Dragan Jovcic

Background

About Dragan Jovcic

Dragan Jovcic's research interests are in the areas of High Power Electronics, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission, DC transmission grids, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), Interconnection of renewable energy, Power system modelling and control. The DC transmission grid is the facilitating technology for large-scale offshore renewable energy deployment. Wind energy is predicted to be the largest source of renewable energy, as power generation industry transitions from fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. Most onshore wind energy has already been exploited while expanding onshore transmission infrastructure is very challenging. The contract price from the most recent offshore wind projects indicate that offshore energy has become competitive with other sources, even without subsidies. Offshore wind has the potential to offer solution for large-scale, long-term renewable energy supply. In the EU energy policy white paper (Green Deal, December 2019), Europe aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, where development of offshore wind is on of key directions for clean energy supply. The detailed studies by WindEurope indicate 380GW as the exploitable offshore wind in the North Sea by 2050. This is significant electrical energy, and a substantial increase from the existing 20GW installed offshore capacity, while UK has 80GW share which is larger than its peak installed generation capacity. The electrification of NorthSea bed would help significantly towards decarbonization of the existing UK oil and gas exploitation and facilitate access to remote and marginal new sites. There are many new offshore industries emerging in the UK like: power generators offshore, power-to-x and various storage solutions (gas, hydrogen, compressed air.) that will all depend on reliable and flexible subsea power grid. The DC grid technologies and operating principles will be significantly different from traditional AC systems. Most of DC grid components will be based on semiconductors (converters using transistors or thyristors), are in various stages of research/development, require advanced skills, and perform better: AC/DC converters (largely exist) replace traditional large generating stations, DC/DC converters replace AC transformers, DC Circuit Breakers replace AC switchgear, and Electronic DC hubs replace entire AC substations. Modfied wind generators with DC output and (integrated) DC/DC converters will be needed.