Prysmian solutions for the expansion of energy grids

“One of the major challenges of the future is the reliable feed and transmission of renewable energy. We are experiencing a decentralization of energy generation, and are addressing this transition on all levels with our products. HVDC cable connections are an environmentally compatible alternative to overhead lines. We also focus on high-, medium- and low-voltage cables for energy distribution to domestic households as well as on cables for connecting on- and offshore wind parks to the electricity grids”, explained Hans Koch, Chief Commercial Officer of Prysmian Group Germany. Prysmian Group’s energy cables for various voltage levels are equipped with innovative technologies such as intelligent monitoring and data-transmission systems for continuous network monitoring.

Prysmian Group presented its innovations from the field of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, including mass-impregnated 700 kV MI-PPL and 600 kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable systems. The increased voltage from 525 kV to 600 kV and 700 kV for HVDC cable systems enables up to 15 percent increase in electricity transmission capacity and improves grid reliability.

At the Integrated Energy Plaza, Prysmian Group also presented the P-Laser technology, marking the world’s first fully recyclable, environmentally friendly HVDC cable system. The state-of-the-art technology featuring a thermoplastic material developed in-house by Prysmian is produced in a continuous process and does not require any chemical reactions to achieve the properties necessary to ensure the long-term electrical integrity of HVDC insulation. This provides for a more efficient and ecologically compatible cable production than conventional VPE cables. At 3.5 GW per bipole, Prysmian Group also achieves the highest rated power to-date. “Successful testing at a voltage of 600 kV proves the quality and robustness of the P-Laser insulation technology, offering a competitive alternative to the cross-linked polymers insulation materials currently used”, said Hans Koch.

Visitors to the Hanover Trade Fair also had the chance to learn about the new Prysmian technology for facility maintenance and status monitoring. The company presented PRY-CAM, a mobile and wireless online measuring device for partial discharge that will fundamentally change status monitoring and electronic facility management. The system unites partial-discharge measurement and status-evaluation data that can be accessed remotely from the cloud and processed via an app. PRY-CAM systems offer monitoring in real time, remote-access monitoring and processing as well as data protection, storage and analysis, and can serve the requirements of different smart energy grids.

Prysmian Group exhibited at the Hanover trade fair in hall 27, booth H50. Furthermore, on April 25, 2017, Hans Koch presented Prysmian’s solutions for network management on stage at a panel discussion at the Integrated Energy Plaza.