Hitachi Energy – Ørsted and Hitachi Energy extend framework agreement for offshore wind farms

September 6, 2023
Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy and Ørsted extend their long-standing collaboration for offshore wind farms for three more years by extending a framework agreement to support Ørsted’s global offshore wind farms. 

 

Ørsted’s portfolio includes the 1.5GW Skåne Offshore Wind Farm in Sweden, subject to award to Ørsted. The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration and reflects Ørsted’s and Hitachi Energy’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Sweden, at scale and with speed.

At a visit to Hitachi Energy’s factory in Ludvika in Sweden, Ørsted’s country head of Sweden, Sebastian Hald Buhl, and Hitachi Energy’s Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Johan Söderström, along with Country Managing Director, Tobias Hansson, announced that the existing framework agreement between the companies is being extended for three years to continue supplying parts to Ørsted’s global portfolio of offshore wind projects, including Skåne Offshore Wind Farm, subject to agreement. 

This extension of the framework agreement builds on Ørsted’s close relationship with Hitachi Energy as a global technology leader and the key partner to the offshore wind industry. For a decade now, Hitachi Energy has supplied several orders from Ørsted, including a substantial contract for the entire transmission system for Hornsea 3 in the UK, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. 

The Skåne Offshore Wind Farm will be developed 22-kilometers (km) south of Ystad and Trelleborg in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The wind farm’s installed capacity will be 1.5 GW, with an annual production of 7-terrawatt hours (TWh). The electricity will be able to cover half of Skåne’s demand.

Ørsted has the industry’s deepest ties with the offshore wind supply chain, which today’s announcement reflects. Hitachi Energy in Ludvika has some of the world’s leading capabilities with equipment for offshore wind, and I’m pleased that we once again collaborate closely with the Swedish supply chain, where we’ve already invested more than SEK 20 billion. Ørsted is developing the 1.5GW Skåne Offshore Wind Farm, and pending the government’s final approval of the project, we expect to deliver investments of minimum 25 billion SEK to realise that project.

Sebastian Hald Buhl, Ørsted’s country manager for Sweden

 

Hitachi Energy delivered transmission equipment to Ørsted’s Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 offshore wind farms in the UK. Both broke the world record as the largest offshore wind farm. Ørsted is developing the world’s single largest offshore wind farm Hornsea 3 (2,800 MW), where Hitachi Energy is supplying from Ludvika among other locations in Europe and globally.

We are honored to have the strong vote of confidence from Ørsted and look forward to deepening our collaboration even further. Ørsted, as a leader in the build-out of offshore wind, is a long-standing partner of Hitachi Energy. The extension of the frame agreement shows our commitment to keep accelerating the Swedish and European energy transition.

Johan Söderström, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Energy based in Sweden

 

As previously announced, we plan to employ more than 2000 new employees during the next 2 years in Sweden and this agreement supports our expansion plans.

Tobias Hansson, Country Managing Director, Hitachi Energy

 

The long-term collaboration between Ørsted and Hitachi Energy also encompasses the provision of Hitachi Energy’s offerings like transformers, high-voltage switchgear, and power quality systems, along with digital innovations including energy market management and automation and communication systems. 

 

From left: Per Leth Hansen, Global Account Manager for Ørsted at Hitachi Energy, Johan Söderström, Executive Vice President and Head of Regions, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Energy, Sebastian Hald Buhl, Ørsted’s country manager for Sweden, Tobias Hansson, Country Managing Director at Hitachi Energy in Sweden and Sepideh Chekad, Project Manager for the Power Transformer delivery of Hornsea 3

SourceHitachi Energy

EMR Analysis

More information on Hitachi Energy: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Claudio Facchin (Chief Executive Officer, Hitachi Energy): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Johan Söderström (Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hitachi Energy): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Tobias Hansson (Country Managing Director, Hitachi Energy Sweden AB, Hitachi Energy): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Per Leth Hansen (Global Account Manager for Ørsted, Hitachi Energy): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Sepideh Chekad (Project Manager for the Power Transformer delivery of Hornsea 3, Hitachi Energy): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Ørsted: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Mads Nipper (Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ørsted): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Sebastian Hald Buhl (Country Manager Sweden & Norway, Ørsted): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on the Skåne Offshore Wind Park: https://orsted.se/vara-grona-losningar/havsbaserad-vindkraft/vara-projekt/skane-havsvindspark + Skåne Offshore Wind Park is planned approximately 22 kilometers south of Skåne and can produce enough renewable electricity to cover half of Skåne’s current electricity needs. Thus, the wind farm can play a central role in the region’s electricity supply. The County Administrative Board in Skåne granted the energy company Ørsted in the spring of 2023 a permit for the construction and operation of the Skåne Offshore Wind Farm in connection with a Natura 2000 area south of Skåne. The County Administrative Board has previously, during the end of 2022, recommended the government to give Ørsted permission to build the wind farm.

More information on the Ørsted Hornsea 1 Offshore Wind Farm: https://orsted.co.uk/energy-solutions/offshore-wind/our-wind-farms/hornsea1 + 

Powering over 1 million homes with green electricity

Hornsea 1, located in the North Sea, generates enough green energy to power over 1 million UK homes. The wind farm comprises 174 turbines and covers an area of 407 square kilometres (157.2 square miles), which is over five times the size of the city of Hull.

  • 1.2GW The combined total capacity of the project
  • 174 7MW wind turbines
  • 900km Cable route

Located 120 km (74.6 miles) off the Yorkshire coast in the North Sea, Hornsea 1 is our 12th operational wind farm in the UK. It was the world’s first offshore wind farm to exceed 1 GW in capacity and produces enough green energy to power well over one million homes. 

Hornsea 1 became fully operational in 2019 and is operated and maintained from our East Coast Hub in Grimsby which supports a workforce of more than 370 people. 

The offshore wind farm is owned by Ørsted (50%) and Global Infrastructure Partners (50%).

More information on the Ørsted Hornsea 2 Offshore Wind Farm: https://hornseaprojects.co.uk/hornsea-project-two + Powering well over 1.4 million homes with green electricity.

Hornsea 2 Offshore Wind Farm is located approximately 89 km (55.3 miles) off the Yorkshire coast in the North Sea and adjacent to Hornsea One offshore wind farm.

Hornsea 2 key facts:

  • 165 Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines
  • Hornsea Two will have a capacity of over 1.3GW and provide power to more than 1.4 million homes
  • Located approximately 89km off the Yorkshire coast in the North Sea
  • Hornsea Two will span an offshore area of 462km²
  • Landfall at Horseshoe Point
  • Became fully operational on 31 August 2022

More information on the Ørsted Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm: https://hornseaproject3.co.uk/ + Hornsea Three offshore wind farm could meet the average daily needs of well over 3 million UK homes.

In August 2015, Ørsted acquired the rights to develop the Hornsea Zone from SMart Wind Ltd, who were originally awarded the zone in The Crown Estate Round 3 bid process. To date, Hornsea One and Hornsea Two have both received planning consent, with Hornsea One now operational and Hornsea Two currently under construction.

On 14 May 2018, we submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for a  third project in the zone, Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm.

The application was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in June 2018 and was granted consent by the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 31 December 2020. 

  • Location:
    • Hornsea Three will be located in the North Sea, approximately 120 km off the Norfolk coast and 160 km off the Yorkshire coast.
  • Size:
    • Up to 231 offshore wind turbines will be located within a 696 km2 area.
  • Power output:
    • The wind farm will be capable of generating at least 2.85 GW of green electricity, enough to meet the average daily needs of well over 3 million homes.

More information on Luke Bridgman (Senior Project Director, Hornsea 3, Orsted): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

 

 

EMR Additional Notes: 

  • Transformers (Distribution Transformers and Power Transformers):
    • A distribution transformer is the type of transformer that performs the last voltage transformation in a distribution grid. It converts the voltage used in the transmission lines to one suitable for household and commercial use, typically down to 240 volts.
    • The transformer is classified into three types based on the voltage level produced: Step down, Step up, and an isolation transformer.
    • Transformers changes from high voltage to low voltage, used in homes and businesses. The main function of this is to reduce the voltage to provide isolation between the two windings as primary and secondary. This transformer distributes electricity to remote areas generated from power plants.
    • While transformer stations are linked to high/medium-voltage transmission systems, electrical substations are designed to support and transform lower voltages.
    • Distribution transformers always operate at a load less the rated full load. Power transformers always operate at full load. Distribution transformers are designed to give maximum efficiency at 60 to 70% of the rated load. Power transformers have maximum efficiency at full load.
    • Power Transformers are used in transmission network of higher voltages for step-up and step down application (400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV, 33kV) and are generally rated above 200MVA.
    • Distribution Transformers are used for lower voltage distribution networks as a means to end user connectivity. (11kV, 6.6 kV, 3.3 kV, 440V, 230V) and are generally rated less than 200 MVA.

 

  • Low Voltage (LV):
    • The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines supply system low voltage as voltage in the range 50–1000 V AC or 120–1500 V DC.
  • Medium Voltage (MV):
    • Medium-voltage circuit breakers rated between 1 and 35/72 kV.
  • High Voltage (HV):
    • The International Electrotechnical Commission define high voltage as above 1000 V for alternating current, and at least 1500 V for direct current.
  • Super High-Voltage: 
    • Is >300kV.
  • Ultra High-Voltage: 
    • Is >1.000kV.

 

  • Switchgears:
    • Broad term that describes a wide variety of switching devices that all fulfill a common need: controlling, protecting, and isolating power systems. This definition can be extended to include devices to regulate and meter a power system, circuit breakers, and similar technology.
    • Switchgear contains fuses, switches, and other power conductors. However, circuit breakers are the most common component found in switchgear.
    • Performs the function of controlling and metering the flow of electrical power in addiction to acting as interrupting and switching devices that protects the equipment from damage arising out of electrical fluctuations.
    • There are three types of switch gears namely LV (Low voltage), MV (Medium voltage) and HV (High voltage) Switchgear.
  • Circuit Breakers:
    • Mechanical electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent/overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after protective relays detect a fault.
    • By definition a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device, a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit, ground faults, or short circuits.
  • Fuses:
    • Single time mechanical circuit interruption in an over-current situation through fusion of a graded electrical conductor. Employed in 30KV to 100KV range.
    • Electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the current.
  • ACB (Air Circuit Breakers): 
    • Uses air as insulating medium.
    • Air circuit breaker is a circuit breaker for the purpose of protecting low voltage circuit, mainly for energizing and cutting off high current
  • VCB (Vacuum Circuit Breakers): 
    • Vacuum is used as the means to protect circuit breakers.
    • Circuit breaker where the arc quenching takes place in a vacuum medium. The operation of switching on and closing of current carrying contacts and interrelated arc interruption takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker which is called a vacuum interrupter.
  • AIS (Air Insulated Switchgears):
    • Air is used for insulation in a metal-clad system
    • Secondary power distribution device and medium voltage switchgear that helps redistribute the power of a primary power distributor powered by a high voltage distribution transformer. AIS controls, protects and isolates electrical equipment in power transmission and distribution systems.
  • GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears): 
    • All working components assembled under SF6 (Sulfur Hexafluoride HV Switchgears) gas-tight casing.
    • Compact metal encapsulated switchgear consisting of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and disconnectors, which can be safely operated in confined spaces.
  • OCB (Oil Circuit Breakers): 
    • Vapors a portion of oil to blast a jet of oil through the arc.
    • Circuit breaker which uses insulating oil as an arc quenching medium
  • Hybrid Circuit Breakers:
    • Combines Air-insulated and SF6 Gas-insulated technologies.
  • MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers): 
    • Employed in domestic households to safeguard against overload. Rated current max. 100 A.
    • Electrical switch that automatically switches off the electrical circuit during an abnormal condition of the network means an overload condition as well as a faulty condition. Nowadays we use an MCB in a low-voltage electrical network instead of a fuse.
    • Circuit breakers have a tripping relay mechanism, while MCB has a tripping release mechanism. Circuit breakers have a high rupturing capacity, but the MCB has a low rupturing capacity. Circuit breakers are used in High Voltage systems, while MCBs are used in Low Voltage systems.
  • RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breakers): 
    • To safeguard against electrical shock arising out of indirect contact and includes the detection of residual current such as earth leakage.
    • Current sensing device, which can automatically measure and disconnect the circuit whenever a fault occurs in the connected circuit or the current exceeds the rated sensitivity.
  • MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breakers): 
    • Incorporates insulating material in the form of molded casing within circuit breaker. Rated current up to 2,500 A.
    • MCCB has a higher interrupting capacity, meaning it can handle larger loads than a conventional breaker. Generally, a standard breaker is used for residential and light commercial applications, while an MCCB is suitable for industrial and heavy commercial applications.
  • Disconnectors: 
    • Automatic switching device that offers specific isolating distance on the basis of specific requirements.
    • Disconnectors (also known as Isolators) are devices which are generally operated off-load to provide isolation of main plant items for maintenance, or to isolate faulted equipment from other live equipment.
  • Contactors: 
    • Works alike high-current switching systems but at higher voltage rates. Contactors can however not be utilized as disconnecting switches. Contactors are employed in 30KV to 100KV range.
    • Special type of relay used for switching an electrical circuit on or off.
    • Electrical device that is widely used for switching circuits on and off. As such, electrical contactors form a subcategory of electromagnetic switches known as relays. A relay is an electrically operated switching device that uses an electromagnetic coil to open and close a set of contacts.
  • PTCB eFuse Circuit Breaker:
    • Electronic micro fuse for DIN rail protecting electronically nominal currents below 1A to facilitate the clear detection of faults and supports precise fault localization and fast recovery. Response times are shorter compared to conventional fuse protection and the exact current value can be adjusted at any time
  • RCD (Residual Current Devices): 
    • Sensitive safety device that switches off the electricity within 10 to 50 milliseconds if there is an electrical fault. An RCD is is designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults.
    • The difference between a circuit breaker and an RCD switch is the purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect the electrical systems and wiring in a home while the purpose of an RCD switch is to protect people from electrocution.
  • RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Over-Current): 
    • RCDs can protect against electric shocks, residual currents, and earth faults. On the other hand, RCBOs can do what RCDs can do and protect a circuit from short circuits and overload. RCBOs are essentially a combination of MCB and RCCB.
    • An RCBO protects electrical equipment from two types of faults; residual current and over current. Residual current, or Earth leakage as it can sometimes be referred to, is when there is a break in the circuit that could be caused by faulty electrical wiring or if the wire is accidentally cut.