Great Belt (Storebælt)

The Great Belt power link, also known as the Storebælt HVDC, is a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection across the Great Belt in Denmark, connecting the power transmission systems of Funen and Zealand. This project was commissioned in 2010 and connects Denmark's two separated transmission systems.

Technical Specifications

The Great Belt power link is a 600 MW Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC system operating at a voltage of 400 kV. It consists of two converter stations: the Fraugde converter station on Funen and the Herslev converter station on Zealand. The total length of the interconnector is 58 km, including a 32 km sea cable, a 16 km land cable on Funen, and a 10 km land cable on Zealand. The converter stations were supplied by Siemens Energy.

Historical Context

Discussions about interconnecting Denmark's eastern and western power systems date back to 1921. However, the project was rejected multiple times in 1966, 1971, and 1984. The decision to build the Storebælt HVDC was finally made in December 2005, based on a feasibility study conducted that year. The construction of the link began in 2009 and was completed in 2010.

Purpose and Benefits

The primary purpose of the Great Belt power link is to improve the utilization of Denmark's power system. It allows for sharing of power reserves, obtaining synergies in a common regulating power market, and enhancing overall market performance. The link connects two different synchronous areas: the eastern system, which is synchronous with the Nordic grid, and the western system, which is synchronous with the Continental European grid.