Reduced Cost of Electrification - SP3
This subproject develops new technology for electrifying offshore installations. We are investigating a novel approach using wet design of high-voltage offshore cables in combination with subsea compensation units to enable long distance AC power transmission. This gives lighter cables without
the need for a metallic barrier to prevent water ingress, and reduced costs for production and installation of the cable. Subsea cable connectors (wet-mate connectors, dry-mate connectors, and penetrators) are vital components of oil and gas installations and future offshore renewable energy systems because they allow quick and reliable connection of subsea modules to main components while providing versatility and modularity of expensive equipment. These will also be essential for realising subsea transformers at higher voltages and subsea compensation units.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
The gas turbines used for offshore power production today emit large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG). Electrification from shore has the potential to drastically reduce these emissions. While the technology for electrification is already available, it is not often used as the price of electrification is high. The emphasis of SP3 is on reducing costs without sacrificing system reliability for the energy system and key components.
The main objectives are to:
- Identify/develop cost-efficient reliable power components for offshore/subsea power distribution
- Test components/insulation systems based on models of typical load patterns
- Develop models for estimation of global GHG emission reduction due to electrification
Results 2021
MAIN RESULTS IN 2021
- Improved and documented the offshore grid layout optimisation model (PowerGIM).
- Completed analyses with the European power system expansion optimisation model EMPIRE.
- A new methodology for water tree analysis based on Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) has been further developed. This will be an important tool in future research on water tree inception and growth, which is central in future development of wet-design cables.
- The first stage of a long running ageing experiment to investigate the impact of temperature cycling on degradation of wet design cables has been finalised. The results will be analysed in 2022.
- A test setup for investigating the effect of increased interfacial pressure along the interface in subsea connectors has been developed. This will be an important part of the infrastructure for the planned work in 2022 on subsea connectors.
- A framework for the simulation of offshore electrification and its global impact on CO2 emissions has been established. The framework includes a description of the expected evolution of the European energy system and scenarios for the electrification of the NCS. It was developed based on up-to-date information and datasets, in order to ensure relevance of the case studies to be assessed in following task activities.
IMPACT AND INNOVATIONS
- The main goal of the material characterisation of aged wet-design cables (ongoing in 2022) is to link chemical and mechanical properties of the XLPE cable insulation with inception and growth of water trees. A methodology was established, including examinations of the surface of the spiralized slices soaked in de-ionized water by SEM combined with EDX. This methodology will now be put to use in the Green Platform Ocean Grid research project.
- The methodology developed to quantify and analyse GHG emissions gives a sound basis to measure the actual environmental impact of electrification.
- The methodology developed to quantify and analyse GHG emissions gives a sound basis to measure the actual environmental impact of electrification.
- Analyses with EMPIRE show the importance, under the given assumptions, of onshore power to offshore installations. They also show the added benefits of building up the network in the Northern Sea to serve as both power supply and transmission hub.
- The work in SP3 has been important for two newly granted spin off projects (DeMoKab and GP Ocean Grid), in addition, two applications for competence building projects with support from the LowEmission consortium were submitted to the Research Council in February 2022.
Results 2020
- Improved and documented the offshore grid layout optimisation model ( PowerGIM) and completed preliminary analyses with the European power system expansion optimisation model EMPIRE.
- A new methodology for water tree analysis was established based on Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). In addition, FIB-milling was used to exclude contaminations at the surface, detecting ions tens of microns into the sample. This will be an important tool in future research on water tree inception and growth, which is central in future development of wet-design cables.
- Performed and reported a review of tools to simulate energy systems and of approaches to quantify the GHG emissions associated with the utilisation of power from shore. Carried out a preliminary identification of relevant scenarios to assess offshore electrification on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Impact and innovations
- The main goal of the material characterisation of aged wet-design cables (ongoing in 2021) is to link chemical and mechanical properties of the XLPE cable insulation with inception and growth of water trees. A methodology including examinations of the surface of the spiralized slices soaked in de-ionized water by SEM combined with EDX has been established and is promising for the identification of impurities in the vicinity of vented water trees.
- The analyses of tools and methods to quantify GHG emissions gives a sound basis to measure the actual environmental impact of electrification.
Results 2019
This SP develops new technology for electrifying offshore installations. Emphasis is on reducing costs without sacrificing system reliability for the energy system and key components. A novel approach using wet design of high-voltage offshore cables in combination with subsea compensation units to enable long distance AC power transmission will be investigated. This gives lighter cables without the need for a metallic barrier to prevent water ingress, and reduced costs for production and laying the cable.
Main objective
The gas turbines utilized for offshore power production today emit large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG). Electrification from shore may drastically reduce these emissions. While the technology for electrification is already available, it is not often used as the price of electrification is high. The emphasis of SP3 is on reducing costs without sacrificing system reliability for the energy system and key components. The main objectives are to:
- Identify/develop cost-efficient reliable power components for offshore/subsea power distribution
- Test components/insulation systems based on models of typical load patterns
- Develop models for estimation of GHG emission reduction due to electrification
Main results
- Completed preliminary study identifying optimal offshore grid layout with full electrification of the NCS
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Thermo-Mechanical Analysis (TMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) experiments have been performed on samples taken from three HV 145 kV XLPE land cables. Two of these cables were operated under wet conditions until they suffered breakdown due to water treeing. The third cable has never been in service and is used as a reference in this study.
- Review of existing technology was performed, important knowledge gaps like wet mate connectors, cooling of subsea transformers, turrets for FPSOs, and voltage limitations on floating installations due to dynamical vibrations have been identified.
- Initial overview of current tools and methods to quantify GHG emissions associated to power from shore and definition of gaps to address.
Impact and innovations
- The main goal of the material characterization of aged wet-design cables (ongoing in 2020) is to link chemical and mechanical properties of the XLPE cable insulation with inception and growth of water trees. Preliminary results show differences in thermo mechanical properties between cables close to the insulation where the water trees grow.
- The analyses of tools and methods to quantify GHG emissions gives a sound basis to measure the actual environmental impact of electrification.
