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Plastic nanocomposite insulation material enabling reliable integration of renewables and DC storage technologies in the AC energy grid

Project description

Integrating renewable energy with optimised thermoplastic insulation solutions

As Europe turns to renewable energy sources, it is essential to find efficient and cost-effective ways to ease their integration into electrical grids. The EU-funded GRIDABLE project aims to optimise the production of a novel dielectric nanocomposite for electrical insulation from laboratory scale to pre-production stage. This thermoplastic composite has demonstrated the capacity to enhance grid efficiency when applied as an insulator in high-voltage direct current cables and capacitors. The cables will be capable of transferring electricity over long distances from remote power plants, thus facilitating the use of distributed and intermittent renewable energy sources. These cables, formed through extrusion, will also reduce production costs.

Objective

In the GRIDABLE project we will introduce novel thermoplastic polymer composite materials to enhance performance of essential components of smart grid infrastructure. We have proven in laboratory scale that the polypropylene-silica nanocomposite brings considerable improvements especially in dielectric breakdown strength.

When applied as insulator in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable and in DC capacitors, the composite will bring significant enhancement at device level compared to the state-of-the-art. Cost and physical size of the capacitors will be reduced. Thermoplastic composite will enable cost effective production of cables by extrusion. Additionally, enhanced dielectric properties will increase HVDC transfer capacity. This will result in more efficient use of energy and materials.

In the GRIDABLE project we will up-scale production of novel dielectric nanocomposite for electrical insulation applications. We will transfer material’s high performance from laboratory scale to pre-production scale. This will be proven by relevant demonstrators and prototypes. The technical advances gained with novel dielectric material will facilitate to enhance power supply reliability. The new level of dielectric characteristics will help to manage volatility of the grid considering variety of power sources. Thus grid efficiency can be increased. The new HVDC cables will allow efficient electricity transfer over very long distances, e.g. from remote low-carbon power plants. This will also ease utilisation of distributed and intermittent renewable energy sources.

Fields of science

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Call for proposal

H2020-NMBP-2016-2017

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-NMBP-2016-two-stage

Coordinator

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Net EU contribution
€ 1 525 027,95
Address
TEKNIIKANTIE 21
02150 Espoo
Finland

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Region
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 1 525 027,95

Participants (12)