# DOE Announces $11M in High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Projects **URL:** \ **Category:** Macro Economic Trends and Risks\ **Created:** [November 12, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251 "2024-11-12T23:18:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jaagu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/jaagu/32/6160_2.png) [@jaagu](https://discussion.fool.com/u/jaagu)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/1 "2024-11-12T23:18:43Z")
**WASHINGTON, DC** – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) today announced selections for four groundbreaking high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission research and development projects that will help affordably integrate more renewable energy generation onto the grid via HVDC lines. The approximately $11 million program, called the Innovative DEsigns for high-performAnce Low-cost HVDC Converters (IDEAL HVDC) will also reduce transmission system costs by 35 percent by 2035, and promote widespread technology adoption. OE is providing $8.1 million in funding and $3 million is coming from EERE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office. The IDEAL projects are primed to help reinvent our power grid, which serves as an interstate highway for high-voltage electricity. HVDC transmission systems are more efficient than traditional alternating current (AC) transmission systems to deliver electricity at a lower cost while minimizing power losses. In addition, many renewable generation resources are in remote locations on land or planned far from shore (e.g. offshore wind), and HVDC transmission provides a cost-effective solution for renewable integration onto the grid. And high-voltage transmission can more capably transfer power between different regions of the country without disrupting the frequency of either system, also helping to reduce delivery costs. “This represents another step forward in our mission to modernize the nation’s electric grid," said Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity. "By investing $11 million in innovative HVDC transmission projects, we’re accelerating adoption of an innovative technology that can create pathways to integrate more low- cost renewable energy onto the power grid. This ensures that reliable, resilient, secure and affordable clean energy is available and accessible to all Americans.” Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, agreed. He said, “A modern grid requires a transmission network that can offer access to a diverse range of clean energy resources across geographic regions. These investments will help our efforts to improve energy reliability for consumers by better integrating both land and offshore power sources like wind onto the grid.” **Selected IDEAL HVDC Projects:** - **GE Vernova Advanced Research:** $3.3 million to develop a low-cost HVDC transmission access point substation to reduce HVDC life cycle costs by \>30%. TAPS aims to provide access to affordable renewable energy to underserved and underrepresented communities. - **Sandia National Laboratories:** $1.8 million to increase the power density and reduce cost of HVDC converter stations by 10% by developing a technology of smaller 1.7 kilovolt (kV) switches that can be operated as a single 10 kV switch in a converter. - **University of Pittsburgh:** $3 million to use artificial intelligence to optimize an HVDC converter design for increased power density and decreased cost. - **Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University:** $3 million to investigate promising circuit technologies to upgrade the existing HVDC converter design. This approach aims to reduce direct material technology costs by 15-20%. These selections are the first actions taken to support [DOE’s HVDC COst REduction (CORE) Initiative](https://www.energy.gov/oe/Core-Initiative), to improve grid resilience, security, and operation flexibility. ---
**Author:** ![captainccs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/captainccs/32/3775_2.png) [@captainccs](https://discussion.fool.com/u/captainccs)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 8:29am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/2 "2024-11-13T08:29:23Z")
High voltage DC transmission requires superconductors (no or very low resistance conductors). Science and industry have been working for decades to create “high temperature” superconductors. By high temperature they mean near room temperature. Up to now they have been cooled by liquid nitrogen. American Superconductor (AMSC) has been working on it for decades and most projects, except smaller ones, have so for, failed. > **[American Superconductor (AMSC)](https://www.amsc.com)** > > AMSC (NASDAQ: AMSC) generates the ideas, technologies and solutions that meet the world's demand for smarter, cleaner, better energy. The company's solutions are now powering gigawatts of renewable energy globally and enhancing the performance and... ## Tres Amigas Transmission Superstation Flop > **[Tres Amigas SuperStation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tres_Amigas_SuperStation)** > > The Tres Amigas SuperStation (lit. 'Three Friends SuperStation') was a project proposed in 2009 to unite North America’s two major power grids (the Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection) and one of its three minor grids (the Texas Interconnection), with the goals of enabling faster adoption of renewable energy and increasing the reliability of the U.S. grid. > In 2015, the project lost access to the Eastern Interconnection (72% of its total peak demand) when Southwestern Public... > **[Tres Amigas - AltEnergy Acquisition Corp](https://altenergyacquisition.com/project/tres-amigas/)** > > \[et\_pb\_section fb\_built=”1″ \_builder\_version=”3.22″ global\_colors\_info=”{}”\]\[et\_pb\_row \_builder\_version=”3.25″ background\_size=”initial” background\_position=”top\_left” background\_repeat=”repeat” global\_colors\_info=”{}”\]\[et\_pb\_column type=”4\_4″... > **[HVDC2013-McCall.pdf](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/05/f0/HVDC2013-McCall.pdf)** > > 3.61 MB Maybe this time it will work. The Captain lost money on AMSC ---
**Author:** ![Leap1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/leap1/32/72176_2.png) [@Leap1](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Leap1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/3 "2024-11-13T12:20:31Z")
> [@captainccs](#): > > High voltage DC transmission requires superconductors (no or very low resistance conductors). It does not require them. It would be beneficial to have super conductors for this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![AdrianC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/adrianc/32/4898_2.png) [@AdrianC](https://discussion.fool.com/u/AdrianC)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/4 "2024-11-13T13:07:22Z")
I worked on this one as in intern in the late 80s. > **[HVDC Cross-Channel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVDC_Cross-Channel)** > > The HVDC Cross-Channel (French: Interconnexion France Angleterre IFA 2000) is the 73-kilometre-long (45 mi) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector that has operated since 1986 under the English Channel between the continental European grid at Bonningues-lès-Calais and the British electricity grid at Sellindge. The cable is also known as IFA, and should not be confused with the new IFA-2, another interconnect with France that is three times as long but only half as powerful. > The curren... ---
**Author:** ![jaagu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/jaagu/32/6160_2.png) [@jaagu](https://discussion.fool.com/u/jaagu)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/5 "2024-11-13T22:29:39Z")
> [@captainccs](#): > > High voltage DC transmission requires superconductors (no or very low resistance conductors). Science and industry have been working for decades to create “high temperature” superconductors. By high temperature they mean near room temperature. Up to now they have been cooled by liquid nitrogen. American Superconductor (AMSC) has been working on it for decades and most projects, except smaller ones, have so for, failed. **You are discussing the WRONG Subject!** High Voltage DC transmission already exists in US and many other countries. > **[North America & Europe: HVDC capacity by country | Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1360864/high-voltage-direct-current-hvdc-capacity-europe-north-america/)** > > In 2021, the leading countries worldwide for high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system installations were the United States and Canada, in North America, and Germany, in Europe. > **[What can we expect next for HVDC?](https://www.dnv.com/article/2023-was-a-pivotal-year-for-HVDC/)** > > New commissioned capacity and technology leaps. Gigantic contract and framework agreement awards. Supply chain investments. The U.S. is back in HVDC town. Rise of hybrid projects. Last year was nothing short of transformational for HVDC technology and will shape the industry for the next decade. We saw unprecedented levels of investments and contract awards, creating a firm project pipeline and enabling the industry to make the required investments in the supply chain to increase much-needed production capacity. Even though most activity took place in Europe [1], 2023 was also the year in which the U.S. got serious about its HVDC renaissance, with major government support packages awarded and several HVDC projects breaking ground. Providing a glimpse into the future, several hybrid or multi-purpose infrastructure projects were announced, combining both offshore wind export and interconnection functionality, requiring multi-terminal HVDC technology. A few European grid operators also presented long term strategic grid plans including key roles for multi-terminal HVDC overlay grids as the bulk electrical energy carrier of choice. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/original/3X/c/1/c11f42eb78da752b7e28ac8ece819d24d21e6c73.png) Five new HVDC projects reached completion and were commissioned, bringing another 5.6 GW of combined HVDC transmission capacity online–significant but modest increase, given the scale at which transmission capacity needs to be build out. It included the 1400 MW 765 km Viking Link the world’s longest interconnector. A few technology leaps were made, such as the commissioning of [Dogger Bank A](https://doggerbank.com/construction/worlds-first-unmanned-hvdc-offshore-platform-installed-at-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm/), the first application of lean and unmanned offshore HVDC station concepts as well as the first to use a 66 kV direct connection, driving down costs of offshore HVDC further. It also included the first application of Controllable Line-Commutated Converter (CLCC) technology to a HVDC transmission link in China, realizing a reliable recovery process and controllable commutation through combining fully controllable IGBT devices and semi-controllable thyristors. The resulting converter is immune to commutation failure yet benefits from the cost effective and robust characteristics of thyristor based converter technology[2]. After pioneering many aspects of HVDC technology, the U.S. experienced a slowdown in new-built HVDC transmission capacity in recent decades, often due to regulatory, permitting and policy hurdles as well as financing challenges. Many system operators and regulatory bodies are seen as taking a conservative approach towards HVDC technology and fail to consider the capabilities, characteristics, and maturity of today’s state-of-the-art. But 2023 saw a hive of activity, including [calls](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-conference-merchant-interregional-hvdc-invenergy/644548/) for FERC to hold a technical conference on HVDC capabilities, HVDC workshops at [MISO](https://www.rtoinsider.com/32320-experts-urge-miso-consider-765kv-hvdc-lines/) and [ERCOT](https://www.ercot.com/calendar/06262023-EHV-and-HVDC-Workshop), and the publication of an industry-sponsored [report](https://www.brattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Operational-and-Market-Benefits-of-HVDC-to-System-Operators-Full-Report.pdf) on the operational benefits of HVDC technology, and the award of [two HVDC projects](https://www.lspower.com/ls-power-selected-by-the-california-iso-for-san-jose-area-hvdc-projects/) in CAISO under a FERC 1000 competitive transmission solicitation process. Most notably, several concrete steps towards realization of, in some cases, decade-old HVDC plans were made. First of all, a large number of HVDC transmission projects such as the [Transwest Express](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/blm-transwest-express-transmission/647429/) (TWE), [Grain Belt Express](https://grainbeltexpress.com/invenergys-grain-belt-express-transmission-line-secures-last-of-its-state-approvals/), [SOO Green](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/soo-green-transmission-miso-pjm-interregional-big-wires-act-hickenlooper/693916/), the [NECEC](https://www.necleanenergyconnect.org/project-updates-1/2023/8/14/press-release-avangrids-necec-project-may-lawfully-proceed) project received critical permitting and regulatory approvals, clearing the way for construction to start (or resume in the case of NECEC). Several projects such as [TWE](https://www.transwestexpress.net/news/alerts/2023/062023-groundbreaking-in-wyoming.html), Champlain Hudson Power Express ([CHPE](https://chpexpress.com/news/press-release-champlain-hudson-power-express-celebrates-start-of-construction-on-converter-station-announces-first-funding-recipients-for-green-jobs-training-fund/)), and the Sunrise offshore wind farm connection did not waste time and broke ground last year. As a reminder of some of the hurdles that HVDC projects continue to face, [Pecos West](https://www.rtoinsider.com/31670-texas-puc-rejects-ccn-grid-united-pecos-west/) was denied a certificate of convenience and necessity, shining light on the continuing barrier of the right of first refusal rules to competitive HVC transmission building. From a financing perspective, recognizing a chicken-and-egg situation in capacity offtake agreements between renewable generators and transmission developers, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded its first ever anchor tenant contracts, including [Twin States Clean Energy Link](https://www.twinstatescleanenergylink.com/news/twin-states-clean-energy-link-selected-for-federal-investment), aimed at enabling transmission developers to get the financing to start construction[3]. Minnesota Power received a 50 million USD DOE grant to [upgrade the Square Butte](https://www.tdworld.com/digital-innovations/hvdc/article/21276075/minnesota-power-secures-50-million-from-us-doe-to-modernize-hvdc-transmission-system) HVDC line. Separately, for its Sunzia project, Pattern Energy [closed](https://patternenergy.com/pattern-energy-closes-11-billion-financing-of-largest-clean-energy-infrastructure-project-in-u-s-history/) the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history for $11 billion financing. EnergyRe announced its capital raise of $1.2 billion to support its HVDC developments such as [CPNY](https://www.cleanpathny.com/news/2023-10-30/clean-path-ny-announces-agreement-prysmian-group-state-art-transmission-cable), SOO Green, and Leading Light offshore wind farm, including a stake by WindGrid which is subsidiary of the Elia group which also owns the Belgian and German grid operators Elia TSO and 50Hertz, respectively, and brings in significant HVDC expertise. Read more details in the link. Jaak ---
**Author:** ![captainccs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/captainccs/32/3775_2.png) [@captainccs](https://discussion.fool.com/u/captainccs)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 8:27am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/doe-announces-11m-in-high-voltage-direct-current-transmission-projects/110251/6 "2024-11-14T08:27:57Z")
> [@jaagu](#): > > **You are discussing the WRONG Subject!** > > High Voltage DC transmission already exists in US and many other countries. Thanks for the Statista article. It discusses the commercial adoption of electric transmission. Adoption depends highly on the practical viability of the technology. The AC/DC dichotomy goes back to Edison (DC) vs.Tesla (AC). I’m much more interested in the technology side since I have no interest in investing in electric utilities. When I bought my boat I had to learn about DC to prepare her for the intended circumnavigation that never happened. I asked Google for “hvdc technology” which brought up a most interesting Wikipedia article. Points of interest: - Europe ahead of USA mostly caused by American permitting red tape - Technology tested for over a century - Solid state electronics enabling technology - Comparison vs. AC Regarding high temperature superconductors, a great many technical difficulties would disappear if conductors had less resistance. > **[High-voltage direct current | Comparison with AC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current#Comparison_with_AC)** > > A long-distance, point-to-point HVDC transmission scheme generally has lower overall investment cost and lower losses than an equivalent AC transmission scheme. Although HVDC conversion equipment at the terminal stations is costly, the total DC transmission-line costs over long distances are lower than for an AC line of the same distance. HVDC requires less conductor per unit distance than an AC line, as there is no need to support three phases and there is no skin effect. AC systems use a higher... The Captain