Hitachi Energy has received an order from Ørsted to provide the power electronics technology to integrate 2.4 GW of electricity from the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm into the UK grid.
The order, which is subject to the final investment decision, will see Hitachi Energy supply a grid-forming solution that employs its grid stabilisation technology, Enhanced STATCOM, to manage grid frequency variations and system voltage.
According to Hitachi, this is the first time the technology will be used in the offshore wind industry in Europe and makes a major milestone in the evolution of the conventional STATCOM installed at Hornsea 2.
The company’s SVC Light Enhanced uses power electronics to integrate the efficient reactive power compensation of SVC Light with supercapacitors, which are electronic devices that absorb and inject active power into the grid in milliseconds.
The use of supercapacitors to provide active power capability not only supports grid stability but also offers project owners the possibility of offering inertia or grid stability services to the grid, Hitachi added.
Located 69 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast, Hornsea 4 secured a 2.4 GW Contract for Difference (CfD) from the UK government in September 2024.
Last month, Ørsted awarded a contract to South Korea’s Hyosung Heavy Industries for the supply of ultra-high voltage power equipment for the project.
Under the contract, the company will deliver 400 kV high-voltage transformers and reactors.
In terms of other news coming from Hitachi Energy, the firm recently was awarded an order from ScottishPower Renewables to provide onshore and offshore grid connection and power quality solutions for the 960 MW East Anglia Two offshore wind farm.
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