IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v156y2022ics1364032121012089.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Subsea superconductors: The future of offshore renewable energy transmission?

Author

Listed:
  • Cullinane, M.
  • Judge, F.
  • O'Shea, M.
  • Thandayutham, K.
  • Murphy, J.

Abstract

The European Union has set the ambitious target of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% before 2030, compared to 1990. Greater energy generation can be achieved by increased reliance on renewable energy, but the transmission of this energy to match supply with demand is a likely bottleneck in maximising renewable energy use. In this paper, we examine medium-voltage DC superconductors as a potential solution for low-loss, high-power transmission of offshore renewables. We look at what has been achieved to date in onshore superconducting cable deployment and what needs to be done for such superconductors to be deployed subsea, with the goals of exporting electricity from offshore wind farms and acting as grid interconnectors. The offshore oil and gas industry represents state of the art in terms of subsea pipe design. This paper explores how the experience of the offshore oil and gas industry can be applied to subsea superconductor cable design and identifies aspects of superconductor design likely to present a challenge to subsea deployment. The key areas identified as requiring research are the development of flexible pipes suitable for cryogenic usage that can withstand the dynamic loading encountered in the marine environment; robust and low-maintenance insulation systems suitable for subsea deployment; and cooling systems to enable pipelines greater than 100 km in length. Although the primary focus of this research is on superconductor cables, the information is also applicable to other subsea conduits requiring cryogenic cooling such as ‘green’ hydrogen.

Suggested Citation

  • Cullinane, M. & Judge, F. & O'Shea, M. & Thandayutham, K. & Murphy, J., 2022. "Subsea superconductors: The future of offshore renewable energy transmission?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:156:y:2022:i:c:s1364032121012089
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111943
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032121012089
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111943?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas, Heiko & Marian, Adela & Chervyakov, Alexander & Stückrad, Stefan & Salmieri, Delia & Rubbia, Carlo, 2016. "Superconducting transmission lines – Sustainable electric energy transfer with higher public acceptance?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 59-72.
    2. Taormina, Bastien & Bald, Juan & Want, Andrew & Thouzeau, Gérard & Lejart, Morgane & Desroy, Nicolas & Carlier, Antoine, 2018. "A review of potential impacts of submarine power cables on the marine environment: Knowledge gaps, recommendations and future directions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 380-391.
    3. Roland Ryndzionek & Łukasz Sienkiewicz, 2020. "Evolution of the HVDC Link Connecting Offshore Wind Farms to Onshore Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    4. José Renato M. de Sousa & Fernando J. M. de Sousa & Marcos Q. de Siqueira & Luís V. S. Sagrilo & Carlos Alberto D. de Lemos, 2012. "A Theoretical Approach to Predict the Fatigue Life of Flexible Pipes," Journal of Applied Mathematics, Hindawi, vol. 2012, pages 1-29, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Anindya Ray & Kaushik Rajashekara, 2023. "Electrification of Offshore Oil and Gas Production: Architectures and Power Conversion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-19, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alassi, Abdulrahman & Bañales, Santiago & Ellabban, Omar & Adam, Grain & MacIver, Callum, 2019. "HVDC Transmission: Technology Review, Market Trends and Future Outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 530-554.
    2. Baopeng Lu & Shuaibing Li & Yi Cui & Xiaowei Zhao & Daqi Zhang & Yongqiang Kang & Haiying Dong, 2022. "Insulation Degradation Mechanism and Diagnosis Methods of Offshore Wind Power Cables: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, December.
    3. M. A. Clare & A. Lichtschlag & S. Paradis & N. L. M. Barlow, 2023. "Assessing the impact of the global subsea telecommunications network on sedimentary organic carbon stocks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Wojciech Sleszynski & Artur Cichowski & Piotr Mysiak, 2020. "Suppression of Supply Current Harmonics of 18-Pulse Diode Rectifier by Series Active Power Filter with LC Coupling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Graciela Rivera & Angélica Felix & Edgar Mendoza, 2020. "A Review on Environmental and Social Impacts of Thermal Gradient and Tidal Currents Energy Conversion and Application to the Case of Chiapas, Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Nezha Mejjad & Marzia Rovere, 2021. "Understanding the Impacts of Blue Economy Growth on Deep-Sea Ecosystem Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    7. Monique de Carvalho Alves & Fabrício Nogueira Corrêa & José Renato Mendes de Sousa & Breno Pinheiro Jacob, 2024. "A Coupled, Global/Local Finite Element Methodology to Evaluate the Fatigue Life of Flexible Risers Attached to Floating Platforms for Deepwater Offshore Oil Production," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-29, April.
    8. Brinkerink, Maarten & Gallachóir, Brian Ó & Deane, Paul, 2019. "A comprehensive review on the benefits and challenges of global power grids and intercontinental interconnectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 274-287.
    9. C, O. Mauricio Hernandez & Shadman, Milad & Amiri, Mojtaba Maali & Silva, Corbiniano & Estefen, Segen F. & La Rovere, Emilio, 2021. "Environmental impacts of offshore wind installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities: A case study of Brazil," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    10. Hamoud Alafnan & Xiaoze Pei & Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour & Moanis Khedr & Wenjuan Song & Ibrahim Alsaleh & Abdullah Albaker & Mansoor Alturki & Xianwu Zeng, 2023. "Impact of Copper Stabilizer Thickness on SFCL Performance with PV-Based DC Systems Using a Multilayer Thermoelectric Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, April.
    11. Saran Ganesh & Arcadio Perilla & Jose Rueda Torres & Peter Palensky & Aleksandra Lekić & Mart van der Meijden, 2021. "Generic EMT Model for Real-Time Simulation of Large Disturbances in 2 GW Offshore HVAC-HVDC Renewable Energy Hubs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-30, February.
    12. Danilo Herrera & Thiago Tricarico & Diego Oliveira & Mauricio Aredes & Eduardo Galván-Díez & Juan M. Carrasco, 2022. "Advanced Local Grid Control System for Offshore Wind Turbines with the Diode-Based Rectifier HVDC Link Implemented in a True Scalable Test Bench," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    13. Danovaro, Roberto & Bianchelli, Silvia & Brambilla, Paola & Brussa, Gaia & Corinaldesi, Cinzia & Del Borghi, Adriana & Dell’Anno, Antonio & Fraschetti, Simonetta & Greco, Silvestro & Grosso, Mario & N, 2024. "Making eco-sustainable floating offshore wind farms: Siting, mitigations, and compensations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    14. Xingliang Liu & Guiyun Tian & Yu Chen & Haoze Luo & Jian Zhang & Wuhua Li, 2020. "Non-Contact Degradation Evaluation for IGBT Modules Using Eddy Current Pulsed Thermography Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-14, May.
    15. Neville R. Watson & Jeremy D. Watson, 2020. "An Overview of HVDC Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-35, August.
    16. Kalair, A. & Abas, N. & Khan, N., 2016. "Comparative study of HVAC and HVDC transmission systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1653-1675.
    17. Hutchison, Zoë L. & Gill, Andrew B. & Sigray, Peter & He, Haibo & King, John W., 2021. "A modelling evaluation of electromagnetic fields emitted by buried subsea power cables and encountered by marine animals: Considerations for marine renewable energy development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 72-81.
    18. Mohsin Ali Koondhar & Ghulam Sarwar Kaloi & Abdul Sattar Saand & Sadullah Chandio & Wonsuk Ko & Sisam Park & Hyeong-Jin Choi & Ragab Abdelaziz El-Sehiemy, 2023. "Critical Technical Issues with a Voltage-Source-Converter-Based High Voltage Direct Current Transmission System for the Onshore Integration of Offshore Wind Farms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    19. Huanhuan Luo & Weichun Ge & Jingzhuo Sun & Quanyuan Jiang & Yuzhong Gong, 2021. "Using Thermal Energy Storage to Relieve Wind Generation Curtailment in an Island Microgrid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    20. Benjamins, Steven & Williamson, Benjamin & Billing, Suzannah-Lynn & Yuan, Zhiming & Collu, Maurizio & Fox, Clive & Hobbs, Laura & Masden, Elizabeth A. & Cottier-Cook, Elizabeth J. & Wilson, Ben, 2024. "Potential environmental impacts of floating solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:156:y:2022:i:c:s1364032121012089. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.