by Shane Henson — June 13, 2011—Siemens Energy recently announced a contract with Hudson Transmission Partners of Fairfield, Connecticut to install a turnkey HVDC (high-voltage direct-current) back-to-back link to connect the power supply networks of New Jersey and New York. Siemens estimates that an additional 660 megawatts of controlled electric power will be transmitted in the future via a high-voltage cable link across the Hudson River from New Jersey to boost the power supply of the megacity New York. The power link is scheduled to come online in summer 2013.
Udo Niehage, CEO of the Power Transmission Division of Siemens Energy, says that together with their consortium partner Prysmian, which will be handling the cable link, the company will create another power highway to meet New York’s growing power demand.
The Siemens HVDC turnkey back-to-back link will not only connect the two power supply networks, it will also enable control of the power flow on the new power highway to New York. The HVDC technology, with its fast control function, will also contribute toward stabilization of the connected systems, which is a key benefit in the event of grid disturbances or blackouts. Furthermore, Siemens says this high-capacity power link will make sure to avoid bottlenecks on the power supply for New York.