The substation, which weighs in at 8500 tonnes, is being claimed as the energetic core of the Wikinger offshore wind farm.
It will collect all of the electricity that is generated at the wind farm. It will convert the 33,000 volts from the wind farm into 220,000 volts.
This current will be transmitted through the high voltage undersea cable over 90km distance to the Lubmin electrical substation.
The offshore wind farm will help meet the energy demands of nearly 350,000 German households and can help to avoid at least 600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year into the atmosphere.
Iberdrola claims that the substation has been designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. The substation will be used on a joint basis by Iberdrola and 50Hertz, the electricity system operator in the Baltic Sea off Germany.
All of the structural components of the substation, with exception of the electrical equipment were manufactured at Navantia’s shipyard in Puerto Real (Cadiz).
The foundation, referred to as jacket was installed on top of the foundation piles that had been driven previously. The six-legged jacket was then joined to the piles using a special type of concrete.
The substation including its electrical components such as transformers, switches and protection and control systems were installed after the concrete on the jacket had hardened. At the same time, 50Hertz’s uploading cable and the internal cable from the wind farm connecting to the substation were also installed.
The Wikinger offshore wind farm, which can produce a total of 350MW through 70 turbines, each producing 5MW, will be installed in an area of 34km2.
Image: Substation Andalucia installed at the Wikinger offshore wind farm in Baltic Sea. Photo: Courtesy of Iberdrola, S.A.
