An interconnector (also known as a DC tie in the USA) is a structure which enables high voltage DC electricity to flow between electrical grids. An electrical interconnector allows electricity to flow between separate AC networks, or to link synchronous grids. They can be formed of submarine power cables or underground power cables or

overhead power line An overhead power line is a structure used in electric power transmission and distribution to transmit electrical energy across large distances. It consists of one or more uninsulated electrical cables (commonly multiples of three for three-p ...

s. The longest interconnection as of July 2022 was the 2,210 km Hami - Zhengzhou delivering 8 GW of

high voltage direct current A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system (also called a power superhighway or an electrical superhighway) uses direct current (DC) for electric power transmission, in contrast with the more common alternating curre ...

power. The longest proposed connector is the 3,800 km, 3.6 GW Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project.

Economy

Interconnectors allow the

trading Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market. An early form of trade, barter, saw the direct excha ...

of electricity between territories. For example, the East–West Interconnector allows the trading of electricity between the UK and

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. A territory which generates more energy than it requires for its own activities can therefore sell surplus energy to a neighbouring territory. Interconnectors also provide increased resilience. Within the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been de ...

there is a movement towards a single market for energy, which makes interconnectors viable. As such, the Nordic and Baltic energy exchange

Nord Pool Spot Nord Pool AS is a pan-European power exchange. Nord Pool has a main office in Oslo and further offices in Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Berlin and London. The company is owned by the European exchange operator Euronext as well as TSO Holding, ...

rely on multiple interconnectors. The fullest possible implementation of this is the proposed European super grid which would include numerous interconnectors between national networks. Interconnectors are used to increase the security of the energy supply and to manage peak demand. They enable cross-border access to the producers and consumers of electricity, thus increasing the competition in energy markets. They also help integrate more electricity generated from renewable sources,GB/France : un projet d’interconnexion dans les tuyaux... de la justice
www.lemondedelenergie.com thus reducing the use of fossil fuel power plants and emissions. Interconnectors aid adaptation to changing demand patterns such as the uptake of electric vehicles.

Infrastructure

Interconnectors may run across a land border or connect two land areas separated by water. As of July 2022 there are at least 35 international connectors and many more intra-national connectors, see high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) projects.

References

{{reflist Natural gas Electric power infrastructure

Economy

Infrastructure

See also

References