Objective Objective:Objectives and problems to be solved:The project aims first to provide a methodology and associated software incorporating hardware tools to assess the potential technical, economic and environmental benefits and impacts of high-voltage DC (HVDC) embedded in the largely HVAC electrical power transmission and distribution systems of the European network. The project will also assess the potential benefits of using environmentally more acceptable HVDC power cable systems and cable deployment methods. The project also aims to obtain an enhanced understanding of the factors that control the design and performance of HVDC cable systems. This will be used to produce cable design principles and tools and to obtain estimation methods for cable reliability prediction for use in transmission system evaluation. Novel and cost effective methods for cable deployment will also be assessed.Description of work:Transmission system scenarios will be defined at trans-European, country and regional levels for which HVDC in HVAC systems could produce medium to long-term technical benefits. System studies (e.g. load flow, stability, reliability, security assessment) will be used to establish HVDC benefits for cases such as: geographical interconnection of AC systems, systems reinforcement; in-feed to urban areas and high power users and the operation of flexible AC transmission systems (F.A.C.T.S) and the embedding of renewable power sources. A set of environmental impact assessment (EIA) factors will be identified, which are consistent with but going beyond the EC EIA directive. This will lead to the production of a framework and associated software tools for enviro-economic life-cycle assessment for transmission systems (for both HVAC and HVDC components). Using these the technical, environmental and economic advantages of partial DC versus complete AC will be evaluated and ranked for a set of defined case studies and scenarios. Physical models will be developed to calculate the electric field distribution in cables and multi-layer systems as used in cable accessories for HVDC application. Estimation methods will be established for the life prediction of HVDC cable systems to be used in transmission system reliability studies and to assess insulation system requirements for cable designs having particular failure probabilities to arrive at optimal cable technical and economic characteristics. Opportunities will be identified for more efficient cable manufacture and deployment based on HVDC technology. Multi-attribute decision making methods will be established to apply the preferences and constraints of decision makers to select the most beneficial solutions. Expected results and exploitation plans: This will assist the strategic development of the European transmission system and facilitate trans-European energy trading. It is our expectation that significant benefits will be shown particularly for system optimisation, reduced environmental impacts and greater flexibility to expand geographically the physical and trading network. In this case, there will be a requirement for a large number of reliable HVDC cable connections. The work will be disseminated to and feedback obtained progressively from European transmission system operators through specialist workshops and through interfaces with the Union for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE) and Conférence Internationale des Grandes Reseaux Électriques (CIGRÉ) committees. A web site will be set up describing the results of the project. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologymechanical engineeringthermodynamic engineering Programme(s) FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.4.-6. - Key action Economic and Efficient Energy for a Competitive Europe Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER EU contribution No data Address University Road LEICESTER United Kingdom See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (11) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BOREALIS A/S Denmark EU contribution No data Address 444 86 STENUNGSUND See on map Total cost No data CESI - CENTRO ELETTROTECNICO SPERIMENTALE ITALIANO GIACINTO MOTTA SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Rubattino 54 20134 MILANO See on map Total cost No data DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Mekelweg 4 2600 GA DELFT See on map Total cost No data GESTORE DELLA RETE DI TRASMISSIONE NAZIONALE SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Pilsudski 92 00138 ROMA See on map Total cost No data INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY SOLUTIONS LIMITED United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address The Surrey Technology Centre, Occam Road 40 GU2 5YG GUILDFORD See on map Total cost No data PIRELLI CAVI E SISTEMI SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address Viale Sarca 222 20126 MILANO See on map Total cost No data Rte-Edf France EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data TENNET BV Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Utrechtseweg 310 6800 AS ARNHEM See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITE PAUL SABATIER DE TOULOUSE III France EU contribution No data Address Route de Narbonne 118 31062 Toulouse See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA Italy EU contribution No data Address 2,Viale Risorgimento 2 40136 Bologna See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF SURREY United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Stag Hill GU2 7XH GUILDFORD See on map Total cost No data
