Knowra Supergrid Supergrid A high-capacity electricity transmission network connecting distant regions or countries. Supergrids often use high-voltage direct current to move power over long distances and across asynchronous grids.
High-voltage direct current : A method of transmitting electricity as direct current at high voltage, typically using converter stations to connect with alternating-current grids. Its low long-distance losses and controllable power flows make it a common supergrid backbone.
Offshore wind power : Electricity generated by wind turbines located in bodies of water, usually connected to shore by submarine cables. A shared offshore network can connect wind farms to multiple countries and markets.
European super grid : A proposed or developing network of long-distance electricity links intended to connect European countries and renewable resources. Europe's cross-border transmission plans are among the best-known supergrid proposals.
Alternating current : Electric current that periodically reverses direction, used by most regional electricity grids. Supergrid proposals often contrast HVDC long-distance links with the AC systems they interconnect.
Transmission loss : Electrical energy dissipated as heat or other losses while power travels through transmission equipment and lines. Distance and conversion stages affect how much energy a supergrid can deliver to its destinations.
Voltage-source converter : A power-electronic converter that uses semiconductor switches and capacitors to control alternating-current voltage and direct-current power. It lets HVDC links connect weak grids and independently control active and reactive power.
Interconnector : A transmission link that allows electricity to flow between two power systems, regions, or countries. Interconnectors are the links from which a larger cross-border supergrid is assembled.
Desertec : An initiative proposing large-scale renewable energy generation in deserts, with electricity transmitted to nearby regions including Europe. It made long-distance transmission from North African solar resources central to a prominent supergrid vision.
Distributed generation : Electricity production from relatively small generators located near the consumers or networks they serve. It emphasizes local supply rather than the supergrid's long-distance transfer of bulk power.
Electricity transmission siting : The process of selecting routes and locations for power lines, cables, and associated infrastructure. Long-distance links face land-use, permitting, and public-acceptance constraints across multiple jurisdictions.
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