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HVDC Cross-Channel

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Cross-Channel
Interconnexion France Angleterre
Location
CountryFrance, United Kingdom
General directionsouth-north
FromBonningues-lès-Calais, France
Passes throughEnglish Channel
ToSellindge, United Kingdom
Ownership information
PartnersNational Grid plc, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
Construction information
Manufacturer of conductor/cableAlstom
Manufacturer of substationsAlstom
Construction started1985
Commissioned1986
Technical information
Typesubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length73 km (45 mi)
Power rating2,000 MW
AC voltage400 kV
DC voltage±270 kV
No. of poles4

The HVDC Cross-Channel (French: Interconnexion France Angleterre) is the high voltage direct current (HVDC) connection that operates under the English Channel between the continental European and British electricity grids. The link is bi-directional and France and Britian can import/export depending upon individual needs.

1961 cable

The first HVDC Cross-Channel went into service in 1961 between static inverter plants at Lydd in England and Echinghen, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France. This scheme was equipped with mercury vapour rectifiers. In order to keep the disturbances of the magnetic compasses of passing ships as small as possible, a bipolar cable was used. The cable had a length of 64 kilometres (40 mi) and was operated symmetrically at a voltage of ±100 kV and a maximum current of 800 amperes. The maximum transmission power of this cable was 160 megawatts (MW). The cable was built by ABB Group.[citation needed] Given that the cable was laid on the surface of the seabed it was prone to being fouled by fishing nets, causing damage. Whilst repairs were undertaken there was considerable down time on the circuit resulting in a loss of trading. Indeed by 1984 the circuit was disconnected from the Main Transmission System.

1986 cable

Because the first installation did not meet increasing requirements, it was replaced in 1975–1986 by a new HVDC line with a maximum transmission rate of 2,000 MW between France and Great Britain, for which two new static inverter plants were built in Sellindge (UK) and in Bonningues-lès-Calais (Les Mandarins station), near Calais, (France). The cable and substations were built by Areva.[1] This HVDC-link is 73 kilometres (45 mi) long in route, with 70 kilometres (43 mi) between the two ends. The undersea section consists of eight 46 kilometres (29 mi) long 270 kV submarine cables, laid between Folkestone (UK) and Sangatte (France), arranged as two independent bipoles. The landside parts of the link consist of 8 cables with lengths of 18.5 kilometres (11.5 mi) in England, and 6.35 kilometres (3.95 mi) in France.[citation needed]

Significance

Since the commissioning in the 1980's of this DC link the bulk of the power flows have been from France to Britain. Indeed there have been situations where France has needed to import from Britain, during the Summer time to meet its own National demand, when there has been low availability on its Nucler plant, and insufficient head of water on some of its major hydro schemes.

As of 2005 imports of electricity from France have historically accounted for about 5% of electricity available in the UK. Imports through the interconnector have generally been around the highest possible level, given the capacity of the link. In 2006, 97.5% of the energy transfers have been made from France to UK, supplying the equivalent of 3 million English homes. The link availability is around 98%, which is among the best rates in the world. The continued size and duration of this flow is open to some doubt, given the growth in demand in continental Europe for clean electricity, and increasing electricity demand within France.[2]

Sites

Site Coordinates
Echingen Static Inverter Plant (out of service) 50°41′48″N 1°38′21″E / 50.69667°N 1.63917°E / 50.69667; 1.63917 (Cross-Channel ( old) - Echingen Static Inverter Plant)
Lydd Static Inverter Plant (out of service) 50°54′54″N 0°56′50″E / 50.91500°N 0.94722°E / 50.91500; 0.94722 (Cross-Channel ( old) - Lydd Static Inverter Plant)
Les Mandarins Static Inverter Plant 50°54′11″N 1°47′5″E / 50.90306°N 1.78472°E / 50.90306; 1.78472 (Cross-Channel ( new) - Les Mandarins Static Inverter Plant)
Sellindge Static Inverter Plant 51°6′21″N 0°58′32″E / 51.10583°N 0.97556°E / 51.10583; 0.97556 (Cross-Channel ( new) - Sellindge Static Inverter Plant)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Anglo – French HVDC Link" (PDF). Areva. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  2. ^ http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file11257.pdf/
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