EXPORT CABLE OPTIMISATION FOR OFFSHORE

WIND FARMS
Simon Catmull
Project Engineer
12/06/2013

OUTLINE OF THE APPROACH TAKEN

THERMALLY CONSTRAINED LOCATIONS

CABLE OVERVIEW

Conductor
XLPE Insulation
Polypropylene Filler

Lead Sheath

Armouring

CURRENT DESIGN METHODOLOGY IEC60287

T1
T3

T2

T1

T4

T1
3

Wc

3 Wd

Wc=Conductor losses.
Wd=Dielectric losses.
Ws=Sheath losses.
Wa=Armour losses.

3 Wd

Ws

Wa

T1=Thermal resistance between conductor and sheath.

T2=Thermal resistance between sheath and armour.
T3=Thermal resistance between armour and outer serving.
T4=Thermal resistance between outer serving and burial.

Key Assumptions:
1.Its all concentric circles.
2.Burial depth is constant.

3. Thermal resistances are constant.

4. Current is constant at rated power.
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EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

MEASURED DATA

MODEL VALIDATION IN AIR

Initial Model

Interstices:
homogenised

Final Model

Discrete polypropylene bundles with air gaps became

volumes.

Semi-Conducting Screens:

Thermal resistivity initially identical to XLPE but adjusted to account for

heavy carbon doping.

Armour:

Armour losses reduced by 40%.

LANDFALL MODELLING

Buried Cable

Soil

APPLICATION OF RESULTS: SIZING & NUMBER OF CABLES

Cable Cost

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FURTHER WORK: J-TUBES / SANDWAVES

Bathymetry

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QUESTIONS?

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INSTRUMENTATION - THERMOCOUPLES

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INSTRUMENTATION DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSOR

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