New DNV GL Guidelines and Practices Ensure Safe Connection of Offshore Wind to the Transmission Grid Using

Arnhem, The Netherlands (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Growing number of offshore wind farms being built farther from shore
increase need for reliable measures for the use of HVDC transmission systems
- DNV GL's new recommended practice on technology qualification of offshore HVDC
technologies provides a means for managing technology risks and facilitating a faster,
more efficient and more reliable deployment of offshore HVDC transmission
- Joint Industry Project partnered with major industry players including: ABB,
Alstom Grid, DONG Energy, Elia, Europacable, Scottish Power, Statkraft, Statnett,
Statoil, Svenska Kraftnat and Vattenfall.

DNV GL [http://www.dnvgl.com/energy ], a leading global energy
advisory and testing authority as well as the world's largest
resource of independent energy experts, has together with the Swedish
Transmission Research Institute (STRI) and ten industry players
developed a methodology for technology qualification of offshore High
Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technologies through a joint industry
project.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/706709 )

As offshore wind farms are being built farther from the coast and
more offshore oil and gas installations are powered from shore, there
will be an increasing need for long-distance underwater power
transmission in the years to come. Use of HVDC transmission allows
power transmission through cables over longer distances and higher
capacities compared to what is feasible when using AC transmission,
and will hence often be the preferred solution for long-distance
power underwater transmission.

However, to date operational experiences with offshore HVDC
transmission technologies are very limited and there is a lack of
relevant standards, guidelines and recommendations for stakeholders
to rely on.

Peter Vaessen, Segment Director Future Transmission Grids at DNV
GL comments: "Implementation of new technology always introduces
uncertainties that imply risk for its developers, manufacturers and
end-users. With this technology qualification, we enable our
customers to provide the evidence that the technology used will
function within the specified limits with an acceptable level of
confidence. Customers can ensure that each step is agreed in advance
with the technology provider and the buyer, whilst delivering
projects on time."

The immature nature of offshore HVDC technologies causes
uncertainties and increased risk exposure for stakeholders and makes
the projects complicated and costly. As a means to manage the
technology risks associated with offshore HVDC transmission projects,
DNV GL and STRI have developed a recommended practice on technology
qualification of offshore HVDC technologies through a joint industry
project with ten industry players. The new recommended practice is
based on DNV GL's methodology for technology qualification, which has
been used extensively for managing technology risks in the oil and
gas industry for more than a decade.

Technology qualification is a method for providing evidence that
technical equipment will function within specified operational limits
with an acceptable level of confidence, both for suppliers and buyers
of the relevant equipment. In order to accurately incorporate
feedback from all major stakeholders during the testing process, this
Joint Industry Project partnered with major industry players
including: ABB, Alstom Grid, DONG Energy, Elia, Europacable, Scottish
Power, Statkraft, Statnett, Statoil, Svenska Kraftnat and Vattenfall.

With several distinguishing features, a DNV GL recommended
practice is more than just a guideline. It is the result of a
collaborative effort of an industry-wide consortium. Like all of the
100+ recommended practices DNV GL manages, the recommended practice
on technology qualification of HVDC technologies will be extensively
peer reviewed, professionally formulated and published, and regularly
updated.

The publication of the Recommended Practice is available to
download here
[http://www.dnvgl.com/energy/download/recommended-practice-hvdc.aspx
].

About DNV GL

Driven by its purpose of safeguarding life, property and the
environment, DNV GL enables organisations to advance the safety and
sustainability of their business. DNV GL provides classification and
technical assurance along with software and independent expert
advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries.
It also provides certification services to customers across a wide
range of industries. DNV GL, whose origins go back to 1864, operates
globally in more than 100 countries with its 16,000 professionals
dedicated to helping their customers make the world safer, smarter
and greener.

In the Energy industry

In DNV GL we unite the strengths of DNV, KEMA, Garrad Hassan and
GL Renewables Certification. DNV GL's 2,500 energy experts support
customers around the globe in delivering a safe, reliable, efficient,
and sustainable energy supply. We deliver world-renowned testing,
certification and advisory services to the energy value chain
including renewables and energy efficiency. Our expertise spans
onshore and offshore wind power, solar, conventional generation,
transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy
use, as well as energy markets and regulations. Our testing,
certification and advisory services are delivered independent from
each other.

Learn more at http://www.dnvgl.com/energy.

Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/706709

ots Originaltext: DNV GL
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media contacts: Mona Ghobadi / Katie Ward, EML Wildfire
+44-(0)-208-408-8000, dnvgl@emlwildfire.com