The one megavolt challenge
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | SVENSKA ELFÖRETAGENS FORSKNINGS- OCH UTVECKLINGS - Svenska Elföretagens Forsknings- och Utvecklings- Elforsk - Aktiebolag |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 588 842 |
| Project duration | August 2013 - June 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
A strategic research and innovation agenda that describes how to develop the next generation HVDC cable system has been elaborated. There is a great need to develop a cable system for one million volts that would enable large scale use of electricity from renewable sources as well as the connection of transnational transmission networks. The cable system would have a capacity that is about four times larger than the present and would match the capacity of today´s over head lines. The agenda recommends the creation of a collaborative platform.
Results and expected effects
The agenda decribes today´s technology and the challanges that have to be met in order to reach the agenda´s vision. The actors behind the agenda agree on the need for a collaborative platform in order to develop a HVDC cable system for one million volts within reasonable time. They are preapared to take the next step, to form a stratigic innovation area for HVDC. During ´Almedalen Week 2014´ the agenda was presented and during a debate that followed politicians from different parties supported the need to further develop the transmission networks.
Approach and implementation
The elaboration of the agenda has been done through a number of working group meetings where the foremost Swedish experts in the field have participated and contributed with their knowledge. The discussions during, and between, the meetings have led to the common view of the need for a collaborative platform. ABB, Borealis, Chalmers, KTH, Luleå tekniska universitet, Power Circle, SP, Svenska kraftnät, STRI, SwedNanoTech and Vattenfall have all actively contributed. Elforsk has been the coordinator of the process.