OG90
Course Contents
Module 1: HVDC/VSC Offshore System Fundamentals
Key Topics
- Role of HVDC in offshore wind and long-distance transmission
- Comparative analysis: HVAC vs LCC-HVDC vs VSC-HVDC
- Offshore transmission architectures and key project drivers
- Point-to-point, multi-terminal and offshore hub concepts
- Power flow dynamics, voltage control and grid support functions
- Key technical terminology, electrical ratings and performance indicators
- Managing the HVDC project lifecycle from initial concept to operations
Module 2: VSC Converter Technology and Offshore Stations
Key Topics
- Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) operating principles
- Offshore and onshore converter station configurations
- Converter valves, transformers, smoothing reactors, filters and cooling systems
- AC switchgear, DC switchgear and station auxiliary power systems
- Platform layout planning: weight, space and marine structural design constraints
- Earthing design, insulation coordination and overvoltage control
- Reliability, redundancy metrics and long-term maintainability considerations
Module 3: Subsea Cables, Installation and Grid Connection
Key Topics
- HVDC submarine cable types, ratings and insulation systems (XLPE vs MI)
- Cable route studies, seabed bathymetry and infrastructure crossing risks
- Cable laying vessel operations, burial depth, protection and repair planning
- Landfall planning, transition joints and onshore cable interfaces
- Offshore AC collector systems and offshore wind farm connection topologies
- Grid-code requirements, compliance testing and simulation studies
- Environmental impacts, marine permitting and stakeholder considerations
Module 4: Control, Protection and System Studies
Key Topics
- Converter control modes for offshore and onshore terminals
- Active power, reactive power and DC voltage control loop dynamics
- Grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) control concepts
- Fault ride-through (FRT) capability and weak-grid performance challenges
- DC fault behaviour, detection methods and protection philosophies
- AC-side electrical protection, relay coordination and selectivity
- Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) studies, dynamic studies and model validation
Module 5: Testing, Commissioning, Operations and Asset Management
Key Topics
- Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and integration testing
- Control and protection hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing using simulation tools
- Sequential commissioning procedures and energisation planning
- Operational procedures, emergency alarms and performance monitoring metrics
- Preventive maintenance of converter valves, subsea cables and auxiliary cooling
- Cybersecurity, remote access protocols and operational technology (OT) risks
- Capstone case study: executing an offshore HVDC/VSC project readiness review