Moyle Interconnector
The Moyle Interconnector is a 500 megawatt (MW) HVDC link between Scotland and Northern Ireland, running between Auchencrosh in Ayrshire and Ballycronan More in County Antrim. It went into service in 2001 and is owned and operated by Mutual Energy.
| Moyle Interconnector | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Islandmagee, showing Ballylumford power station and the nearby Ballycronan More convertor station | |
| Location | |
| Country | United Kingdom (Scotland & N. Ireland) |
| From | Auchencrosh, South Ayrshire |
| To | Ballycronan More, County Antrim |
| Ownership information | |
| Owner | Mutual Energy |
| Construction information | |
| Commissioned | 2001 |
| Technical information | |
| Type | Submarine cable |
| Type of current | HVDC |
| Total length | 63.5 km (39.5 mi) |
| Power rating | 500 MW |
| DC voltage | 250 kV |
| No. of poles | 2 |
Specifications
The Moyle Interconnector has a capacity of 500 MW and is of dual monopole configuration. Each pole consists of a coaxial 250 kV DC cable with integrated return conductors (IRC), each cable having a transmission capacity of 250 MW. The LV return conductor elements of the IRCs have suffered failures (see below), and their function was restored by laying new separate metallic return conductors (MRCs) in 2016.[1] The converter stations are equipped with light-triggered thyristors.[2] The converter stations were designed and constructed by Siemens, while the cables were manufactured by Nexans in Halden, Norway.
The converter station at Auchencrosh is connected via a 64 km (40-mile) single-circuit 275 kV overhead three-phase AC line, which is installed on delta-type pylon, to Coylton substation, where the connection with the high voltage grid of Great Britain takes place. The connection to Northern Ireland is then made through dual 63.5 km (39.5-mile) long monopolar cables, of which 55 km (34 miles) are submarine cables. The Ballycronan More converter station is connected into the Northern Ireland grid through two 275 kV circuits.
Operating history
In August 2011, the interconnector went out of service.[3] Repairs were made[4] and the cable became operational again with 450 MW in February 2012.[5]
However, further faults meant that a major part of the interconnector had to be taken out of service until it could be augmented with the additional LV return cables, completed in 2016. This restored capacity to the full 500 MW.[6] This was carried out by Nexans (Norway) with the aid of Morrows (NI) and Romac Civil Engineering (NI).
In February 2017, the cable suffered another fault, halving capacity to 250 MW.[7] However full capacity was restored in September 2017, following repairs by Nexans.
A major refurbishment of the control and protection systems was undertaken in 2022; this was delivered pole by pole, allowing 250 MW capacity to be maintained for most of the project. The new controls support enhanced ancillary services as well as more resilient operation in low fault level conditions.
Mutual Energy
Mutual Energy is a mutual company which manages the Moyle Interconnector (and some high pressure gas transmission assets including the Scotland-Northern Ireland Pipeline) for the benefit of Northern Ireland's energy consumers.
Economic aspects
Intraday capacity trading is not available, but is being discussed.[8]
Since November 2017, exports to Scotland are limited to 80 MW due to National Grid UK transmission constraints. However, two-day ahead projections of wind in Scotland are used to allow flows of up to 300 MW. The 80 MW constraint is expected to rise to 500 MW by 2022.[9]
Moyle also provides frequency support services to both Eirgrid and National Grid. These services provide for fast change of power flow in the event of a network disturbance on either the NI or Scotland transmission systems.
Sites
| Site | Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Coylton substation | 55°26′49″N 4°25′52″W |
| Auchencrosh converter station | 55°4′10″N 4°58′50″W |
| Cable enters sea | 55°3′30″N 5°2′41″W |
| Cable leaves sea | 54°50′44″N 5°43′20″W |
| Ballycronan More converter station | 54°50′34″N 5°46′11″W |
References
- "Moyle Interconnector | 4C Offshore". 4offshore.com.
- "HVDC – High Voltage Direct Current Power Transmission" (PDF). Siemens. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- "Moyle Interconnector fault" (Press release). Mutual Energy. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011.
- "Update on Moyle cable faults repair" (Press release). Mutual Energy. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
- "Update on Moyle repair progress" (Press release). Mutual Energy. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
- "Decision on long-term repair of Moyle Interconnector cables". Mutual Energy. 13 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- "Fault detected with Moyle interconnector". 4c Offshore. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- "Charging for interconnector capacity allocated intra-day in SEM" (PDF). February 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2012.
- "Moyle Interconnector Limited Interconnector Capacity Calculation June 2017 : Consultation Document" (PDF). Mutual-energy.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
External links
- "The Moyle Interconnector: Interconnector Physical Flows (real time data)". Mutual Energy. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011.
- "The Moyle Interconnector". Mutual Energy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
- "High Voltage Direct Current Transmission - Proven Technology for Power Exchange" (PDF). Siemens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008.
- Tech-wise Services. "Moyle Interconnector" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2005.
- "Map of Moyle Interconnector". System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI). Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
- "History and Development of the Moyle Interconnector". Mutual Energy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
