ABB develops underground and subsea power transmission cable system

ABB, a Switzerland-based company dealing with power and automation technology, has announced its latest innovation – a 525kV underground and subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system.

The latest technology will almost double the power capacity to about 2,600 MW from 1,000 MW as well as extend the cable’s reach to distances from 1,000km to 1,500km, whilst keeping transmission losses below 5%.

Further, the new innovation also provides a 64% increase over 320 kV, which is presently the highest voltage deployed for this kind of technology.

The 525kV cable system can be deployed in subsea as well as underground applications, thereby making it suitable for efficient power delivery even through densely populated or environmentally sensitive regions.

By allowing more power over greater distances, ABB’s new cable technology offers solutions for countries and utilities that require their electricity transmission systems to integrate more renewable energy generated by far away wind and solar installations.

For instance, a single pair of 525 kV extruded HVDC cables can transmit enough power from giant offshore wind farms to cater to two million households, the company claimed.

The cable system comprises cables that use a new DC cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation material developed with Borealis, claimed to be an industry leader, as well as termination and joints, which have been manufactured by ABB.

ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer said: "This major technology breakthrough will change the feasibility of renewable energy projects and play a defining role in using underground and subsea high voltage cables to integrate renewables over long distances."

ABB will showcase the new 525kV extruded HVDC cable system at the Cigré technology symposium in Paris, from 25-29 August, 2014.