Researchers at The University of Manchester will lead a European consortium to design crucial cable technology that will help achieve the ambition of transferring approximately 17% of total electricity from offshore wind by 2050.
The £5.5 million project, funded by Horizon Europe, will involve a four-year collaboration between Manchester and academic and industry experts from ETH Zurich, the University of Vienna, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, NKT Cable Group, Shell France, Shell Research Ltd, S&B Insurance Advisors, and Arttic Innovation. This initiative aims to develop the enabling technology that supports a sustainable European electricity grid.
The project will consist of three distinct parts. Firstly, understanding how electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses impact these cables; secondly how to create real-world conditions for reliable testing; and thirdly, construction of a 320 kV high-voltage DC cable prototype, tested at scale using the simulated conditions created through the project.
CDYNAMIC is one of the earliest Horizon projects since the UK re-joined, with a UK university serving as the lead coordinator.
Project lead, Dr Tony Chen, said: “Being granted European Commission funding as the project coordinator on this scale demonstrates the competitiveness of UK institutions.”
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“The knowledge gained from this project could revolutionise the design and use of HVDC cables, and set a new standard for this critical technology. By 2050, it could play a key role in ensuring that 17% of Europe’s electricity comes from offshore wind, building towards a safer, more sustainable, and more affordable energy network.”
