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The high voltage (HV) market is requiring an increasing number of tests at higher and higher voltage levels. In order to support this growing business, Nexans has decided to significantly enhance its testing capacity by building in Calais, France, a new state-of-the-art direct current (DC) laboratory that allows to test simultaneously three independent qualification loops.
Each loop is composed of multiple cable sections and joints and is connected to the electrical network through two terminations. It is designed to represent the various configurations existing in power grids. The generators, rated for voltages up to 1.2 million volts, operate in a controlled environment, which guarantees the optimum equipment availability required for performing ageing tests typically lasting more than one year.
This new laboratory is dedicated to HVDC cables, a market of primary importance for high-capacity links and connection of renewable energy sources, such as the Dolwin 6 offshore windpark. For this large project brought to life by TenneT, Nexans Germany was recently awarded a contract to supply and install two 90-km-long HVDC cables that will transport up to 900 MW of wind power, enough to transmit enough electricity for almost one million German homes.
12 HV test laboratories supported by multidisciplinary experts
The Calais Center of Excellence for HV testing occupies 6,500 m² and is now composed of 12 HV test laboratories equipped with world-class generators operating up to 1.5 million volts. It is COFRAC-certified (ISO 17025) and addresses both alternating current (AC) and DC applications. The Center of Excellence is a critical asset for qualification of the cable systems developed by Nexans for its customers and for supporting the Group’s industry-renowned innovation program. The Center played a key role in qualification of Nexans’ 500 kV AC and 525 kV DC systems.
In addition to electrical testing, highly skilled and experienced experts of the Calais Center of Excellence perform electrical, thermal and mechanical modeling along with physico-chemical analyses and thermo-mechanical tests. Such in-depth approach allows to develop a detailed understanding of phenomena involved in HV cable systems, both resistive and superconducting, in order to ensure that Nexans cables and accessories will meet customer needs at commissioning and in the long run. Finally, the teams of the Calais Center of Excellence contribute to continuous improvement of installation techniques as well as technical training of Nexans’ customers and partners.
“As the global energy needs continue to grow, the world will require extremely reliable cable systems for power transmission at ever higher voltage levels for both AC and DC applications”, said Dirk Steinbrink, Nexans’ Senior Executive Vice President, High Voltage and Underwater Cable Business Group. “With its new laboratory, the Calais Center of Excellence will be positioned as one of the leading hubs for helping our clients address the challenges of the future.”
Related Document
Nexans Opens the Latest High Voltage Test Laboratory at its Calais Center of ExcellenceNexans Opens the Latest High Voltage Test Laboratory at its Calais Center of Excellence(219.7kb)
Contacts:
Michel Gédéon - Financial Communication
P: +33(0)1 78 15 05 41 - E: michel.gedeon[.]nexans.com.
Marième Diop - Financial Communication
P: +33(0)1 78 15 05 40 - E: marieme.diop[.]nexans.com.
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About Nexans
Nexans (nexans.com) brings energy to life through an extensive range of cables and cabling solutions that deliver increased performance for our customers worldwide. Nexans’ teams are committed to a partnership approach that supports customers in four main business areas: Power transmission and distribution (submarine and land), Energy resources (Oil & Gas, Mining and Renewables), Transportation (Road, Rail, Air, Sea) and Building (Commercial, Residential and Data Centers). Nexans’ strategy is founded on continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development, customer training and the introduction of safe, low-environmental-impact industrial processes. In 2013, Nexans became the first cable player to create a Foundation to introduce sustained initiatives for access to energy for disadvantaged communities worldwide.
Nexans is an active member of Europacable, the European Association of Wire & Cable Manufacturers, and a signatory of the Europacable Industry Charter. The Charter expresses its members' commitment to the principles and objectives of developing ethical, sustainable and high-quality cables.
Nexans, acting for the energy transition, has an industrial presence in 40 countries, commercial activities worldwide, is employing close to 26,000 people and generating sales in 2016 of 5.8 billion euros. Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A.
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