The European Supergrid

Marine Observation and Data Expert GroupBrussels, March 10, 2011

Ana Aguado CornagoCEO, Friends of the Supergrid

www.friendsofthesupergrid.eu

A group of companies and

organisations with a mutual

interest in promoting the policy

agenda for a European Supergrid

The Supergrid is an electricity transmission system, mainly based on HVDC, designed to facilitate large-scale sustainable power generation in remote areas for transmission to centres of consumption.

What is the Supergrid?

• Carbon neutral Europe by 2050

• Single European electricity market

• Security and sustainability of supply

Why the Supergrid?

Momentum• Political support from EU and national level• Initiatives and studies are pawing the way

towards the realisation of a Supergrid• Cost-benefit calculations are in favour of a

Supergrid• Technology is available, supply chain is ready

to go• Regulation needs to be adjusted• A 2050 masterplan is needed

FOSG proposals• Phase one of Supergrid (December 2010)• Regulatory framework (December 2010)• Ownership issues (beginning 2011)• Employment opportunities for Europe (mid

2011)• Technology developments (mid 2011)• 2050 Roadmap (mid 2011)

Supergrid Phase 1 – Key rationales

• Plan to connect further 25-30 GW of offshore wind by 2020 in the North Sea (e.g. UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium)

• Enable to trade existing hydro generation in markets with better prices

• Existing networks in Europe are already congested

• The SuperNode interconnects HVDC links with offshore wind parks via a small islanded AC network (node)

• HVDC links are based on VSC (Voltage Source Converter) transmission technology

• The concept if largely based on technology available today

Supergrid technology: the “Supernode”

Let’s make it happen

• Europe needs:• A unified electricity market

• Sourced by “green energy”

• Granting electricity independence

• The Supergrid enables Europe’s vision, via:

• European technology

• European jobs

Thank you for your attention

Ana.Aguado@fosg.euwww.friendsofthesupergrid.eu