DNV Invites Industry to Develop Project to Manage Subsea Power Cabling Risks (Norway)

In order to decrease the risks associated with subsea power cabling in offshore wind farms and other energy-related projects, DNV is inviting the industry to develop common best practices.

Several wind farms have been struggling with subsea cable issues but little knowledge or experience is yet publicly available. For this reason DNV, together with industry stakeholders, has established a Joint Industry Project (JIP). The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the direct and root causes of subsea cable issues related to offshore wind farms and to develop a guidance document to effectively manage the risks involved.

Project manager, Thomas Boehme, explains that: “The JIP will especially look at the inter-array cabling in the wind farms as well as the export cable connecting the wind farm to the onshore grid. The findings and recommendations are expected to be relevant for subsea power cable applications, such as the long-distance, HVDC power transmission proposed for the North Sea and Mediterranean Sea.”

Several cable manufacturers, installers, project developers and owners have already shown a strong interest in participating, but positions are still available for new participants. The aim is to complete the project in 2012.

“Due to DNV’s in-depth knowledge and role as independent partner, the company facilitates a great number of joint industry projects each year, many of them aimed specifically at developing standards. Our role since 1864 has been to assist in solving complex technical challenges faced by business and society. Developing new tools, methodologies, standards, and recommended practices together with wind industry and authorities is an important role for us,” says Thomas Boehme.

Project Scope and Motivation

• Detailed capturing of project experience to date

• Identification of the key risks and possible mitigation measures

– Natural hazards (e.g. shifting seabeds, sandwaves)

– Man-made hazards (e.g. fishing, dredging, anchoring)

• Planning and consent

– Understanding site conditions with a focus on Northern Europe

– Planning and execution of geotechnical investigation along the cable route

• Specific design recommendations

– Cable design and manufacturing for site-specific conditions

– Transport and installation process specifications

– Cable protection

• Specific installation recommendations

– Staff competence requirements

– Vessel and equipment capabilities

– Installation and termination best practice

• Operation and maintenance requirements

• Cost benefit analyses

Deliverables

The project will produce two main documents – a project report (available to participating parties) and a Recommended Practice (RP) document, potentially available to the industry. The RP is intended to provide an internationally acceptable design standard for offshore renewable cable connections when such guidance is not adequately given in existing standards or local legislation.

By Svein Inge Leirgulen

[mappress]

Source:dnv ,March 16, 2011; Image:sccl