Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in the academic community. We look forward to seeing you there!
PO119: Use of EPR insulated array cables to enhance the 66kV technology lifespan
Dimitrios Kostopoulos, Engineering Manager MV submarine and array cables, Prysmian Powerlink S.p.A
Abstract
Increasing power output from Offshore wind turbines is key for the optimisation of CAPEX in offshore wind farms. Turbine power rating is on a continuous upward trend, from the 0.7MW of the first windfarm to the 14/15MW prototypes that will be deployed in the upcoming projects. This evolution drives a range of technological, operational, and logistical advances including, critically, the increase of the rated voltage of the inter-array cables (IAC). Increasing IAC voltage rating - as seen historically with the transition from 10kV to 33kV and later on from 33kV to the current 66kV - improves the efficiency of electricity collection, facilitates the deployment of larger more powerful turbines, reduces the amount of installed IAC cables hence lowers overall project cost and environmental impact. Market demand projections for the end of this decade and beyond, may trigger the deployment of even larger turbines with power ratings over 20 MW. This in turn may lead to the requirement of further stepping-up the IAC voltage rating from 66kV to 132 kV to ensure cost efficiency in designing the IAC grid and substation platform. Nevertheless, timing and cost efficiency are both crucial for the success of this transition. At the moment the industry as a whole is not ready yet due to different gaps in the supply chain e.g. insulation materials for wet designs with high design electrical stress, testing and qualification standards, installation and commissioning procedures etc. At the same time, it is not clear from which turbine and project power rating onwards the use of 132 kV becomes imperative. The objective of this paper is to study the limits of application of 66 kV technology focusing on IAC with Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) insulation.
