Responsibility
THE CLAIM: SUSTAINABILITY
CONSIDERATION FOR PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT, ANIMAL AND SOIL PROTECTION
Amprion sees itself as a sustainable company. The protection of people and nature is a high priority for us. That is why it is important to us in all projects that the construction and subsequent operation of the line minimise the impact on people, animals and the environment. In doing so, we always comply with the legal requirements at state, federal and EU level, and in some cases go beyond them. Among other things, we take special noise control measures when installing the converter platforms out at sea to protect the very acute hearing of marine animals such as the harbour porpoise.
When laying power cables in the Wadden Sea National Park, we adhere strictly to the prescribed construction time frames in order to minimise the impact on flora and fauna. In addition, we rely on a construction method that is as soil-friendly as possible, which is ideally suited to the nature of the respective subsoil and restores the original soil conditions as far as possible.
WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS?
Wherever current flows, magnetic and electric fields are generated. In the case of direct current, these are fields that remain constant over time (“static fields” or “direct fields”); in the case of alternating current, they are pulsating fields that change regularly over time (“alternating fields”).
An electric field is caused by the voltage present between two points. Electric fields arise wherever electrical appliances are connected to the power supply. Household appliances such as coffee machines and microwaves are surrounded by an electric field, as are extra-high voltage cables. However, they do not “emit” an electric field: the wire screen keeps it entirely in the cable.
A magnetic field is caused by the flow of a current. Whenever you switch on your hairdryer or computer, a magnetic field is generated in addition to the electric field. It surrounds the appliance and the conductor through which the current flows. This magnetic field is measured in microtesla.
Magnetic fields also occur in nature. The best known is the earth’s natural magnetic field, which surrounds us everywhere and at all times. It is a constant field. In Germany, it measures roughly 50 microtesla. It reaches far into space and protects the earth from cosmic radiation.
In Germany, precise threshold values are stipulated for electric and magnetic fields, which the operators of power supply systems must comply with. These threshold values are designed to protect against adverse health effects. For each of our construction projects – whether for an overhead line, an underground cable connection or a substation – we are obliged to comply with all legal requirements and threshold values. This is the only way to obtain authorisation for the project in question from the relevant authority.
The threshold values for electric and magnetic fields generated by electrical assets were defined by the legislator in 2013 in the amended version of the 26th Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (26. BImSchV). For the magnetic DC fields of DC systems, the 26. BImSchV stipulates compliance with a ceiling of 500 microtesla for places places for permanent and temporary residence of people in the area of exposure (as defined by the Joint Federal/State working group on immission control). This corresponds to roughly ten times the level of the natural geomagnetic field in Germany. We will fall far below these threshold values in our projects.
Further information on laying underground cables can be found here.
