CONNECTED ENERGY
Thinking big : connecting countries A glance at IEEE Spectrum ’ s list of mega-grid projects shows we ’ ve never been lacking ambition when it comes to interconnectivity , although the fact that many date back a decade , if not longer , reflect the challenges of matching concepts with financial and logistical practicalities .
When it comes to analysing the biggest energy challenges , China is a logical place to start . The International Energy Agency estimates that China will need to spend more than $ 4 trillion from now until 2040 to overhaul the way it transmits and distributes electricity .
China is a front-runner in the development of high-capacity UHVDC transmission . Its domestic system comprises 35,000kms of HVDC transmission lines and 500 billion kWh of annual transmission by quantity ( Xu , 2016 ).
To deliver solar and wind resources from the north and hydropower from the south to cities in the southeast , China has installed the most extensive network of high-voltage AC and HVDC in the world . It ’ s now expanding its transmission grid with 13 to 20 new HVDC lines .
Four years ago , it signed an MoU for an Asian Super Grid , comprising State Grid , Korean utility KEPCO , Russia ’ s PJSC Rosetti and Softbank .
In Europe , Viking Link is a proposed offshore and onshore HVDC link between Great Britain and Denmark . The 770km long transmission line is expected to enable the effective use of renewable energy and increase the security of the energy supply for both countries . The project , originally targeting operations next year , is now aiming to launch at the end of 2023 . energydigital . com 43