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PAGE 6
U N D E R G R O U N D C A B L E R AT I N G
NATIONAL
GRID MODELS
UNDERGROUND
CABLE ROUTES
The use of simulation to accurately predict the
rating of underground electric cables within
clear safety margins is enabling National Grid
to maximize output, ensure reliability, and keep
costs as low as possible.
By JENNIFER HAND
»»RATING CHALLENGES
MOST TRANSMISSION and distribution networks use standards
issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) and supported by the International Council on Large
Electric Systems (CIGRE), to work out the rating of a cable
— the maximum load it can support while remaining within
temperature limits and avoiding potential damage. Figure 1. A section of a high-voltage cable system in a tunnel (top) and
buried (bottom).
»»
Engineers at TDHVL work
closely with National Grid THERMAL AND
and undertake finite element ELECTRICAL PROFILING
analysis (FEA) with the FOR NATIONAL GRID the result
COMSOL Multiphysics® of this modeling work is a
software. Focusing new outlook, particularly for
primarily on heat transfer, rating cables that lie close
they first validated the together and optimizing the
ratings of particular types configuration of new cable
of cables, and then began routes. Close proximity
to analyze cable ratings at between cables can impede
Figure 2. Simulation results in COMSOL® software of the thermal specific “pinch points” in heat loss, lead to a rise in the
profile of cable laid directly in soil. isolation and for different temperature of both cables,
environments (see Figure 2). and reduce their current-
For example, when carrying capacity. However,
David Scott, network mapping engineer, looks after
soil is wet heat dissipates sometimes assessments
overhead and buried cable capabilities at National Grid’s
relatively quickly. Dry are overly cautious and
Asset Integrity Department. He explains, “The testing of
soil is more resistant due
high-voltage systems is not the easiest business. These can result in unnecessary
to the presence of small
cables are up to 165 feet [50 meters] underground and costs in the form of extra
air pockets, which limits
exist in the context of a larger system, not in isolation. The cable being laid. “We have
heat dissipation and
temperature of the earth around a cable may vary along its found that standards-
affects the cable’s thermal
length, and the thermal load changes where other cables, based methods of assessing
performance (Figure 3).
such as those of distribution or rail power networks, cross cable ratings are generally
The team accounts for
or pass close by. It is difficult to validate test results. We conservative,” says Scott.
soil dryness and cracking
are always looking for more accurate cable ratings.” “They have the potential to
when modeling the trench
The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory (TDHVL) at suggest overheating issues
in which a cable runs.
the University of Southampton, which collaborates with when two cables are actually
“There are standards for
National Grid on innovation projects, has led the way in over 330 feet (100 meters)
soil and specialized backfill
modeling different cable components and using simulation apart and have very little
materials that we populate
to better understand the changes in performance that occur bearing on each other.”
in the model. Soil does
as they undergo environmental changes and begin to age. His team uses the
vary, so we tend to adopt
The research partnership between TDHVL and National relevant COMSOL model
a pessimistic assumption
Figure 3. Simulation results of a normalized airflow profile within a cross section of a long horizontal tunnel.