HVDC Nanocomposite Insulation

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2012

01 December 2015

42 months

£889,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Project Contact, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Project Contact, SP Energy Networks

Assess whether nanocomposites can be dispersed in polymeric insulation material in a reproducible fashion. Assess whether a new improved insulation material can be created and used to construct full size products such as bushings. Evaluate the potential of the new material to allow the reduction in size of insulators in HVDC systems. Demonstration of a manufactured component which passes electrical and mechanical testing. Demonstration component demonstrates enhanced properties which make its use attractive.

Transmission network operators are currently planning development of the next generation of high efficiency and reliable HVDC transmission systems. These developments will include point to point and multi-terminal HVDC links. Establishment of higher performance and more reliable insulation material solutions, which are still affordable, is one of the major challenges that the electricity transmission industry faces. Successful insulation technology demonstration and its subsequent implementation is seen as vital to supporting timely expansion of renewable generation and its integration in the UK power grid, i.e. allowing 2020 UK CO2 emission targets to be met, whilst reducing energy costs and increasing security of supply; and has the potential to significantly reduce the size of HVDC converter stations, with a potentially significant cost saving (particularly for offshore converters). In laboratory R&D, nanocomposite electrical insulation materials have been shown to significantly out-perform conventional micro composite insulating materials but results have been inconsistent and scaling to manufacturing processes has been problematic. The planned work includes mastering the different facets of nanophase processing of cost effective materials for repeatable and scale independent manufacturing of preproduction materials for optioneering and optimisation as well as for demonstrator HVDC components that test scalability. The development will use state of the art processing and measurement methods to establish design and processing rules and to support the design of components with highly optimised electrical and physical properties that can withstand the multi-stress environments found in HVDC systems. The design and processing will then be trialled by manufacturing a demonstration component and undertaking suitable electrical and mechanical testing of the component.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

15/08/18