The challenges of offshore power system construction-bringing power successfully to Troll A, one of the worlds largest oil and gas platform

In February 2005 the world's first offshore HVDC transmission was successfully commissioned. It consists of two parallel 40 MW transmissions connecting the Troll A gas platform in the North Sea, with the mainland 132 kV grid via compact polymeric DC cables. A compact and lightweight offshore module was designed by ABB in collaboration with the client Statoil. The project has given ABB, valuable experience in the design and construction of high voltage plant in a salt laden, hostile environment. With safety as a primary consideration ABB has gained considerable experience in offshore construction techniques. The success of the ABB Troll project has been one of the key components for British Petroleum, who in June 2005 placed a second offshore HVDC Light order with ABB for their 78 MW transmission to the Valhall field. The engineering design and construction challenges overcome by ABB in these pioneering offshore projects is directly transferable to the new high power, high voltage, offshore substations required to enable, safe, reliable operation of the future very large offshore wind farms.