Utilities can increase their energy efficiency and improve environmental quality by making a simple choice of which underground (UG) cables they employ in their transmission and distribution (T&D) systems.Underground cables, as well as many other T&D assets are most effectively evaluated on a life cycle cost basis. It can be estimated that losses associated with UG cables comprise over one third of their total life cycle cost. Dielectric losses, one of the two types of electric losses associated with UG cables, can vary widely based solely on the type of insulation used. While smaller than the inherent losses associated with the impedance of the metallic conductor, dielectric losses are present whenever the cables are energized and monetary losses can be substantial over the life of today's modern cable designs which are projected to last a minimum of 40 years. Cables insulated with tree retardant cross linked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) insulation have dramatically lower dielectric losses than cables insulated with ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). Energy efficiency, cost savings and reduced carbon emissions can all result from using TR-XLPE for a utilities' UG cable infrastructure.
When unjacketed medium voltage (MV) extruded power cables were first installed in the late 1960's, cable manufacturers and utilities expected them to perform reliably for 20 or even 30 years. History has shown that the service life of some of these early cables, whether HMWPE or EPR, could be improved. Since then, utilities in North America have demanded and obtained significant improvements in the performance and reliability of MV underground cables. Improvements in insulation cleanliness and resistance to wet aging, in semiconductive shield smoothness and cleanliness, in cable jacketing, in cable manufacturing processes, and in specifications and qualification test requirements, have all combined to deliver in modern cables expected service life exceeding 40 years. Many accelerated cable aging tests, as well as more relevant field aged cable tests, have been conducted in the last decade and confirm the improved reliability resulting from the material and cable manufacturing improvements. Results from key studies will be summarized. The paper will also discuss further improvements being targeted in the development of new products.
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