Belgium’s transmission driver, Elia, has actually provided its draft prepare for what is anticipated to be the globe’s initial synthetic power island.
The power island, called the Princess Elisabeth Island, will certainly lie practically 45 kilometres off the Belgian shore and also will certainly work as the web link in between the overseas wind ranches in the 2nd overseas wind area (which will certainly have an optimum ability of 3.5 GW) and also its onshore high-voltage grid.
Elia, which provided the strategies i n the existence of government preachers Tinne Van der Straeten (Energy) and also Vincent Van Quickenborne (North Sea), stated t he power island will certainly additionally be the initial foundation of a European offshore electrical power grid that will certainly work as a main center for brand-new interconnectors with the UK and alsoDenmark
“The island is an innovative tour de force that once again puts Belgium on the map as a pioneer in offshore energy. Belgium’s Maritime Spatial Plan (2020-2026) provides for the development of a new wind power production zone in the Belgian part of the North Sea: the Princess Elisabeth zone,” Elia stated.
In line with the Belgian Electricity Act, Elia is accountable for expanding the transmission grid based upon strategies that have to be authorized by proper preachers.The draft prepares for the initial power island are currently all set and also the tender procedure is being prepared, Elia stated.
A globe initially!
Credit: EliaAccording to Elia, the Princess Elisabeth Island, in the Belgian area of the North Sea, will certainly be the globe’s initial synthetic power island.
It will certainly integrate both straight existing (HVDC) and also rotating existing (COOLING AND HEATING). The island’s high-voltage framework will certainly pack the wind ranch export cable televisions from the Princess Elisabeth area with each other, while additionally working as a center for future interconnectors with the UK (Nautilus) and/or Denmark (TritonLink).
These will certainly be hybrid interconnectors that have a double feature and also will certainly be extra reliable. They will certainly make sure the exchange of electrical power in between nations and also will certainly additionally be linked to big overseas wind ranches in the North Sea that will certainly offer our nation with huge quantities of renewable resource, Elia stated.
The power island will certainly lie practically 45 kilometres off the shore and also will certainly inhabit a location of roughly 5 hectares over the waterline.
The synthetic island will certainly be created in the Princess Elisabeth wind area and also will certainly be created from concrete caissons full of sand. The island will mostly house transmission framework that will certainly be connected to brand-new wind ranches and also will certainly create component of links to
future interconnectors.
A little harbour and also helicopter pad are additionally as a result of be constructed for upkeep groups. In order to attach all future overseas setups to the Belgian high-voltage grid, 300 kilometres of rotating existing cable televisions and also 60 kilometres of straight existing cable televisions will certainly be required. The power island will depend on assistance from Belgium’s post-COVID-19 recuperation strategy, which Belgium asked the European Commission to accept, implying it is because of get an aid of around EUR100 million.
Timeline
Credit: EliaThe tender procedure for the island is being prepared, as is the advancement of the ecological influence analysis, the prep work of the allowing treatment and also the application for a giving in of public area. The building and construction of the island is because of begin in 2024 and also the island ought to be finished in mid-2026
From after that on, the building and construction of the electric framework on the power island will certainly begin. The building and construction of future wind ranches is being arranged by the federal government of Belgium via a collection of tenders.
The link of the wind ranches to the Elia grid is connected to the appointing of 2 onshore grid support jobs: the Ventilus and also Boucle duHainaut Elia intends to accomplish complete link ability by 2030.
“The Princess Elisabeth Island constitutes a big leap forward for the energy transition. In addition to bringing 3.5 GW of additional offshore wind energy to shore, the island will also be the first link in a European offshore electricity grid. It will allow us to access the huge
offshore wind potential that the North Sea still has to offer us,” stated Chris Peeters, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Elia Group.
“By quadrupling offshore wind capacity by 2040, we will reinforce our energy independence, reduce our energy bills and reduce our CO2 emissions,” stated Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy of Belgium.
Vincent Van Quickenborne, Minister for the North Sea: “The North Sea is becoming the powerhouse behind our energy independence. However, recently, following the acts of sabotage inflicted on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, it has become more crucial than ever for us to protect such critical infrastructure from sabotage and attacks.
“We will certainly safeguard both the cable televisions which transfer electrical power to the landmass and also the power island versus these type of occasions. We just recently passed a legislation that considerably reinforces such steps. We are currently offering using video clip security mixed-up, drones, the monitoring of international watercrafts in our waters and also having skilled solutions perform routine safety and security evaluations.”
