European technology leadership to address infrastructure bottlenecks Presentation tot&d and Smart Grids Europe 2012 Dr. Volker Wendt, Director Public Affairs Amsterdam, 10 October 2012 Europacable, Boulevard A. Reyers, 80 1030 Brussels www.europacable.com 1
Introducing Europacable HV & EHV Members: Associated Member: Voice of the European wire & cable industry at EU Level Provide clear, consistent, technical information Engage with all interested parties Founded in 1991 Member companies & National Associations SME s & multinationals representing approx. 85% of Europe s wire and cable industry 20 billion wire & cable consumption 2009 (International Cable Federation, January 2011) 2,2 million tonnes insulated metallic cable production at conductor 2009; equalling some 38 million km of cables produced in Europe Registered with EU Institutions: 453103789-92 European technology leadership 2
Need for more electricity infrastructure 3
4
2 Speed Development in Europe Key challenge: increasing imbalance between the push for green generation and the infrastructure to support it Slow Motion Transmission vs. High Speed Generation 5
Risks if we fail to equilibrate speeds Failed efforts to mitigate climate change Ongoing dependence on energy imports Europe falling behind in global competition for cutting edge green technology Stranded assets leaving significant investments in renewable energy sources in a dead end Europe needs more grids: 1. Short-term upgrading of existing meshed 380 kv AC network 2. Mid / long-term creation of additional HVDC overlay grid 6
1) Short Term: Upgrading 380kV AC Networks Europacable Concept of Partial Undergrounding Partial undergrounding complementing overhead lines in sensitive areas Sections upto 20 km possible without compensation Facilitates grid extensions due to higher acceptance Limited, manageable environmental and visual impact Higher investement costs can be neutralised due to accelerated project realisation 7
Core Technology: EHV XLPE Cables Joint Paper ENTSO-E & Europacable, January 2011 Extra high voltage cross linked polyethylene cable XLPE are mature & reliable technology Partial undergrounding is a means to upgrade & expand Europe s EHV electricity grid Solutions are to be considered on a case-by-case basis EHV XLPE Availability AC Cables installation globally since 2000: High Voltage: > 200,000 km Extra High Voltage: > 10,000 km 2011 production capacity increased by 40% compared to 2008 It works! 8
2) Mid/long-term: Creation of HVDC overlay grid Current state of debate Increasing call for overlay net Various concepts Often false perception of HVDC = underground cable Key Approach: ehighways 2050 lead by ENTSO-E: Planning for European Electricity Highways to ensure the reliable delivery of renewable electricity and Pan-European market integration 9
Core technology HVDC Cables: Subsea / land use Single core mass impregnated cables In service more than 40 years, currently the most used, highly reliable Voltages up to +/- 600 kv and 1800 A DC (= maximum pole rating of 1100 MW and bipole rating of 2200 MW) Typical conductor sizes up to 2500 mm 2 Polymeric cables, e.g. XLPE: Only used in Voltage Source Converters that allow to reverse power flow without reversing the polarity To date this technology has only been applied up to +/- 200 kv (400 MW) Projects under construction with +/- 320 kv (800 MW & 1000 MW) It is expected to increase the voltage and power in the near future Transport efficiency: HVDC can safely transport high power loads over long distances with minimal losses 10
HVDC Underground Cables Essentials Logistical constraints limit cables length to 1,000 m Directly buried or installed in tunnels, ducts Typically installed in circuit comprimising 2 cables Apart from deeply rooted trees, no limitation to cultivation including farming EMF: no risk to human health Minimum life expectancy: 40 years No evidence based data available on long term reliability but compliance with CIGRE 219 Cost factor: 2 3 compared to HVDC overhead line Long distance point-to- point interconnectors, e.g. France Spain INELFE: 2 circuits 2000 MW, +/- 320 kv, 4 cables 64 km each (under construction since 2011) 11
HVDC Subsea Cables Essentials Interconnection between countries or islands separated by sea: Spain- Mallorca, San Francisco Bay etc. Connect offshore plattforms to main transmission grids: BorWin 2 Project Installation vessels can carry upto 7,000 tons which typically results in about 100 KM cable length Subsea cable laying: Shallow waters (max 500 m): mandatory burial to protect against damage Deep water (500 2000m): simply laid onto the seabed (less costly) Repair almost always due to external mechanical damage very complex & costly Strictly local and very limited environmental impacts High reliability level required due to repair costs & significance of line no failures for MI cables 1990-2005 12
HVDC 2 limitations Cost of HVDC Converter Stations Converter stations - whether for land or sea application - entail significant investment costs These need to be considered when seeking to integrate a DC link into the existing meshed AC systems on land or when adding sea links to land systems Current non-availability of Switchgear Creation of wider HVDC grid system is today limited by the non-availability of circuit breakers, so called Switchgear Circuit breakers secure the operation of the meshed HVDC system The development of this circuit breaker technology is the final phase In the meanwhile, HVDC links may only serve as long distance pointto-point connections: electricity highways without exits 13
Conclusions Europe s future grid needs to be reliable, affordable & publicly acceptable Short Term: Partial undergrounding of AC projects Proven cable technology Can accelerate project completion at neutral overall costs Mid/ long-term: HVDC Overlay Net onshore & offshore Proven cable technology System components (switchgears) will become available and affordable experiences are yet to be gained Opportunity for European Wire & Cable Industry to demonstrate its global technology leadership in home market 14
Many thanks! Europacable The invisible link Volker Wendt v.wendt@europacable.com Europacable, Boulevard A. Reyers, 80-1030 Brussels www.europacable.com 15