Norway has a significant need for increased transmission capacity in the power grid to support new industries and renewable energy production. Cables, which make up 55% of the power grid, are often operated with static limits on transmission capacity. The INCA project will develop software and new technology to better utilize the existing cable network, aiming to increase transmission capacity by 20 to 70%. This will be achieved by modeling time-varying, dynamic loads to identify and make available unused capacity in the network. The project involves the development and integration of REN’s software for transmission capacity calculations, Trench Design, with real-time monitoring of cable installations from SafeBase.
The project will enable network and power companies to utilize cable installations up to their true transmission capacity without significantly increasing risk. The potential for capacity increase is substantial, and no solutions currently on the market are comparable to what INCA offers.
The total budget for the project is NOK 32 million. Parts of the project are funded through the PILOT-E scheme by the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, and Enova. Read more about PILOT-E.
Work Packages
WP1: User Requirements and Specifications
Define user requirements and specifications based on dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that the developed solution is relevant and value-adding for the industry.
WP2: Thermal Modeling
Develop dynamic electrothermal models for cables in all relevant installations and shielding configurations. These models will be implemented in Trench Design.
WP3: Sensor Technology for Monitoring and Decision Support
Develop and concretize robust and cost-effective sensor packages for monitoring cable installations.
WP4: Mapping and Monitoring of Cable Installations
Develop simplified methods and measurement equipment for characterizing cable trenches. This includes methods for measuring density, moisture content, and estimating thermal resistivity.
WP5: Implementation in Trench Design
Integrate newly developed calculation methods and functionalities into Trench Design to improve the accuracy of transmission capacity calculations.
WP6: Interface between Trench Design and SafeMon
Establish a bidirectional interface for data exchange between Trench Design and SafeMon, allowing real-time data to be used for operational decision support.
WP7: Piloting
Verify and demonstrate the project's solutions through full-scale pilots in various cable installations, including power cables in hydropower plants, regional grids, and distribution networks.
WP8: Project Management and Dissemination
Ensure project progress, coordination, and management, and disseminate project results to the industry through publications, courses, and conferences.
Organization
The project is organized with REN AS as the project lead.