Grid Access Solutions
General Information
- Description
- Turnkey Expertise
- Technology
- Service
- References
In times of growing energy scarcity renewable energy sources like windpower gain importance. On a turnkey base Grid Access stands for:
- Containing more than pure FACTS elements or HVDC converter stations
- Providing access for remote electrical generation or load to a grid, e.g. renewable energy island, mines or oil & gas.
- Utilizing an AC or DC (Current Sourced Compensator or Voltage-Sourced Converter technology) transmission link
Numerous effective projects confirm Siemens as well proven innovation leader.
As the world´s only integrated energy technology company Siemens supplies a comprehensive range of reliable, efficient, and proven grid access solutions.
From generator to grid access, Siemens is with you every step of the way.
For Renewables, Industries & Offshore Platforms
Siemens is a wise (turnkey) choice for meeting economic and technical requirements, and to assure the maximum return on investment.
Today´s rapid expansion of wind parks for power generation makes customized solutions for grid access essential.
Therefore, Siemens provices wind park grid connections (AC or DC technology) on a turnkey base, including studies for the connection to the electrical system, basic design, delivery of platforms, civil works, installation and commissioning.
Our overall experience, innovative technology, superior service (e.g. system studies and optimized design), financing support and established partnerships together with a strong local presence can make the key-difference in your company´s successful access program. With Siemens you get a superior turnkey job.
From generator to grid access, Siemens is with you every step of the way.
Embedding decentralized or dispersed generators such as wind farms off and on-shore in the power systems requires a higher investment in technology and greater complexity in electrical design. The stability of the grid and transmission distance are challenges which have to be taken into consideration.
How does Siemens tailor technology to meet your demands?
Siemens conducts studies of your specific needs to determine the most technically efficient and economically feasible system solution. Specific attention is paid to intelligently designing the „collection systems“ at the medium voltage level followed by the high-voltage transmission system offering grid access.
As a world leader in the field of Power Transmission & Distribution for AC and DC technology, Siemens provides reliable and future-orientated solutions with its own product lines and an excellent partnership, with companies of decentralized generating units, e.g. platforms.
Superior Service from Studies to Upgrade…
Siemens turnkey projects not only contain well proven technology but also the adequate service to guarantee an efficient development process. Giving you the edge in business efficiency, Siemens offers you engineering expertise beginning with studies, concept and basic design through digital and real-time simulation of the actual system. Siemens´ systematic, professional, and comprehensive project management ensures the reliable completion of the project within a clear quality, time, and cost framework. After Installation and Commissioning Siemens´ services even reach up to the required Maintenance and Trainings and keep the option for potential Upgrades.
Siemens delivers a complete range of operation and maintenance services ensuring first-class performance while meeting customer requirements. Siemens offers comprehensive lifetime asset management services, remote diagnostics, 24-hour monitoring, and authorized employees among other services to guarantee power availability where and when needed.
Quality of life and environmental responsibility are unchangeable Siemens commitments. So, wherever the latest power technologies work, the needs of people and nature will always come first. Siemens can prove superior experiences in the range of Grid Access solutions and provides…
- High reliability and availability
- Low investment cost
- Efficient Power Transmission
- Professional adaptation to the transmission grid
- Ease of operation
Therewith today´s challenges like the increasing demand for energy or the stabilization and improvement of existing AC networks are successfully met by Siemens Grid Access customized solutions.
| No. | Project | Country | Power Rating | In Operation |
| 1 | Lillgrund | Sweden | 110 MW | 2007 |
| 2 | Lynn/Inner Dowsing | UK | 180 MW | 2008 |
| 3 | Thanet | UK | 300 MW | 2009 |
| 4 | Greater Gabbard | UK | 500 MW | 2010 |
| 5 | London Array | UK | 630 MW | 2012 |
| 6 | Lincs | UK | 270 MW | 2012 |
| 7 | Gwynt y Mor | UK | 576 MW | 2014 |
| 8 | BorWin2 | Germany | 800 MW | 2013 |
| 9 | HelWin1 | Germany | 576 MW | 2013 |
| 10 | Nordsee Ost | Germany | 295 MW | 2013 |
| 11 | SylWin1 | Germany | 864 MW | 2014 |
| 12 | HelWin2 | Germany | 690 MW | 2015 |
Our Portfolio (1)
WIPOS
Windpower Offshore Substation from Siemens
- Description
- Self-lifting solution
- Topside / Jacket solution
- Going offshore
Siemens Wind Power Offshore Substation (WIPOS) is the optimal, flexible and innovative solution that ensures long-term offshore operation.
WIPOS serves as an interface between the wind turbines and the onshore grid. It combines the ’topside’ which includes an optimal substation configuration with the ’foundation’ entity as the base for the topside.
WIPOS topside offers a multi-deck construction including a helideck for helicopter landing designed to meet aviation regulations.
For optimized (customized) substation solutions, WIPOS will utilize prefabricated sections with flexible configurations for both AC and DC applications.
The WIPOS foundation design offers the flexibility to meet various offshore weather, tide and seabed conditions with three main configurations:
- WIPOS - self lifting solution
- WIPOS - topside and jacket solution
- WIPOS - floating solution
With WIPOS Siemens supplies a comprehensive offshore grid connection solution and marks an innovative role in design, engineering and installation of offshore platforms.
Known for its versatility, this proposed Siemens Wind Power Offshore Substation (WIPOS) as a self-lifting solution offers the opportunity for self installation and eliminates the need for a heavy lift vessel as well as other associated risks. It includes a platform structure which lifts itself.
The self lifting solution consists of the following main components:
Topside including legs:
The topside consists of a rectangular shaped pontoon with customized internal walls and decks to suit the type and configuration of equipment required. Allowing self-jacking/installing the, legs are an integral part of the topside and are immersed and then connected to the substructure base frame.
Substructure base frame:
The base frame is the foundation of the platform and serves as an interface with the piles that are driven into the seabed and connect the platform legs.
For pre-installation of cables, Siemens WIPOS self lifting solution could incorporate a cable access tower serving as a protective casing for the J-tubes and medium/high voltage import/export cables to and from the platform.
Topside:
The topside structure accommodates the main high voltage electrical equipment, as well as personnel and equipment support facilities. It is available in two main configurations:
- The trussed construction consists of decks linked by steel trusses, which give strength to the structure.
- The plated construction uses the walls and deck floors to give strength to the overall structure.
Jacket substructure:
For giving structural strength, the jacket substructure includes tubular legs and braces.
Siemens offers two main configurations for the WIPOS jacket substructure:
- Stand-alone jacket is the favored solution when the project time schedule dictates that the installation of the topside will follow shortly after the jacket installation or when the wind turbine installation vessel is used for the installation of the jacket.
- Jacket including a cable deck offers the opportunity of an independent installation of cables prior to the delivery of the topside.
As a technology manufacturer driven by innovation and with a high degree of in-house capability, Siemens is able to offer optimized technologies that best fit the WIPOS™ solution.
For providing an integrated solution with the requisite performance guarantees (e.g. ensuring Grid Code Compliance) Siemens stands for managing complex interfaces and a project schedule with robust processes and excellent project management expertise.
Siemens offers added value through proactively managing the supply chain throughout the project lifecycle, including major subcontracts, from fabrication, to installation and transportation.
Design
Once a design concept has been generated, a WIPOS solution will pass through a sequential process until realization ensuring consistency and reliability whilst maintaining flexibility.
Fabrication
Fabrication takes place in yard facilities equipped with heavy-duty machinery and cranes necessary to cut steel and construct the foundation and the topside. The topside itself is built in sections whereby each section is prefabricated and transported by means of trailers and cranes for assembly and coating respectively. During structure assembly, installation of equipment on the platform would be taking place in parallel.
Load-Out
Load-out takes place only after fabrication is complete and all equipment is installed and commissioned. There are different load out methods which depend on available facilities, the conceptual design and the weight of the substation. For example, a topside/jacket configuration could use either a crane to lift and transport or a multi-wheeled trailer usually positioned under the platform. A self-installing configuration could use the aforementioned methods or it could even be floated out if the yard has a sufficient dry dock facility.
Transport
Transport of the foundation and topside begins when both construction entities are fabricated, loaded out and ready to be installed. Transportation times are driven by design, environmental and weather conditions. As a result methods of transport may include large barges with high transport capacity, for a typical jacket / topside solution, or tug boats with high pulling capability for a self lifting solution.
Offshore installation
The foundation is pre-installed prior to the arrival of the topside by positioning and lowering it into the seabed in a controlled manner at its specified offshore location. The topside will then be set into its final position and fixed to the foundation. Installation methods are varying depending on the WIPOS configurations and crane vessel size variations.
Watch our Video: WIPOS - The Offshore Way
