JDR, the leading UK based supplier of subsea power cables and umbilicals to the offshore energy industry, has unveiled its new high-voltage inter-array cable and accessories at its latest customer technology day.
The innovative 66 (72.5) kV cable technology will be critical to support the offshore wind industry as it moves to increased power transmission between turbines at higher capacity offshore windfarms. JDR has pioneered the design of inter-array cables in the offshore energy industry, contributing to cost reduction targets with innovations such as aluminium cores.
The game-changing high-voltage cable recently completed its qualification and type testing programme, including terminations and accessories. JDR’s key customers attended an event this week to learn about the qualification programme including cable development, high-voltage and full-scale wet-age testing, cable splicing, joints and connectors and thermal analysis.
JDR chief technology officer, James Young comments: “JDR is pushing technology boundaries in the industry as we move to higher voltage energy networks. The development programme has involved collaboration with the full supply chain, developers and stakeholders. This has provided confidence to customers that our 72.5kV cables are fully qualified to meet the future needs of the energy industry.
We are particularly grateful for the support and input from DECC and the Offshore Wind Accelerator through various stages of the project. We are proud to demonstrate the quality and reliability of our cable technology, as the only supplier of inter-array cables with zero failures in service”.
JDR also invited some of its key supply chain partners to the event, including Tekmar who provided an overview of the cable protection systems (CPS) and ORE Catapult, who provided electrical testing services throughout the development, product qualification and type test programme. The introduction and presentations were held at Hartlepool College of Further Education, with whom JDR is building stronger links to the local community and partnering to develop future skills together.