Previous work on offshore, multi-terminal, high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) networks suggests that they should be both feasible and beneficial. However, questions remain over their interaction with the onshore system. The prevailing consensus is that offshore HVDC grids are most likely to develop in an incremental fashion, in conjunction with conventional point to point interconnection, and with the development of offshore renewable assets.
Research has been undertaken to develop reduced scale dynamic models of the GB electricity system to allow for – amongst other things – investigation of the impact of connecting an increasing number of HVDC grid connections.
In parallel, research is ongoing to develop a European-scale market model which will investigate what an ‘optimum’ level of interconnection between GB and the rest of Europe should be, from the perspective of a number of different stakeholders. This follows a comprehensive review of the technology and market issues relating to interconnectors.