Cable Application for Offshore Wind Farms

Project Background

An international energy giant constructed a large offshore wind farm in the North Sea region. Due to the harsh sea conditions, strong winds, high waves, and severe salt fog corrosion in the North Sea, extremely high requirements were placed on the performance of the cables. The cables needed to operate stably in extreme marine environments over the long term while also meeting the demands of high-capacity power transmission.

Shenxing Solutions

For this project, Shenxing Cables provided customized cable solutions to meet the special needs of the wind farm operating under harsh marine conditions.

▶ Corrosion-resistant, seawater-resistant, fatigue-resistant cables:

● Material Selection: Used cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation layer, which has excellent thermal resistance, chemical resistance, and can effectively resist seawater corrosion. The outer jacket is made of special weather-resistant TPE material, which has excellent wear resistance, oil resistance, ozone resistance, and can effectively withstand the erosion of ultraviolet light, salt fog, and other harsh environmental conditions.

● Structural Design: The internal structure of the cable uses a multi-strand braided design, enhancing the flexibility and tensile strength of the cable. The outer layer uses a high-strength steel wire braiding layer, effectively improving the tensile strength and vibration resistance of the cable.

▶ High-capacity, low-loss cables:

• Conductor Material: Uses high-purity annealed copper conductors with low resistance, reducing transmission losses and improving transmission efficiency.

• Insulation Layer: Uses uniformly thick cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation layer, which has excellent electrical and mechanical properties.

▶ Heat-resistant, moisture-resistant cables:

• Material Selection: Uses heat-resistant XLPE insulation and oil-resistant outer jackets, capable of stable operation in high-temperature, high-humidity, and oily environments.

• Structural Design: Uses a flat conductor design, increasing the contact area between the conductor and the insulation layer, lowering resistance, and improving thermal conductivity.

Performance Indicators

• Corrosion Resistance: Passed a 3000-hour salt fog corrosion test with no significant damage to the outer jacket, conforming to IEC 60092 standards.

• Heat Resistance: Operating temperature range: -60°C to 180°C, far exceeding ordinary cables.

• Vibration Resistance: Passed 100,000 bending cycles with stable performance and no breakage.

• Electrical Performance: High-rated voltage, low resistance, small transmission losses, meeting the needs of high-capacity power transmission.

Application Results

• Improved Power Generation Efficiency: Stable power supply increased the power generation efficiency of the wind farm by 18%, reducing power generation costs.

• Extended Equipment Lifespan: Corrosion-resistant, fatigue-resistant cables maintained good condition in harsh marine environments, extending the lifespan of the cables and reducing maintenance costs.

• Ensured Power Generation Safety: The reliable performance of the cables ensured that the power system on the wind farm operated normally, avoiding shutdown accidents due to cable failures.

• Reduced Operational Costs: Due to the superior performance of the cables, maintenance frequency was reduced, lowering operational costs.

Customer Evaluation

A project manager from an international energy giant stated: "Shenxing Cables provided a reliable power transmission solution for our offshore wind farm project. Its outstanding performance and reliability enabled our wind farm to operate stably under harsh marine conditions, contributing to global sustainable development."

Summary

Shenxing Cables provided customized cable solutions for offshore wind farms, effectively addressing the challenges of cable applications in harsh marine environments. By using advanced materials and designs, Shenxing Cables demonstrated excellent performance in terms of corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and vibration resistance, meeting the needs of high-capacity power transmission, creating significant economic benefits for customers, and contributing to the development of green energy globally.