EasyDC-FOS project launches to develop next gen HVDC cables

The EasyDC-FOS project has launched with Horizon Europe support focused on the development of a new generation of high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables.

The new cables are planned to operate at voltages above 525kV and be paired with an intelligent monitoring system based on fibre optics with integration in a cyber-secure digital environment.

With the current geopolitical context leading to a reduction of external dependence on energy and other resources, the project is positioned to boost the industrial capacities of member states and strengthen the smart grids value chain to position Europe at the forefront of large-scale power transmission technology.

The project also supports the EU Green Deal renewable energy targets, with the European Commission’s implementation plan for HVDC cabling technologies as part of its strategy to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure and enable it to meet future demands.

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EasyDC-FOS cable prototype

The ‘Towards a wide-spread HVDC-based power system enabled by new highly efficient cable and fibre optic monitoring systems’ (EasyDC-FOS) project was launched on 1 September and runs for 36 months.

The project is committed to demonstrating the new HV cable systems with an optimised energy transport capability and longer life period due to the use of an alternative XLPE insulation material, paired with the development of a series of smart tools for monitoring ageing and for fault detection in transmission networks.

The prototype is planned to operate at a minimum of 400kV and 90ºC with lower energy losses due to the improved insulating materials, which also will be behaviour tested to at least 640kV.

To ensure durability and reliability, advanced partial discharge measurement techniques using passive fibre optic sensors in the 0 to 1GHz range are planned to obtain real-time data on the cable condition over time, from which predictive ageing models can be developed to anticipate and prevent future failures.

Additionally, a vibration sensor based on fibre optics should be developed and integrated with distributed temperature sensing and distributed acoustic sensing solutions to monitor the temperature, acoustic signals and vibrations of the system to enable the development of cable capacity and fault location algorithms.

These will then be integrated into a distributed edge infrastructure to strengthen the cybersecurity of the entire monitoring system.

The project outcomes are proposed to be demonstrated and validated with support from the two participating TSOs, Energinet from Denmark and Statnett from Norway, at sites in the respective countries in 2027.

The EasyDC-FOS project is being coordinated by the Spanish sensor and monitoring solution developer Lumiker Aplicaciones Tecnologicas, with the project consortium comprising 12 other participants including industrial developers and academia.

The Horizon Europe contribution is €5.5 million (US$6 million).