Failure mechanisms and reliability factors for submarine cable failures

Abstract

Submarine power cables are one of the biggest contributors to power source failures in offshore farms, causing financial losses. The published literature partially covers submarine cable failures, cable type and offshore wind-farm conditions. This paper aims to consolidate this information and enhance existing failure rate data and is targeted at improving insurance risk management approaches for offshore wind power cables. In the first part, this paper reviews the failure modes and mechanisms, causes, reliability factors affecting submarine power cable failures, and the impact of cable failure on the cost of wind farm projects, insurance claims, and operational downtime. The second section of this paper is devoted to data analysis, exploring failure rate movements and relationships between different features to gain an understanding of the reliability of offshore wind farm submarine power cables. Prospective outcomes comprise the relationship between cable failure rates and installation features to lessen the probability of failure.