The U.S. electric grid will need to increase its capacity by 2.5 times by 2050 to handle
the expected surge in renewable energy resources, according to DNV. To address this
challenge, DNV has completed the first phase of its High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
Standards Joint Industry Project (JIP), aimed at bridging the gaps in HVDC transmission
system standards, which are critical to upgrading the U.S. grid.
With electricity demand rising due to expanding data centers, electrification of
transportation and buildings, and the growing renewable energy sector, there is an
urgent need to modernize the grid. HVDC transmission systems offer a solution by
enhancing grid capacity, reliability, and resilience. However, their limited adoption has
led to a lack of comprehensive standards.
The initial phase of the JIP involved a survey that identified key areas needing new
standards for HVDC systems in the U.S. These areas include performance and grid
codes, manuals for Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent
System Operators (ISOs), utility interconnection guidelines, and offshore design
requirements. While existing standards—like IEEE 2800-2022 and NERC
regulations—cover some aspects such as active power control and fault ride-through,
significant gaps remain in areas like control modes, islanded operation, and adaptive
control.
Over the next three years, DNV and its industry partners, including major players like
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, Equinor, and National Grid Ventures, will conduct a
more detailed gap analysis and develop strategies to address these challenges. By
2026, the team plans to propose updates to key standards and regulations, including
revisions to RTO rules and offshore wind requirements.
“The speed at which we can achieve the clean energy transition depends heavily on
modernizing the U.S. transmission grid,” said Richard S. Barnes, President of Energy
Systems North America at DNV. “HVDC can significantly enhance the grid’s reliability
and capacity, but it’s crucial that the current U.S. Grid Code includes the necessary
performance standards to ensure safe and efficient operations.”
DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook for North America underscores the importance
of these efforts, predicting that HVDC systems will make up 10% of the grid by 2050.
While the majority of current transmission lines use HVAC, HVDC is gaining attention for
its cost-effectiveness and ability to transmit large amounts of electricity with minimal
losses, especially for undersea cables linking offshore wind farms.
