Dynamic HV cables with AL conductors for floating offshore wind turbines: a cost and behavior comparative study

Abstract

Floating Offshore Wind installations require high-voltage dynamic power cables to transmit the electricity generated from the devices to the offshore substation, before being exported to the onshore grid. High integrity, yet cost effective cable solutions are needed for this purpose. Whilst copper is the conventional choice of material due to its lower resistive losses, aluminium cores are increasingly being proposed for static power cables applications due to their reduced cost and weight. In this work, a comparative analysis of these two options in terms of costs and performance is presented. A numerical model evaluating the expected cable effective tensions and bending stresses, coupled with an aero-elastic and hydrodynamic model of a floating wind platform, is used to define the ultimate load conditions for various configurations. Results show the feasibility of cables with aluminium conductors for low weight, low cost and deep water applications, highlighting the advantages for floating offshore wind projects.