ELT - 280 - 1 Offshore Generation Cable Connections

WG B1.
40
technical brochure 610
Offshore Generation Cable Connections
Members
C. Jensen, Convenor (DK), T. Kvarts, Secretary (DK), P. Cavaleiro (PT),
L. R.S. Casals / E. Guix (ES), G. Dell’anna (IT), W. Frelin (FR), H. Heo (KR), F. Lesur (FR),
B. Mampaey (BE), S. Meijer (NL), E. Olsen (NO), P. O’Rourke (IE), H. Orton (CA),
R. Wilson (GB), T. Worzyk (SE), R. D. Zhang (DE)
Corresponding members
X. Feng (CN), O. Matsunaga (JP)
Introduction
Because of this expansion of the industry with many
In recent years the number and size of installed new developers, operators and decision makers, Cigré
offshore wind farms have increased rapidly and more and Study Committee B1 (SC B1) recognised the importance
larger farms are being planned. Other types of offshore of participating in broadening the understanding and
generation are expected to come in the near future, such knowledge of the special challenges related to offshore
as tidal and wave energy generation. Submarine cables are cable projects. The Technical Brochure (TB) is a guide for
and will be an essential part of this development where both experienced professionals, who have worked with
they are used as array cables between the generators, as submarine cables (design and/or installation) for years,
export cables to connect the offshore generation farms and for engineers with no or limited knowledge in this
with the onshore transmission grid and even as part of area. In addition, people working with consenting issues,
interconnections between different synchronous systems, authorities, consultants, investors, insurance companies
countries or price areas. and other stakeholders will benefit from the overview in •••
Figure 01 - Offshore wind farm
No. 280 - June 2015 ELECTRA 31

WG B1.40
this TB regarding challenges and possibilities in offshore conditions, e.g. water depth, current, sediment transport,
cable projects. wrecks and other assets like cables and pipes. To protect the
cables during their whole life time, they are normally buried
Scope into the seabed. The seabed and the soil conditions can be
found through geophysical and geotechnical surveys and
The scope of work presented in this TB includes the they may determine the burial method. The burial depth is
following main items: dependent of the soil conditions and the type of threats to
the cable.
• Initial studies and consenting process
• Choice of HVAC or HVDC technology Chapter 4 covers the overall system design, where different
• Submarine cable characteristics and cable rating topologies are discussed. One of the important choices to
• Cable installation make is the degree of redundancy. How many connections
• Cable service and maintenance from the offshore substation shall be made to the connection
• Export cables and array cables point onshore? What type of connections shall be in the
• Dynamic cables for floating generation or platforms. array grid? What is the right voltage level and what are the
losses in the different solutions? The choice between AC and
Above listed topics regarding submarine cables are treated, DC connection is discussed in this chapter.
so the document is a comprehensive guide to cables for
offshore generation and submarine cables generally. Many The power transmission in export cables from offshore
subjects are covered at a general level, and if the reader wants wind farms is very fluctuating, because the production
to go into detail, there are frequent references to other TBs. follows the fluctuating wind speed. In order not to design
the cables larger than necessary, some guidelines are given,
Interconnections between different countries, expressing how to translate an expected wind load into a
synchronous systems or price areas and eventually future load profile for the submarine cable. The load profile can be
offshore grid solutions can be treated as HVAC or HVDC used as a basis for rating calculation and used in the cable
export cables. design.
Description of the TB Chapter 5 discusses the submarine cable design; in

particular different types of conductors, insulation material,
The TB covers the main issues to be considered in screen etc. The function of the different layers is explained.
the planning, consenting, purchasing, installation and
maintenance process of submarine cable systems. Submarine cables deviate from land cables in more ways.
The submarine cables are normally placed in salt water for
Chapter 1 is a short introduction to the TB and how it their entire life time. AC submarine cables are normally
can be used. three-core cables, where land cables are single-core cables.
The submarine cables may be subject to relatively large
Chapter 2 contains definitions of abbreviations and terms, mechanical forces during cable laying and possible later
which are used in the TB or in the literature about submarine repair – depending on water depth. The submarine cables
cables and offshore work. must be designed to withstand these impacts.
Chapter 3 describes the initial studies and surveys which In this TB it is shown how MVAC, HVAC or HVDC
should be performed in an offshore cable project. These submarine cables can be designed. A number of examples
are often necessary when planning the cable routes and are included and some general recommendations given. The
preparing the consenting process. Compared with onshore objective is not to guide the cable designer, but to guide the
activities the offshore work is much more complicated. purchaser, consultant etc. and give a better understanding of
The basis in the discussion with authorities, with cable what to take into account in the design phase.
manufacturers and installation companies is the charts and
offshore surveys of the possible cable routes. In Chapter 6 the cable installation is discussed. This
chapter covers the planning process, the engineering of the
Authorities often require that the sea bed conditions are installation, the operational management and reporting and
studied and documented in order to assess the environmental a description of cable laying vessels and equipment.
impact. The environmental impact should be studied related
to installation work. Often, better knowledge results in When assets are installed offshore, the costs are significantly
“better conditions” attached to the permission. That is why higher compared to onshore installation and the repair
surveys are important in the first stage. cost in case of failure can be very high. Therefore it is very
important that all work is well prepared and follows best
Prior to installation of submarine cables it is very practice. Procedures for the different type of work should
important that there is a thorough knowledge of the seabed be agreed before starting installation or maintenance.•••

WG B1.40
Figure 02 - Installation of HVAC export cable
The TB does not describe specific procedures, but it draws Chapter 13 describes relevant examples and cases about
attention to the actions and procedures that should be made. offshore surveys and submarine cable connections to wind
farms.
Chapter 7 is about testing of submarine cable systems.
This chapter gives an understanding and an overview of tests Conclusions
relevant for submarine cables and makes references to other
TBs from Cigré and international standards. The TB gives an overview of the main issues related to
cable projects for connecting offshore power generation.
Chapter 8 covers the maintenance of submarine There is an introduction to geophysical and geotechnical
cable systems. Offshore installations are in a very severe surveys, which are of great importance for such projects.
environment and it might be necessary to make surveys System design and cable design are basic elements in offshore
on a regular basis to find out, if the submarine cable and generation projects. Installation and maintenance are
its accessories are in a good condition and e.g. still at the important to understand, to reduce risks and costs during
required burial depth. Terminations and other equipment the engineering phase. The TB has focused on offshore
above water can be checked with conventional methods, but wind farms, but the principles can also be applied to any
cables buried into the seabed need special equipment. submarine cable connection. Also, there is a separate chapter
describing dynamic cables, which are relevant for floating
Chapter 9 deals with submarine cables for offshore applications.
generation other than offshore wind turbines in shallow
water. There is focus on floating generation which demands Besides the technical descriptions, many illustrations and
the use of dynamic cables. Floating generation can be wind, photos have been included to make the TB easy to read and
wave or tide. Special mechanical requirements to dynamic understand. 
cables are discussed in this chapter.
Chapter 10 is a summary of information that should

be provided to companies offering offshore surveys or BROCHURE N° 610
companies offering delivery, installation or burial of
submarine cables. The chapter does not give a complete list (en anglais seulement)
of all possible requirements or all necessary information, (in English only)
but focus on the most basic decisions and information to be
provided in connection with tender processes related to this Disponible sur / Available on:
type of offshore work.
Chapter 11 gives a short summary of the Brochure and www.e-cigre.org

some conclusions.
Prix non-Membres / Non-Member Price:
Chapter 12 is the bibliography, which contains literature
covering more aspects than can be covered in this Brochure. 360 e
In the different chapters of the TB there are references to
Purchase (non-members)
the papers and reports mentioned in the first section of the Free download (members)
bibliography. Other papers, which are mentioned in the
second section of the bibliography, are for further reading.

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WG B1.

Figure 01 - Offshore wind farm

No. 280 - June 2015 ELECTRA 31

Description of the TB Chapter 5 discusses the submarine cable design; in

No. 280 - June 2015 ELECTRA 33

Figure 02 - Installation of HVAC export cable

Chapter 10 is a summary of information that should

Chapter 11 gives a short summary of the Brochure and www.e-cigre.org

No. 280 - June 2015 ELECTRA 35

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