DCDYNAMIC

accelerating DC DYNAMIC cable technology for sustainable european electricity grid

Offshore wind generation is essential for achieving the European Green Deal and the broader EU ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050. A third of the installed offshore capacity could be floating, which can take advantage of wind in deeper waters farther from shore.
To connect these floating wind farms to the power grid, we need reliable cables that can work in the challenging conditions of the European continental shelf, like the North Sea, where water depths range from an average of 95 metres to as much as 700 metres. Although high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable technology is well established and used for long-distance power transmission, the large-scale manufacturing and supply of dynamic cables required for the interconnection of offshore floating systems has not been developed yet. Dynamic cables currently use alternating current (AC) and operate at lower voltages (33 kV and 66 kV), which are not sufficient for future needs. The absence of dynamic HVDC export cables is seen as a major hurdle for the development of floating offshore wind energy.

HVDC dynamic cables for floating offshore applications present unique challenges, including technical, environmental, operational, and economical factors. To tackle these complex issues, this project brings together a team of academic experts, manufacturers, end users, and insurance advisors. The project will (i) ensure the insulation reliability of a new dynamic HVDC export cable, (ii) gain a fundamental understanding of how combined electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses affect the cables over time, aiding the creation of testing methods to confirm their durability, (iii) explore sustainable material options for the cables to meet the EU’s circular economy goals, and (iv) apply the technical insights to minimise risks and boost confidence in the new cable technology, improving its insurability and financial feasibility. Ultimately, a 320 kV dynamic HVDC export cable prototype will be designed, produced, and tested.