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Innovative Cables

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Advanced Technologies for Future Transmission Grids

Part of the book series: Power Systems ((POWSYS))

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Abstract

This chapter deals with a whole range of cables and their accessories which make up the transmission system for both HVAC (high-voltage alternate current) and HVDC (high-voltage direct current) applications. Aspects related to the technical performances of innovative underground cables and their impact on the transmission system are discussed as well.

Underground and submarine cables have been in use since the early stages of electricity transmission. HVAC underground transmission cable technology finds its application in urban and suburban densely populated areas, in submarine connections and, in general, where the implementation of overhead lines is difficult or impossible.

The advantages of underground cable systems are that they have a reduced impact on the territory and a limited occupation of the soil. Cables are installed out of sight, underground in tunnels, or under water. Terminal ends are often the only visible evidence of an underground cable’s presence.

Traditionally transmission system operators were giving preference to the overhead lines mainly for economical reasons, but the scenarios are changing due to environmental and public opinion pressures. There are also some technical aspects that will be considered inside this chapter.

The development of the power cable technology is a rather slow process; mature technologies are generally preferred by stakeholders due to their reduced impact on risk management and the consideration of high investment costs of the transmission assets.

Thanks to the efforts of the cable industry in the recent years, a solid dielectric transmission cable, featuring the XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulation, is now available. This technology is simple, and requires a lower level of workmanship, handling, and maintenance, especially due to the fact that prefabricated accessories (joints and terminations) are available.

It is expected that the adoption of this type of cable will give a strong input to the realization of HVAC and HVDC underground transmission lines in the near future (see Synthetic description of performances and benefits of undergrounding transmission, E. Zaccone REALISEGRID Deliverable D1.1.1, Dec. 2009, http://realisegrid.erse-web.it).

Submarine cables are suitable for the interconnection between regions across sea, with islands, and for the connection of offshore plants (either wind farms or oil platforms). Different from land connections, cables are the only technically feasible option for the realization and implementation of these submarine projects.

Particular consideration is made to the possibility to realize large transmission infrastructures or power highways by adoption of the new HVDC cable technologies.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave represents the change of the amplitude of wave traveling along the transmission line.

  2. 2.

    The characteristic impedance Zc is the ratio of the voltage and the current at any point for an infinitely long line.

  3. 3.

    The source impedance Zs is the impedance that appears to an high frequency step wave. This is equivalent to the impedance of an infinitely long transmission line.

  4. 4.

    The rating of underground cables is not the same of the rating of the overhead lines since two cable circuits might be necessary in order to carry the same power of one overhead line.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prysmian, Milan, Italy

    Ernesto Zaccone

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  1. Ernesto Zaccone
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Correspondence to Ernesto Zaccone .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico, via Rubattino 54, Milano, 20134, Italy

    Gianluigi Migliavacca

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Zaccone, E. (2013). Innovative Cables. In: Migliavacca, G. (eds) Advanced Technologies for Future Transmission Grids. Power Systems. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4549-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4549-3_2

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