Prysmian Group, a world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, has launched two new 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable technologies for more efficient, reliable and eco-friendly power transmission.

The cable systems are designed at a higher voltage level and with large conductor cross-sections to provide optimal technical solutions for long-distance high power transmission with minimised land use.

The new 525 kV extruded land cable systems have undergone a year of qualification testing in accordance with international standards.

One of these systems features P-Laser, the first 100 per cent recyclable eco-friendly high-performance cable technology that utilises a ‘zero-gas’ process which reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 30 per cent. The other new product is an XLPE qualified cable system, which uses a new insulation compound specific for HVDC application.

Both technologies have also successfully passed type tests at 600 kV and represent the next-generation solutions for land cable systems that underpin Prysmian Group’s ability to provide reliable systems for the challenges of power transmission.

“This new milestone is a significant step forward for power transmission systems and the development of innovative and sustainable cable solutions in the industry,” says Hakan Ozmen, executive vice-president of projects business unit, Prysmian Group.

P-Laser is fully compatible with existing HVDC cables and accessories and is backed by over 30,000 km manufacturing experience in other types of power cable networks. It employs a Prysmian in-house developed material, called HPTE (high-performance thermoplastic elastomer) with proven enhanced characteristics, namely increased thermal performance, higher intrinsic reliability and greater productivity, making it the best solution for HVDC transmission lines at the highest voltage levels, says Ozmen.

Ozmen says the 525 kV cable systems can be an effective solution for the planned German HVDC Corridor projects, providing the TSOs (TenneT, 50 Hz, TransnetBW and Amprion) with two proven technologies able to connect the wind generation-rich regions of northern Germany to the major consumption areas in the south, reducing the required land usage and ensuring a lower environmental impact.

Prysmian is playing a key role in the connection of German offshore wind farms to the mainland, having supplied and installed multiple turnkey HVDC and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) systems across the German waters, with a track record of 4,100 km of HVDC submarine and land cables and more than 1,000 installed cable accessories.

“Prysmian Group has a long-standing experience in a wide range of applications, and has been at the forefront of HVDC cable technology. We are committed to long-term leadership in the high-voltage and submarine cables market. We are focusing our research and development (R&D) efforts to develop reliable materials and process technologies to address our customers’ needs in this area,” says Srinivas Siripurapu, executive vice-president and chief R&D officer, Prysmian Group.