The Moyle Interconnector has a capacity of 500MW and is of dual monopole configuration. Each pole consists of a coaxial 250kV DC cable with integrated return conductors (IRC), each cable having a transmission capacity of 250MW. The LV return conductor elements of the IRCs have suffered failures (see below), and their function was restored by laying new separate metallic return conductors (MRCs) in 2016.[1] The converter stations were designed and constructed by Siemens, and were the first to feature Siemens light-triggered thyristors.[2]
Moyle is a Line Commutated Converter (LCC) design; as a result, it cannot offer Black Start capability, unlike Voltage Sourced Converters. However LCC technology offers lower losses and hence more efficient power transfer.
The cable system was manufactured by Nexans in Halden, Norway, who also carried out installation.
The converter station at Auchencrosh is connected via a 64 km (40-mile) single-circuit 275kV overhead three-phase AC line, which is installed on delta-type towers, to Coylton substation. The connection to Northern Ireland is then made through dual 63.5 km (39.5-mile) long monopolar cables, of which 55 km (34 miles) are submarine cables. The Ballycronan More converter station is connected into the Northern Ireland grid through two 275kV overhead line circuits.
Operating historyedit
In August 2011, the interconnector went out of service.[3] Repairs were made[4] and the cable became operational again with 450MW in February 2012.[5]
However, further faults meant that a major part of the interconnector had to be taken out of service until it could be augmented with the addition of new LV return cables, completed in 2016. This restored capacity to the full 500MW.[6] This was carried out by Nexans (Norway) with the aid of Morrows (NI) and Romac Civil Engineering (NI). The new LV cables replaced the LV elements of the original co-axial cables on the subsea sections of cable. The original cables remain as installed for the land sections, with the HV elements remaining in service for the subsea sections. The new cables are joined into the original cables at transition joints on each coast.
In February 2017, one HV cable suffered a further fault, halving capacity to 250MW.[7] However full capacity was restored in September 2017, following repairs by Nexans.
A major refurbishment of the control and protection systems was undertaken in 2022; this was delivered pole by pole, allowing 250MW capacity to be maintained for most of the project. The new controls support enhanced ancillary services as well as more resilient operation in low fault level conditions.
Mutual Energyedit
Mutual Energy is a mutual company which manages the Moyle Interconnector (and some high pressure gas transmission assets including the Scotland-Northern Ireland Pipeline) for the benefit of Northern Ireland's energy consumers.
Economic aspectsedit
Exports to Scotland had historically been limited to 80MW due to National Grid UK transmission constraints. With the increase in renewable energy on the Northern Irish and Irish grids, Mutual Energy worked with National Grid to increase export capacity. Two-day ahead projections of wind in Scotland were used to allow flows of up to 300MW. The 80MW constraint was reduced in stages, with firm export capacity being increased to 250MW, and then finally to 500 MW in 2021.
Moyle also provides frequency support services to both System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and National Grid. These services provide for fast change of power flow in the event of a network disturbance on either the NI or Scotland transmission systems.
. Mutual Energy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
(PDF). Siemens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008.
Tech-wise Services. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2005.
. System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI). Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
. Mutual Energy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
January 01, 1970
moyle, interconnector, megawatt, hvdc, link, between, scotland, northern, ireland, running, between, auchencrosh, ayrshire, ballycronan, more, county, antrim, went, into, service, 2001, owned, operated, mutual, energy, aerial, view, islandmagee, showing, bally. The Moyle Interconnector is a 500 megawatt MW HVDC link between Scotland and Northern Ireland running between Auchencrosh in Ayrshire and Ballycronan More in County Antrim It went into service in 2001 and is owned and operated by Mutual Energy Moyle InterconnectorAerial view of Islandmagee showing Ballylumford power station and the nearby Ballycronan More convertor stationMap of Moyle InterconnectorLocationCountryUnited Kingdom Scotland amp N Ireland FromAuchencrosh South AyrshireToBallycronan More County AntrimOwnership informationOwnerMutual EnergyConstruction informationCommissioned2001Technical informationTypeSubmarine cableType of currentHVDCTotal length63 5 km 39 5 mi Power rating500 MWDC voltage250 kVNo of poles2 Contents 1 Specifications 2 Operating history 3 Mutual Energy 4 Economic aspects 5 Sites 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksSpecifications editThe Moyle Interconnector has a capacity of 500 MW and is of dual monopole configuration Each pole consists of a coaxial 250 kV DC cable with integrated return conductors IRC each cable having a transmission capacity of 250 MW The LV return conductor elements of the IRCs have suffered failures see below and their function was restored by laying new separate metallic return conductors MRCs in 2016 1 The converter stations were designed and constructed by Siemens and were the first to feature Siemens light triggered thyristors 2 Moyle is a Line Commutated Converter LCC design as a result it cannot offer Black Start capability unlike Voltage Sourced Converters However LCC technology offers lower losses and hence more efficient power transfer The cable system was manufactured by Nexans in Halden Norway who also carried out installation The converter station at Auchencrosh is connected via a 64 km 40 mile single circuit 275 kV overhead three phase AC line which is installed on delta type towers to Coylton substation The connection to Northern Ireland is then made through dual 63 5 km 39 5 mile long monopolar cables of which 55 km 34 miles are submarine cables The Ballycronan More converter station is connected into the Northern Ireland grid through two 275 kV overhead line circuits Operating history editIn August 2011 the interconnector went out of service 3 Repairs were made 4 and the cable became operational again with 450 MW in February 2012 5 However further faults meant that a major part of the interconnector had to be taken out of service until it could be augmented with the addition of new LV return cables completed in 2016 This restored capacity to the full 500 MW 6 This was carried out by Nexans Norway with the aid of Morrows NI and Romac Civil Engineering NI The new LV cables replaced the LV elements of the original co axial cables on the subsea sections of cable The original cables remain as installed for the land sections with the HV elements remaining in service for the subsea sections The new cables are joined into the original cables at transition joints on each coast In February 2017 one HV cable suffered a further fault halving capacity to 250 MW 7 However full capacity was restored in September 2017 following repairs by Nexans A major refurbishment of the control and protection systems was undertaken in 2022 this was delivered pole by pole allowing 250 MW capacity to be maintained for most of the project The new controls support enhanced ancillary services as well as more resilient operation in low fault level conditions Mutual Energy editMutual Energy is a mutual company which manages the Moyle Interconnector and some high pressure gas transmission assets including the Scotland Northern Ireland Pipeline for the benefit of Northern Ireland s energy consumers Economic aspects editExports to Scotland had historically been limited to 80 MW due to National Grid UK transmission constraints With the increase in renewable energy on the Northern Irish and Irish grids Mutual Energy worked with National Grid to increase export capacity Two day ahead projections of wind in Scotland were used to allow flows of up to 300 MW The 80 MW constraint was reduced in stages with firm export capacity being increased to 250MW and then finally to 500 MW in 2021 Moyle also provides frequency support services to both System Operator for Northern Ireland SONI and National Grid These services provide for fast change of power flow in the event of a network disturbance on either the NI or Scotland transmission systems Sites editSite Coordinates Coylton substation 55 26 49 N 4 25 52 W 55 44694 N 4 43111 W 55 44694 4 43111 Coylton substation Auchencrosh converter station 55 4 10 N 4 58 50 W 55 06944 N 4 98056 W 55 06944 4 98056 Auchencrosh converter station Cable enters sea 55 3 30 N 5 2 41 W 55 05833 N 5 04472 W 55 05833 5 04472 Cable enters sea Cable leaves sea 54 50 44 N 5 43 20 W 54 84556 N 5 72222 W 54 84556 5 72222 Cable leaves sea Ballycronan More converter station 54 50 34 N 5 46 11 W 54 84278 N 5 76972 W 54 84278 5 76972 Ballycronan More converter station See also edit nbsp the United Kingdom portal nbsp Energy portal East West Interconnector Scotland Norway interconnector BritNed GreenlinkReferences edit Moyle Interconnector 4C Offshore 4offshore com HVDC High Voltage Direct Current Power Transmission PDF Siemens p 22 Archived from the original PDF on 27 August 2013 Retrieved 27 August 2013 Moyle Interconnector fault Press release Mutual Energy 26 August 2011 Archived from the original on 19 December 2011 Update on Moyle cable faults repair Press release Mutual Energy 18 October 2011 Archived from the original on 17 November 2011 Update on Moyle repair progress Press release Mutual Energy 20 February 2012 Archived from the original on 5 March 2012 Decision on long term repair of Moyle Interconnector cables Mutual Energy 13 May 2013 Archived from the original on 8 August 2013 Retrieved 20 November 2013 Fault detected with Moyle interconnector 4c Offshore 21 February 2017 Retrieved 23 February 2017 External links edit The Moyle Interconnector Interconnector Physical Flows real time data Mutual Energy Archived from the original on 25 November 2011 Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates The Moyle Interconnector Mutual Energy Archived from the original on 17 November 2011 High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Proven Technology for Power Exchange PDF Siemens Archived from the original PDF on 30 October 2008 Tech wise Services Moyle Interconnector PDF Archived from the original PDF on 18 February 2005 Map of Moyle Interconnector System Operator for Northern Ireland SONI Archived from the original on 15 April 2012 History and Development of the Moyle Interconnector Mutual Energy Archived from the original on 17 November 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Moyle Interconnector amp oldid 1170724932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
