Subsea high-voltage power distribution

Abstract

Subsea process units are going all electric and require substantial amounts of electrical power. Such installations do not require offshore platforms and thus all power will come from shore via long power umbilicals. Since it is not economically viable to supply power to individual loads from shore, subsea distribution systems are required. The total load will be up to the 100 MW range thus requiring high-voltage power distribution. The subsea environment of the substation has a very strong influence on its design, and very high availability is one of the main design criteria.