TRANSMISSION OPTIONS FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARMS IN THE UNITED STATES

While offshore wind farms have been installed in Europe for over a decade, developers in the United States are only beginning to look toward the offshore resource. This paper provides an introduction to transmission issues for offshore wind farms in North America, aimed towards non-electrical engineers in the windpower industry. Topics include cable terminology and installation, and factors involved in choosing a voltage and between AC and DC. Specific issues related to offshore wind farm development in the United States include the lack of a domestic manufacturer of medium and high voltage insulated submarine cables, as well as a shortage of domestic equipment and experience in large-scale submarine cable laying. A project in the US must take into consideration the cost of transporting cables and equipment from overseas manufacturers.

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