Integrating the first HVDC-based offshore wind power into PJM system ? A real project case study

Offshore wind power, a type of renewable energy sources, presents a unique set of technical, economic and regulatory challenges to the power system planning and operation. PJM Interconnection, one of the largest independent system planners (ISP) in the United States in terms of total load served, has recently received a merchant proposal to integrate offshore wind power of several gigawatt capacities on the Atlantic Coast. The proposed project comprises of offshore wind farms, subsea cable system, converter stations, and HVDC transmission lines to facilitate the delivery of wind power into the main grid. This paper investigates and reports on the detailed reliability and economic analyses of integrating such offshore wind power into PJM system. We also provide a qualitative assessment of regulatory issues, related to offshore wind power as the issue of integrating renewable energy resources is at the center of public policy debate in the US. The work presented here would be of interest and applicable to any system planner who plans to integrate renewable offshore wind power into their system.