alstom and TenneT we are moving the German energy transition another step further”, said Herbert Aly, CEO of Nordic Yards. 

“The two power transformers are core components of the DolWin 3 offshore converter platform. Today’s milestone further confirms our leadership in HVDC technology. This installation is the prerequisite for completion of the platform’s steel structure by Nordic Yards and the onward completion of the project” said Gerhard Seyrling, Vice President Alstom Grid, Region Central & Eastern Europe and Russia. 

As the general contractor for TenneT, Alstom supplies and constructs both the onshore and offshore converter stations as well as the connecting cable systems for DolWin3. The project will use direct current technology with Voltage Source Converters (VSC) (±320 kV, 900 MW) to deliver the energy generated at sea to the mainland. 

About TenneT

TenneT is a leading European Transmission System Operator (TSO) operating mainly in the Netherlands and Germany. With approximately 21,000 kilometres of high-voltage lines, we ensure a reliable and secure electricity supply to our 41 million end-users in the markets that we serve. We currently have approx. 3,000 employees. TenneT is one of the largest investors in national and international electricity grids, both onshore and offshore. Our focus is on integrating the Northwest European energy markets and facilitating the transition to a sustainable energy supply. TenneT is committed to meeting the needs of society by being responsible, engaged and connected.
Taking power further 

About Nordic Yards

Nordic Yards with sites in Wismar, Warnemünde and Stralsund is one of the leading developers and manufacturers of technologically sophisticated and innovative maritime structures and complex offshore projects. The three shipyards, employing a staff of around 1,400, have altogether delivered around 2,500 newbuildings in their respectively 70-year history. The company’s strategic focus is on offshore and Arctic projects:  In addition to the engineering and fabrication of ice-breaking and ice-going ships, Nordic has been successful in the offshore wind business since early 2011, e.g. with the construction of HVDC converter platforms, foundation structures and service vessels. Nordic Yards is market leader in the design and manufacturing of offshore converter platforms for a low loss energy transmission of offshore wind energy. HelWin alpha, BorWin beta and SylWin alpha have been installed in the North Sea and are already in commercial operation. The fourth, most powerful platform DolWin gamma is currently under construction. 

About Alstom 

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 88,000 people in around 100 countries. 

In Germany, Alstom has a workforce of 7,600 people who are working on 23 sites in power generation, energy transmission and rail infrastructure. 

About Alstom Grid

Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planet’s low carbon economy... for now and for the future

Alstom Grid has over 130 years’ experience and ranks among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of €3.8 billion. Alstom Grid’s 17,000 employees are spread across 87 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one common mission: be our customers’ trusted partner, from the source to the city.