Yes it does. Why?

The development of a ‘supergrid’ has been hailed as a means to attain the ambitious renewable energy targets Europe has set. The supergrid idea is finding acceptance in academic, industrial and political circles. The basic definition of a supergrid can be derived directly from the word’s etymology: a supergrid is a grid which resides ‘on top’ of the existing grid. This basic definition is important in that it immediately makes clear that the supergrid is not just an extension of the existing grid, but a whole new layer or backbone, or at the very least a new independent structure, connected to the existing grid. The definition of supergrid as an overlaying grid is very broad. To arrive at a workable definition, it has to be further specified what is meant by a ‘supergrid’. A supergrid could be based on Alternating current (AC) or Direct Current (DC), it could be offshore or onshore, fully meshed or with alternative topologies integrating point-to-point links, or a combination of all of the above.

A supergrid would not only be used for connecting offshore wind farms, but also for international trade. In Europe, a large number of submarine cables are already installed for international trading purposes, and more are planned. A supergrid spanning multiple and far away countries would increase the potential for international trade.

Based on the applications that form the drivers for the supergrid, the technical requirements for a supergrid can be defined. A first requirement is long-distance transmission. A supergrid would connect renewable source from different, often remote regions. A second requirement is that sufficient ratings can be achieved, to allow connection of large-scale renewable energy sources. A third requirement is the meshed nature of the supergrid. Meshing a transmission grid increases its overall reliability. When large-scale renewable energy sources are connected to the load centers, it is desirable that they do not rely on a single connection for the export of power. Lastly, it is clear that the European supergrid will have a significant offshore component. All equipment should therefore be suitable for offshore use.

A European Supergrid would be a fully integrated European-wide grid incorporating both onshore and offshore grids. Depending on the precise definition of a Supergrid, there are several technical models:

i. A radial approach to offshore connections and optimal interconnection between European Member States; or

ii. Some local co-ordination which integrates offshore connections within Member States and optimal interconnection; or

iii. Some international co-ordination bilaterally between Member States on an integrated network of interconnectors and offshore wind; or

iv. A fully integrated solution across multiple Member States for both interconnection and offshore wind.

More economically: 

A supergrid reduces scarcities of network capacities between the regions. If there are seperate price regions a supergrid leads to reduced prices in the more expansive region (and vice versa). If there a no seperate price regions the influence on prices is more moderate and based on higher transporting capacacites between the region (e.g. the north of germany with a lot of off-shore wind mills and industrial centers located more in the south.).

It definitely does, Mohammed.

Are you looking for something more specific ?

-Sanjay

Dears Jorge Morales and Wolfgang, Thanks for your valuable answers

Dear Sanjaoy, i would like to know if  the building of supergrid lower the electricity price ?