Hitachi Energy recently announced its pivotal role in a groundbreaking offshore wind venture. This project takes place at the L Site on the northern Shandong Peninsula of eastern China. This ambitious project is located 70 kilometers from the coast. It uniquely hopes to capture the region’s enormous wind energy potential—its total installed capacity is 504 megawatts (MW). The site hosts depths greater than 50 meters. Innovative Infrastructure It will include 42 high-capacity wind turbines, each of which will be able to generate 12 MW.
The project addresses the increasing need for offshore wind farms to operate at 66 kilovolts (kV) in China. To further this effort, Hitachi Energy has designed a 69 kV HiDry offshore dry-type transformer that is truly a game-changer. This cutting-edge technology offers a completely dry, transformed alternative to conventional liquid-immersed transformers, improving operations and safety.
Innovative Technology for Enhanced Efficiency
The introduction of the 69 kV HiDry offshore dry-type transformer also represents a major leap forward in transformer technology. This new offshore transformer was uniquely developed to address the distinct challenges of offshore environments. It’s a promise for consistent and dependable operation, even in the harshest of environments.
Through the use of larger turbines, a multiple of 3, the project markedly increases power collection efficiency. The introduction of these higher-capacity wind turbines has made significant energy production more possible while generating significant cost savings. This type of technological innovation makes the project’s overall feasibility much stronger. More importantly, it further establishes the project as a pioneer in the overall transition to renewable energy sources.
“As an important approach to achieving carbon neutrality goals, offshore wind power has seen rapid development in recent years in China, leading globally both in installation scale and innovation. We are very pleased to support the stable operation of large-capacity, high-power offshore wind turbines through continuous innovation of transformers, and help enhance the environmental value of offshore wind power projects with safe and sustainable solutions. We will continue to work closely with customers and partners, using innovative technologies to tackle challenges during the large-scale development of offshore wind power, and contribute to China’s energy transition.” – Zhang Jianhua, Hitachi Energy transformers business unit Greater China head senior vice-president.
Addressing Growing Energy Demands
China’s commitment to renewable energy has become more and more apparent as the country has worked toward its carbon neutrality goals. The L Site project exemplifies this endeavor, showcasing the nation’s capacity for large-scale offshore wind development. High-capacity turbines and new transformer technology will be key in supplying the growing energy needs. They will allow us to do our part to mitigate the environmental consequences of our work.
With the global shift towards renewable energy sources, projects like the one at L Site are critical for advancing sustainable energy solutions. As a sponsor, Hitachi Energy works alongside local stakeholders to tell the success-enabling story of innovation. Collectively, they promote innovation and bring about smarter energy generation and delivery.
A Sustainable Future
This offshore wind project will mark the successful ramping up of an exciting new product to China’s energy portfolio. By doing so, it will establish a new gold standard for renewable energy programs worldwide. As countries look to reduce their carbon footprints, the lessons learned from this project may provide valuable insights into optimizing offshore wind technology.
