Introduction
Increasing demand for electricity in modern society is forcing transmission (system) operators to invest more in the development of new power lines (overhead lines or cables) with increased transmission capacity. The use of AC lines with greater capacity would pose significant problems, because transmission losses would be high.
The development of HVDC transmission systems has thus become increasingly important in recent years, as these systems can transmit large amounts of power over long distances with minor losses. Underground power cables are one of the technologies used in more and more applications.
An obvious use of HVDC cables is for submarine applications. Submarine power cables are used to connect offshore installations, such as production platforms in the oil & gas sector or substation platforms in the offshore wind sector, to the mainland grids.
Although the cables account for just a small percentage of the total investments in the required equipment, failure would result in high costs relating to lost production and repair. Given the potential costs, investors want to mitigate risks. Despite the existence of various standards, guidelines and recommendations, there is no overall quality standard for the cabling process from start to finish. The design, manufacturing, testing and commissioning of a submarine cable must therefore be carefully implemented, including quality assurance and quality control in each phase.
This five day course will address and highlight the entire HVDC submarine cable life cycle, providing participants with a holistic view and sound understanding of HVDC submarine power cables and their accessories. It will also include an overview of the risks during the various phases of an HVDC project.
Your benefits
■ An understanding of the parameters which differentiate submarine cables from land underground cables
■ An understanding of the reasons for and benefits of using HVDC submarine power cables
■ An understanding of the most important parameters during the design and commissioning of HVDC submarine cables
■ Knowledge of the methods to mitigate the possibility of failures
■ Insight into how to develop your set of requirements, methods and techniques.
For whom?
This course is designed for engineers and other staff from companies with an interest in improving the quality of HVDC submarine cables, including: cable manufacturers, cable installers, offshore energy project developers, TSOs and DSOs, energy utilities, energy project investors, insurance companies, investors, etc. We assume that participants have a general knowledge of power cable theory, manufacturing, installation, testing and operation. A Bachelor of Engineering degree is recommended.