One of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector is the creation of an electricity transmission system that is capable of transmitting a large amount of energy over long distances. Testing of cables, components and innovative HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technologies is aiding their realisation.
hese systems tuts energy losses and allowsfor the long distance transmission of large quantities of energy at low cost. Testshires eing carried out in a new laboratory realised by CESI, a world leader in both testing and certification and technical-engineering consultancy. The company's majority shareholders are Enel and Terna, who have equal stakes of 42.6 percent.
Inaugurated in early September at CESI subsidiary FGH Engineering and Test GmbH's headquarters in Mannheim in Germany, the building is Europe's first and largest independent Direct Current transmission laboratory. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology that enables the performance of development tests, type tests and prequalification tests on HVDC cable systems with voltages up to 1,200kV DC.
HVDC technology is used by several European transmission operators in order to both improve connections between different regions and countries and transfer large quantities of electricity from green sources, such as wind farms located in northern European seas. HVDC systems will also be used to create trans-Mediterranean links in southern Europe that will carry both wind and solar energy from the Middle East and North Africa. Germany will build HVDC corridors to connect the northern part of the country with the south, optimising the transportation and management of non-programmable renewable energy.
'Such technology, which is crucial for long distance energy transmission at low costs, may be defined as the “broadband” of electricity transmission,' said CESI's CEO Matteo Codazzi. 'It will be the foundation for pan-regional energy integration strategies, not only in Europe but also in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.'