What underground cables can and can not do: Introducing the Concept of Partial Undergrounding

Meeting organised by Marian Harkin, MEP North East Pylon Pressure Dr. Volker Wendt, Director Public Affairs, Europacable

Trim, 10 February 2014

Europacable, Boulevard A. Reyers, 80 1030 Brussels

www.europacable.com

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Introducing Europacable Objectives of today‘s presentation

Introducing Europacable: What we do and what we don´t do

Introducing the Europacable Concept of Partial Undergrounding

Overview of partial undergrounding deployment in Europe

What are the challenges ahead?

Discussion: Clarification of any technical questions you may have

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Europacable represents approx. 85% of the European wire and cable manufacturers in Brussels

Globally leading, multinational cable makers and specialized SMEs Data-, Telecommunication- & Energy-cable technology Environmental topics EU & international standardisation

Objective Provide clear, consistent technical information to all interested parties in a fully transparent manner Raise visibility of European technology leadership

Introduction

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Europacable does NOT take any view whether or not a line is needed does NOT take any position on the technology to be used to construct a line

Europacable

does provide the exact same technical information on extra high voltage XLPE power transmission cables (AC and DC) to all interested parties seeks to contribute to an informed discussion based on today´s state of the art technology available in Europe

Introduction

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2012 ENTSO-E TYNDP

51.500 km EHV power lines to be built/refurbished by 2020

70% of new investments forecast in North Sea Region

But: Risk of delays

30% of current grid projects across Europe are delayed

75% of projects in North Sea Region are classified as medium or high risk of not meeting the planned commissioning date

How do we minimise delays?

mainly due to “social resistance & lengthy permitting procedures”

we need innovative solutions!

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The Challenge: Europe needs more grids

Europacable Concept of Partial Undergrounding Essentials for 380 / 400 kV AC Networks

Most of Europe‘s new grids will be overhead lines

It‘s not „overhead lines against underground cables“

but

„Partial undergrounding complementing overhead lines in sensitive areas“

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Europacable Concept of Partial Undergrounding Essentials of 380/400kV Partial Undergrounding

Sections upto around 20km possible without compensation

Allows for alternative, possibly shorter routing

Limited, manageable environmental and visual impact

Ability to be integrated into existing meshed AC networks

Higher investment costs may be neutralised due to quicker realisation

Core technology: Extra High Voltage Cross Linked Polyethylene Underground Cables – in short: EHV XLPE Underground Cables

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Joint Paper on feasibility of partial undergrounding, 2011

EU Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E) & Europacable

Co-ordinated by European Commission DG Energy

Approves EHV XLPE cable technology

“Extra high voltage cross linked polyethylene cable XLPE are mature and 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”

Key reference for EHV XLPE underground cables

Available at www.europacable.com

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EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts

EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts

Laying of EHV XLPE Cables

Usually directly buried into the ground, surrounded by sand blending, can also be installed in tunnels, ducts or pipes

Average laying depth: 1,60 m

Average cable length: 700 – 1000 meters

Cables are linked by joint bays Directly buried in the ground, surrounded only by sand blending; or

Placed in underground structure, typically 10m by 2.5m by 2.1m depth

Considerable work required during installation

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EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts

Environmental impact

Installation works represent considerable impact on the environment

Vegetation will be re-installed after 1 – 2 seasons

Limited impact during operation No drying of soil

No limitation to cultivation apart from deeply rooted trees

No limitation on agriculture – need to introduce compensation schemes

Cable section will be visible if cutting through forest – but will blend into open landscape

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EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts Electromagnetic Exposure

EMF over cable at full load may be higher than for overhead line but drops quicker on the sides, taking less space

Shielding technologies available – at higher cost

As for overhead lines, exposure to EMF stays well within limit of EU Recommendation 199/519/EC

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EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts Reliability

Complete cable systems undergo thorough test procedures (IEC Standards) after production, after installation and before being placed in operation

Once in ground, cables are well protected against external impacts

XLPE underground cables are reliable technology

Repairs

Single faults on cable may take longer to repair than on overhead line - repair times on larger systems are comparable

CIGRE Brochure 379: Over 1/3 of cable faults were repaired and system re-energised within less than 1 week

More than 75% of cable faults within 1 months

Keeping spare parts is critical

N-1 Criterion ensures security of supply at all times

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EHV XLPE Cables – Key facts

Costs of partial undergrounding

Investment cost factor for 400 kV XLPE cables is 3 – 10 dependent on project details and soil conditions (up to 60%)

3 – 10 cost multiple applies to undergrounded section only

Cost factor for investment for entire line project will be 1.2 – 2

Speedier realisation will reduce or may even neutralise investment cost

Life cycle costs of project are to be considered

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EHV XLPE Cables – State of the Art

AC XLPE cables in use

More than 25 years commercial experience at HV levels (110-150 kV)

More than 20 years commercial experience at EHV level (220 – 275 kV)

More than 15 years experience at EHV level (380 – 400 kV)

AC XLPE cables installation globally since 2000

High Voltage: > 200.000 km

Extra High Voltage: > 10,000 km

EHV XLPE Availability

40% capacity increase from 2008 to 2011

Annual capacity for Europe alone is about 3.500 KM

Global technology leadership of European manufacturers

It works!

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TenneT: Randstadt Project, The Netherlands

Total length: 85 km linking Rotterdam, Amsterdam & The Hague

Double circuit 380kV, transmission capacity 2x2635 MVA

Twofold innovation

New pylon design for overhead line „Windtrack“

Partial undergrounding on total of 20km: Southern section: 10,8 km undergrounding operational since Sept 2013

Northern section: 9,5 km undergrounding to be built 2015 - 2017

Partial undergrounding – Deployment in Europe

Projects currently in construction / in planning:

TenneT: EnLAG projects, Germany ca. 6 km Dörpen / West Meppen, in planning

ca. 7 km Fedderwahren – Conneforde, permitting phase

ca. 12 km Gannderkeese – St. Hülfe, permitting phase

ca. 8 – 10 km Wahle-Mecklar, permitting phase

Amprion: 7 km, Rasfeld, Germany

Swissgrid: 1 km, Riniken, Switzerland

RTE: over 1000 km cables 225 kV, France

National Grid: £500 Million Fund to undergrounding existing 400kV overhead lines in National Parks, UK

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Partial undergrounding – Deployment in Europe

Conclusions

Partial undergrounding is available

Each project needs to be carefully evaluated on a case by case basis

Requires new thinking, creates new possibilities for reliable, acceptable and affordable grid extension in Europe

Need to create reliable framework for local communities & TSOs

When to deploy partial undergrounding – and when not?

How to consider partial undergrounding from the outset of permitting procedures?

How to avoid a limitation of cost considerations to installation cost only but to consider full life cycle cost – including possible effects of acceleration?

Different member states are currently pursuing different approaches

We should aim for a harmonised approach across Europe

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Thank you for your attention!

Dr. Volker Wendt, Director Public Affairs

v.wendt@europacable.com

Europacable, Boulevard A. Reyers, 80 - 1030 Brussels

www.europacable.com