Linking up

Many efforts have been and are being made around the globe to implement renewable energy. The European Commission’s Third Energy Package states what it requires, which is the “development of a blueprint for a North Sea offshore grid, interconnecting national electricity grids and plugging in planned offshore wind projects”.

Adhering to the needs of the commission, an Irish firm, Imera announced its plans to build EuropaGrid – a €4.4 billion ($6 billion) project that will develop North Sea and Atlantic electricity grids connecting key markets and offshore wind farms, thus providing an apt solution.

With interconnectors between Ireland and the UK, France and the UK, and Belgium and the UK, these projects form the foundation for EuropaGrid. It will comprise of two networks. EuropaGrid North Sea will connect Scandinavia, Western Europe and the UK.

There are financial barriers which Imera faces as this is majorly a private concern and there is not much funding from the government. However, the company is optimistic that even with recession, infrastructure investment has not suffered and hence, this can be implemented without any hitch.

Imera uses a technology called HVDC VSC (voltage source converter), extruded polymer underground cables. The system comprises two (or more) converter stations at the ends of the transmission and an underground or submarine cable link between them.

Standardized designs with compact, factory assembled, pre-tested transportable modules allow for delivery times as short as 12 months. Converter stations are virtually maintenance free.

Can we think of a similar linked grid for coastal Asia? Why not? Is it not an advantage to link up and share natural resources? More energy can be harvested that way.