Alpha breathing

Evocation

Need of underground transmission and distribution by

power cables

1. When space is not available for Right Of

Way of overhead EHV-AC lines/ HVDC lines or
HV-AC lines, e.g. in large cities, mountainous
areas, industrial areas.
2. In large cities having tall buildings, roads,
railways lines dense population where overhead
lines would be hazardous due to high voltages,
Radio Interference, TV Interference, Electric
and magnetic field effects, etc.
3. Where overhead lines would not be aesthetic

4. Where overhead lines are unsafe due to possibility

of sabotage.
5. Where lightning strokes are very frequent and
therefore overhead lines can have very high outage
rate.
6. When power is to be transferred across a deep
lake, sea, long river.
7. Indoor power supply to loads.

Advantages of UG cables Environmental

Minimal visual impact
Low EMF
No corona discharge, RI and TVI
No bush fire problems
Minimal lightning problems
Good working conditions
High level personnel and public safety, no fallen lines (France
20000, 19 contacts deaths with OH lines, 0 with UG cables)

Advantages of UG Cables
Power Grid Security
Not affected by ice, snow, rain, wind, dust,
smoke or fog
Not affected by Ice storms, Tornadoes,
Hurricanes
Nothing to be stolen

Advantages of UG Cables
Economy
Low maintenance costs
Land use minimized
Value of land and buildings unaffected

Advantages of UG Cables
Operation
High reliability and availability
Few faults, bumps on power system
Major blackouts in NE
Diagnostics available to locate problems

Disadvantages
Cost, must consider life time costs not just
initial
Cost differential decreasing with time
Cost of losses (30-60% less than OH),
maintenance and repair

Disadvantages
Outage time, locate fault and repair (OH one
day, UG 7-10 days)
Fault location instantaneous, can have longer
repair time
Continuous trench required (sensitive areas,
directional boring)
Soil thermal conditions modified

Disadvantages
Continued
Presence of vaults and manholes
Distance limitation 100 km for ac cables
Murray Link 177 km longest in the World
2002

Commissioning
year:

2002

Power rating:

220 MW

No of circuits:

AC Voltage:

132 kV (Berri), 220

kV (Red Cliffs)

DC Voltage:

150 kV

Length of DC
underground
cable:

2 x 180 km

Main reason for

Controlled
choosing HVDC
connection for
Light:
trading.
Easy to get
permission for
underground
cables.
Application

Interconnecting
grids

 Increasingly cables are being seen as the lowest

cost solution for reliable delivery of power.
This recognition is seen in the increasing use of
cables within utilities.