A Survey on Grid Connection and Integration of Offshore Wind Energy: Trends and Challenges

Offshore wind energy is a clean, endogenous and efficient renewable source (RES) which will play an important role for the energy transition in Europe. Grid connection and integration of offshore wind energy is critical from a Transmission System Operator (TSO) viewpoint since there is an urgent need for offshore transmission grid development while onshore RES development is in intensive progress. The additional offshore RES capacity must be securely connected to the onshore grid while the energy must be efficiently integrated into the energy interconnected system. The paper investigates general technoeconomic aspects on connection solutions and integration for medium-scale size offshore wind farms (OWFs) while the authors discuss challenges and trends in preliminary planning of grid connection infrastructure to the HV and EHV transmission grid, as well as integration aspects. Finally, the survey paper will provide cited references; recently published bibliography for further reading and discussion.