The Project That Wants To Fix Europe’s Exponential Demand For Energy
The Nemo Link team is making strides in helping energy flow bi-directionally between two countries, opening the doors for more efficient distribution. This guarantees a highly reliable supply at better prices in two of the most energy-demanding countries in Europe, the UK and Belgium.
Changing the world isn’t an easy task. There are only a handful of people who posess the drive and energy to create disruptive ideas, and go on to execute them without fear. Ernest Nkusi has that kind of energy. He is the mastermind and technical project lead behind one of the initiatives which are creating a better world for future generations: Siemens Energy’s Nemo Link. This technical innovation is interconnecting the electrical power grids of the UK and Belgium, providing a more reliable and efficient supply for everyone.
Powering the world
The goal of providing people with safe and reliable electricity is Nkusi’s mission, and if Nemo Link is anything to go by, this technology could have a huge impact around the world. According to the most recent statistics from the World Bank around 940 million people do not have access to electricity; 13% of the world’s population.
The Nemo Link long-distance connection is possible thanks to a colossal 140-kilometer submarine cable extended across the English Channel. By connecting facilities at either end with Siemens Energy’s HVDC PLUS technology, bidirectional energy exchange with minimal energy losses is suddenly a reality.
Prioritizing Safety
Conceived with people at its core, the project didn’t just focus on energy consumption benefits for households. During its construction, the project leaders made safe working environments for all employees involved a top priority.
We paid special attention to safety. We asked all the workers to have their children draw a picture of their parents working in a safe environment so that they would reflect on their behavior every day
Tom Clauwaert, project leader in Belgium
The obsession with safety during the construction is one of the key aspects of Nemo Link. For Nkusi, who led and coordinated its progress from Germany, the focus on employee wellbeing and safety emphasized the core idea of creating a better world; not just for the consumers using the energy, but in the working practices of the businesses making this possible. This was acknowledged when Siemens Energy received the Sword of Honor from the British Safety Council for its excellent safety standards during the construction phase of this project.
Today, Nemo Link is a perfect example for the energy transmission over long distances. Its influence has been proved already with spinoff developments such as Viking Link, which interconnects the electricity system of the United Kingdom and Denmark.
“Everything you do in life has a purpose. Nemo Link aims to create a reliable and sustainable energy landscape for the future,” says Clauwaert.
