Project Overview
Objective
Cost-effective and reliable underground transmission cable systems depend on sound engineering practices of design, construction, operation, and maintenance. This project develops technologies, software tools, and guides, providing technical basis for safe, reliable, and efficient underground transmission systems of both extruded and laminar dielectric cables. The project addresses the following needs to equip cable users with knowledge, methods, and tools to execute required tasks throughout the life cycle of underground cable systems:
- Advanced designs and innovative techniques to reduce construction and installation costs.
- Methods and tools to assist in engineering designs and determine and improve cable circuit ratings.
- Cable accessory installation, diagnostics, and long-term performance.
- Safe and effective cable circuit inspection techniques.
- Cable and accessory failure root causes.
Underground transmission engineers, designers, and managers can use the tools, methods, and technologies developed in this project to effectively plan, design, operate, and maintain their underground transmission systems. For example:
- Laboratory and investigative results can be used to improve system long-term performance and design and implement reliable and effective cable systems.
- Software tools and analytical studies can be used to validate system designs and enhance cable project planning and management, and to increase and optimize ratings of transmission circuits.
- By applying industry best practices, especially in cable system construction and installation, utilities can reduce costs in all phases of a cable project, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
- Development and laboratory demonstration of inspection techniques can be used to improve the health and safety of personnel working with underground cable systems.
- Performance and failure information and databases can be used for effective asset management.
Research Value
Design, construction, rating, operation, and maintenance tools and methods developed through this project could help cable users:
- Make more informed decisions about planning new transmission lines.
- Improve efficiency in underground cable system design and operations.
- Improve productivity and quality in underground cable system construction.
- Assess conditions of existing underground transmission lines and develop fact-based maintenance and replacement strategies.
- Reduce overall installation, construction, operation, and maintenance costs.
Planned 2025 Research
To address industry issues and provide adequate tools and information, this project intends to evaluate and apply industry knowledge, enhance and validate existing solutions, and investigate and develop tools and technologies by undertaking key tasks in a wide variety of activities, which may include the following:
Develop methodologies, software tools, and practices related to design, engineering, system planning, ratings, and operations of underground cable systems.
Investigate transmission cable accessory performance issues, perform aging tests on outdoor terminations with composite insulation, and develop and demonstrate inspection and monitoring techniques.
Analyze field-aged cables and accessories as well as failure and performance data to investigate long-term performance issues.
Investigate underground transmission vault inspection techniques to improve worker safety and reduce circuit outage requirements.