Swiss power technology firm ABB has developed and tested a 525kV underground and subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system, which the company claims will make renewable energy installations more efficient and cost-effective.

The technology, which features high-voltage power cables, joints and terminations, will increase the power capacity of cable connections to around 2.6GW from 1GW.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The reach of the lines will be extended to 1,500km, up from less than 1,000km, with transmission losses of just below 5%.

The new extruded cable system offers a 64% increase, when compared to 320kV lines, currently the highest voltage deployed.

The technology, which uses a new polyethylene insulation material, will allow countries and utilities to integrate more renewable energy being generated by distant solar and wind installations.

“The new extruded cable system offers a 64% increase.”

ABB said that a single pair of 525kV extruded HVDC cables could transmit enough power from giant offshore wind farms for around two million households.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData

Tick here to opt out of curated industry news, reports, and event updates from Power Technology.

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

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.”

The company said it will present the system at the Cigré technology symposium in Paris, France, this month.

ABB has commissioned more than 25 DC cable connections and approximately 100 AC cable links globally.

Image: ABB’s 525kV high-voltage direct current cable system. Photo: courtesy of ABB.