Powerful cable solution launched for power transmission grids

Senior Vice President Energy Projects at Prysmian Group, Massimo Battaini: “This milestone innovation shapes the progress of the entire HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) cable industry, reaching 3.5GW per bipole, the highest power rating ever, with cost reductions of up to 30% per transmitted MW.”

Battaini added: “The successful testing at 600kV is further proof of the quality and robustness of the P-Laser insulation technology.”

P-Laser is the name given to the most advanced and innovative technology using an in-house developed thermoplastic material - known as HPTE (High Performance Thermoplastic Elastomer) - that permits a more efficient cable production with lower environmental impact than traditional XLPE, where the manufacture is performed in a single and continuous process.

A key feature of this new insulation technology is that, compared to XLPE, it does not require a chemical reaction during manufacture to achieve the material properties required for the long term electrical integrity of HVDC insulation systems. This feature gives the additional benefit of shorter production times and results in both reduced energy consumption as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions.

P-Laser technology is fully compatible with existing cable and accessory technologies and provides a better electrical performance and a higher reliability in comparison to traditional XLPE-insulated cables.