European offshore power grid demonstration projects

European Commission is funding a number of offshore power grid demonstration projects under EEPR (European Energy Recovery Program) and 7th Framework Programme for RTD (FP7). This paper overviews some of the projects funded by EEPR: Kriegers Flak (Baltic Sea), Moray Firth HVDC Hub (North Sea, Northern Scotland), and Cobra Cable (Netherlands-Denmark connection). The rationale behind the proposed solutions is discussed together with political, economic and technical challenges that have to be overcome.