Danish cable manufacturer NKT has qualified a new 525 kV HVDC subsea power cable system for continuous operation at conductor temperatures of up to 90°C, opening the door to higher transmission capacity from the same class of infrastructure.

 

The extruded XLPE system can use the higher operating temperature to carry more power, reduce the amount of material required or improve overall system efficiency, depending on the project configuration.

 

The upgrade centres on a redesigned insulation system, with new material used in the inner and outer semiconductive layers. The material, known as LE0650DC, was developed with NKT’s long-term partner Borouge International, formerly Borealis.

 

NKT said the 90°C technology has been qualified for both onshore and offshore applications at voltage levels of up to 525 kV, including associated cable accessories.

 

The development comes as 525 kV systems take an increasingly prominent place in NKT’s offshore transmission orderbook.

 

Earlier this year, NKT signed contracts worth around €2bn with SSEN Transmission for 525 kV HVDC systems connecting the Western Isles and Spittal to Peterhead in Scotland. The two links have capacities of 1.8 GW and 2 GW respectively and are scheduled for commissioning in 2030.

 

NKT has also secured a contract worth more than €2.2bn for the 680 km Eastern Green Link 3 connection between Scotland and England, another project based on 525 kV HVDC technology. The company has not indicated that the newly qualified 90°C configuration will be used on either of these projects.

 

SOURCE: Splash TECH

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