Subsea substation

Connect offshore wind to the grid without the topside footprint. Up to seven times lighter - and the cooling for free.

OVERVIEW

A better way, under the sea

Our subsea substations can collect, transform and transmit power from offshore wind parks. More cost-efficiently and on a much smaller footprint than topside solutions.

Compact and maintenance free, our substations sit on the seabed, where they benefit from stable natural cooling and can be connected without the need for dynamic cables. They are part of a modular suite of subsea grid components that offer a smarter way of transporting offshore power.

SUBSEA SUBSTATION

A small footprint, in every way

Our HV AC subsea substation handles the same power (400MVA) as a comparable topside platform at a fraction of the size and weight. It’s compact (L/W/H 20m x 7m x 7m) and its needs are humble: it requires no extra cooling, virtually no maintenance, no jacket.

30 yrs

Long maintenance-free life

-85%

Only 15% the weight of topside alternatives

↓ 1500m

Designed for deep water

APPLICATION

Light-footed substations for a new kind of subsea grid

Our subsea substations are part of a highly flexible suite of subsea grid components. They enable new, smarter approaches to getting power to shore:

Efficient high-voltage AC transmission from wind park to shore. Our standard subsea substation transforms from 66kV to 230kV and can be positioned close to the turbines for reduced cabling, with a single seabed cable connecting the substation to the onshore grid
Efficient high-voltage AC transmission from wind park to HV DC topside platform offshore. A special subsea substation delivers the 66kV to 400kV step-up early, on the seabed, so only the AC/DC conversion step remains topside, with cooling supplied via subsea cooling. As a result, the size of the topside facility is reduced by 30%.
Efficient high-voltage AC transmission from wind park to offshore hydrogen platform. An HV AC substation collects power from wind parks and transmits to a central hydrogen production platform, which in turn is connected to a hydrogen pipeline

FEATURES

Modularity, scalability and flex

A simple idea, made real through decades of subsea power experience: our subsea substations leverage the cool and calm environment of the ocean floor to deliver exceptionally flexible, light and efficient power infrastructure. Proven in the oil & gas industry, now standardized and engineered for a more diverse energy future offshore.

Multipurpose for flex

Proven technology with more than one use, for a flexible offshore grid. Same substations can send power to shore or receive it, can collect or distribute. Transformers for AC and DC applications, to transmit wind energy, electrify offshore platforms or power hydrogen production.

Modular for speed

Smaller, modular components that can scale or be multiplied ensure shorter lead times and faster to supply. For example, subsea step-up for transmission to DC platform can scale to 1.6 GW by using 4 transformer modules.

Lower-cost grid

Optimised offshore grid layouts minimizes cabling and transmission losses. Putting as much of the infrastructure as possible on the seabed reduces cooling, auxiliaries, maintenance and the need for larger permanent structures.