Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA2_NGET0042 | |
| Title | Analysis of the Thermal Influence of Cable Surroundings (AnTICs) | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given National Grid Electricity Transmission |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2023 | |
| End Date | 31 March 2026 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £597,400 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGET0042 |
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| Objectives | "The aim would be to use a combination of state-of-the-art thermal modelling, historical datasets, and geotechnical expertise, to update guidance on the future operation of cable systems, both pre-existing and planned. The investigations will cover: the thermal properties of sediments and soils; measurement of post-installation depth of lay and the natural variability in seabed depths due to sediment movement; and the spatial and temporal variation in air, groundwater and ocean bottom temperatures (which is vital to accurately quantify the influence of the burial environment on cable temperatures). This project will compare conductor temperatures derived from FEA (Finite element analysis) models against actual DTS datasets recorded. Modelling will be undertaken with both the original environmental design parameters and the ones derived from available NGET and public data sources to establish discrepancies stemming from the use of historical assumptions. Data Quality Statement (DQS): The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with OFGEM, ENA and NGET internal policy. Data produced as part of this project will be subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored on our internal sharepoint platform ensuring access control, backup and version management. Deliverables will be shared with other network licensees through following channels:Closedown reports on the Smarter Networks Portal. Measurement Quality Statement (MQS): The methodology used in this project will be subject to suppliers own quality assurance regime. Quality assurance processes and the source of data, measurement processes and equipment as well as data processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant deliverables and final project report and will be made available for review. " "The project is scoped into 6 work streams (WS). WS1: Identification of case study site(s) and collation of available datasetsWhat electrical, environmental and monitoring data are available for each cable route?What further information gathering is required for successful project delivery?What case study sites are of interest to NGET strategically and are amenable to the installation of DTS systems? WS2: Development of flexible finite element cable thermal modelsWhat model framework is amenable for use within NGETs inhouse tools?Can heat dissipation from cables in partially saturated soils be properly captured in FE models?How can groundwater movement be accurately modelled for onshore and offshore cable circuits? WS3: Analysis and potential re-calibration of DTS dataWhat are the key environmental parameters (ambient temperature at cable depth; thermal resistivity; and lifetime depth of cover change) for the chosen case study sites?How do these values compare to those originally used in cable design?What is the optimum site investigation approach for terrestrial, landfall and marine sites for future NG assets? WS4: Collation of environmental data for model input and model runsIs the DTS data physically sensible based on known environmental conditions at each site?What are the thermally critical locations for each case study? WS5: Comparison of DTS vs Modeldata and implications for future cable installationsCan FEA models accurately simulate DTS data?What is the benefit of using suitable environmental parameters on cable ratings? WS6: Recommendations to National GridHow can the proposed modelling framework and guidance by integrated into NGET BAU practices?What lithological information should NGET be cognizant of for future installations? " "The objective of this project is to use advanced modelling combined with DTS data to improve sizing and rating methods for cable systems. The key aspects are: Flexible finite element cable thermal models that are capable of capturing heat transfer due to power flow and influence by the surrounding environmentValidation of the finite element model using DTS dataIdentification of the most impactful environmental parameters on cable ratings and sizing post validation, and how they differ from past assumptionsRecommendations on new cable sizing and rating methods " | |
| Abstract | The power flow capacity of high voltage cables is limited by the heat dissipation ability of their immediate surrounding environment. However, despite the large number of projects built in the past, the surrounding environments thermal properties are often poorly understood. Typical assumptions are often excessively conservative, which may have led to excessively large cables costing extra. This project proposes to use expert geological and oceanographic analysis to build bespoke numerical models of cable systems, which can then be validated using Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) data. Current design approaches can be tested and establish if the level of conservatism in cable system design can be safely reduced. This project would also propose new methods to rate and size cable systems that can best inform business decisions. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 18/10/23 | |
