{{Short description|HVDC underground power line in Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox power transmission line | name = Murraylink | photo = | caption = | map = {{maplink |type=line |frame=yes |plain=yes |frame-align=center |zoom=6}} | country = Australia | state = | province = | coordinates = {{Coord|34|17|37|S|142|14|20|E|type:landmark|name=Red Cliffs Static Inverter Plant}}<br/>{{Coord|34|14|17|S|140|36|01|E|type:landmark|name=Berri Static Inverter Plant}} | direction = | start = Berri, South Australia | through = | finish = Red Cliffs, Victoria | par = | owner = Energy Infrastructure Investment | partners = | operator = APA Group | cable_manufacturer = ABB | cable_installer = | cable_layer = | substation_manufacturer = | substation_installer = | contractors = | construction = | est = 2002 | decom = | type = underground cable | current_type = Light HVDC | length = 180 | capacity = 220 MW | AC_voltage = 132 kV (Berri)<br/>220 kV (Red Cliffs) | DC_voltage = ±150 kV | poles_no = 2 | circuits_no = }} '''Murraylink''' is an Australian high voltage direct current electricity transmission link between Berri, South Australia and Red Cliffs, Victoria, connecting the two state electricity grids. Murraylink was commissioned in 2002 and is believed to be the world's longest underground transmission system and cost more than A$177 million. It was built by TransEnergie Australia, a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec. It was sold to the APA Group in March 2006 for A$153 million. In December 2008 ownership of Murraylink (as well as Directlink) was transferred to the newly formed Energy Infrastructure Investments Group, while APA continued as the operator.<ref>[https://www.aer.gov.au/system/files/Directlink%20-%20amended%20cost%20allocation%20method.pdf Electricity Transmission Network Service Providers - Directlink and Murraylink amended Cost Allocation Methodologies - March 2010]</ref> The ownership of EII is APA with 19.9%, with the balance with Marubeni (49.9%) and Osaka Gas (30.2%).<ref>[https://www.apa.com.au/our-services/other-energy-services/electricity-transmission-interconnectors/ electricity interconnectors]</ref>
==Capacity == Murraylink consists of two {{convert|176|km|adj=on}} long bipolar HVDC cables.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/references/murraylink |title=Murraylink - The world's longest underground power transmission system. |publisher=ABB|accessdate=18 August 2019}}</ref> The circuit has an operating voltage of 150 kV and a transmission capacity of 220 megawatts. The link operates an "HVDC Light" voltage-source converter system, utilising insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), to convert electricity between alternating current and direct current.
While Murraylink is rated at 220MW, it is unable to operate at capacity during periods of high demand due to limitations in the transmission infrastructure at either end.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aer.gov.au/system/files/Murraylink%20-%20Proposed%20contingent%20project%20-%20May%202012.pdf |title=Contingent Project Proposal |publisher=Murraylink Transmission Company Pty Ltd |date=May 2012 |page=2 |accessdate=1 August 2017}}</ref> The limitations relate to thermal overload of transformers or transmission lines supplying the Riverland (for South Australia to Victoria transmission) and western Victoria (for Victoria to South Australia transmission).<ref>{{cite web |date=November 2017 |title=Interconnector Capabilities for the National Electricity Market |url=https://aemo.com.au/-/media/Files/Electricity/NEM/Security_and_Reliability/Congestion-Information/2017/Interconnector-Capabilities.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423121153/https://aemo.com.au/-/media/Files/Electricity/NEM/Security_and_Reliability/Congestion-Information/2017/Interconnector-Capabilities.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-23 |accessdate=24 April 2024 |publisher=Australian Energy Market Operator |pages=7–8}}</ref>
== Sites == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Site || Coordinates |- | Red Cliffs Static Inverter Plant || {{Coord|34|17|37|S|142|14|20|E|type:landmark|name=Red Cliffs Static Inverter Plant}} |- | Berri Static Inverter Plant || {{Coord|34|14|17|S|140|36|01|E|type:landmark|name=Berri Static Inverter Plant}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{GeoGroup}}
Category:HVDC transmission lines Category:Electric power transmission systems in Australia Category:Hydro-Québec Category:Electric power infrastructure in South Australia Category:Electric power infrastructure in Victoria (state) Category:2002 establishments in Australia Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2002
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