Abstract：The submarine cable project has a long route which passes through various complex environments, and the load capacity of the cable system is limited by the thermal bottleneck, which usually occupies only a short section of the cable line. The traditional design uses one same cable specification for the whole system, which results in a massive waste of the equipment resources. Aiming at making full use of the cable transmission capacity and improving the project economy, this paper proposes to choose different core specifications for the submarine cable sections laid in different environments, and to optimize the system design by ampacity matching of the submarine cables with cores of different materials and sizes. For the convenience and representativeness, the 220 kV three-core submarine cable system was taken as the object, and the route was roughly divided into two sections where the cable was laid in seabed and mudflat, which was the longest and hottest section respectively of the cable line. Firstly, the current carrying capacities were calculated for the two sections of cables with copper or aluminum cores of different sizes which were buried in seabed and mudflat. Secondly, the submarine cables with cores of different materials and sizes were selected and matched between the two laying sections to realize the optimal current carrying capacity of the whole system, and at the same time the technical and economic analyses were conducted. Then, the finite element model was established for the transition joints connecting two different submarine cables, and the multi-physical field simulation was carried out to analyze the thermal field distribution characteristics. Finally, the allowable load current of the submarine cable system was determined after the comparison of the transmission capacity of the transition joint with the cable itself. Based on the theoretical methods established, the optimization selection schemes of submarine cables were recommended for typical engineering systems by taking the fulfillment of the required transmission capacity and the minimizing of the unit capacity cost as the goal. The following conclusions can be drawn from this paper. (1) Under the same direct burial conditions, the allowable current carrying capacity of aluminum-core cable is about 80%~90% of copper-core cable with the same specification, and the ratio increases with the increase of core cross-section. The allowable current carrying capacity of the cable section laid in the mudflat is about 13%~15% lower than that laid in the seabed, and the ratio becomes larger with the increase of core cross-section. The above two characteristics provide available space for the optimization design of submarine cable systems. (2) The design of a submarine cable system based on the matching of cores with different materials and sizes can improve the system transmission capacity, and significantly reduce the acquisition cost of submarine cables per unit length and capacity. Under a specified transmission capacity, the cost can be reduced by about 20%~50% compared with the traditional design of using a same specification of copper-core cable for the whole the line, which is a significant economic benefit. (3) There is a temperature gradient along the axial direction of the copper-aluminum-core transition joint. The temperature at the core of the aluminum cable is higher than that of the copper cable, and the temperature at the core inside the transition joint is lower than that of the submarine cable on both sides. This means the joint is not the thermal bottleneck of the system and will not limit the current carrying capacity of the cable line.
赵皓琳, 刘英, 吴婧, 刘潇镁. 基于异质异径线芯选型实现载流量优化匹配的高压XLPE海缆系统设计[J]. 电工技术学报, 2025, 40(15): 4954-4965.
Zhao Haolin, Liu Ying, Wu Jing, Liu Xiaomei. Design of High-Voltage XLPE Submarine Cable System Based on Ampacity Optimized Matching of Cores with Different Materials and Sizes. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2025, 40(15): 4954-4965.
[1] 邵森安, 马勰, 丰如男, 等. 海底电缆国内外研究综述[J]. 南方电网技术, 2020, 14(11): 81-88. Shao Sen'an, Ma Xie, Feng Runan, et al.Review of researches on submarine cables at home and abroad[J]. Southern Power System Technology, 2020, 14(11): 81-88. [2] 刘刚, 曹京荥, 陆莹, 等. 以全寿命周期成本为判据的近海风电场高压海底电缆选型标准[J]. 高电压技术, 2015, 41(8): 2674-2680. Liu Gang, Cao Jingying, Lu Ying, et al.Selection criteria of high-voltage submarine cables for offshore wind farms by life cycle cost[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2015, 41(8): 2674-2680. [3] 李根, 杜志叶, 肖湃, 等. 海上风电送出J型管段海底电缆载流量计算模型研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2023, 38(13): 3619-3629. Li Gen, Du Zhiye, Xiao Pai, et al.Study on calculation model of submarine cable ampacity in J-tube section of offshore wind power transmission[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2023, 38(13): 3619-3629. [4] 乔镜琪, 赵学童, 夏源, 等. 不同敷设方式下±500 kV高压直流海缆稳态载流量仿真分析[J]. 高电压技术, 2023, 49(2): 597-607. Qiao Jingqi, Zhao Xuetong, Xia Yuan, et al.Simulation analysis of steady-state ampacity of ±500 kV high-voltage DC submarine cables under different laying methods[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2023, 49(2): 597-607. [5] 乐彦杰, 孙璐, 彭维龙, 等. 典型交流高压海缆工程载流量瓶颈分析与仿真研究[J]. 高压电器, 2022, 58(1): 70-78. Le Yanjie, Sun Lu, Peng Weilong, et al.Analysis and simulation research on current carrying capacity bottleneck of typical AC high-voltage submarine cable project[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2022, 58(1): 70-78. [6] Vassallo J, Agius K, Cassar J, et al.Engineering and operating the 230kV, 50Hz interconnector between Malta and Italy[C]//2016 IEEE International Energy Conference (ENERGYCON), Leuven, Belgium, 2016: 1-6. [7] Huang H, Chang G W, Wang Pingkui, et al.A study of submarine power grid planning for offshore wind farm[C]//2011 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA, 2011: 1-5. [8] Rendina R, Guarniere M R, Niccolai R, et al.The realization and commissioning of the ±500 kV 1000 MW HVDC link Sardinia Island—Italian Peninsula (SAPEI)[C]//CIGRE Session, Paris, France, 2012: B1-101. [9] Lervik L, Andersrød T, Bregman M, et al.Deep water 500 kV HVDC mass impregnated cable interconnection between Montenegro and Italy[C]//CIGRE Session, Paris, France, 2020: B1-304. [10] 汤亚华. 铝芯电缆替代铜芯电缆的探讨[J]. 电源技术应用, 2011, 14(10): 54-59. [11] 苗付贵, 阎孟昆, 庄猛. 中压异径电缆中间接头的选择[J]. 电线电缆, 2009(5): 36-37, 40. Miao Fugui, Yan Mengkun, Zhuang Meng.Selection of middle voltage different cable sections splice[J]. Electric Wire & Cable, 2009(5): 36-37, 40. [12] 吴明祥, 王少华. 浙江电网铝芯电缆运行情况分析[J]. 浙江电力, 2014, 33(6): 6-10. Wu Mingxiang, Wang Shaohua.Analysis on operation status of aluminum core cables in Zhejiang power grid[J]. Zhejiang Electric Power, 2014, 33(6): 6-10. [13] 游磊, 张雪莹, 王鹏宇, 等. 基于全生命周期成本的铜或铝芯电缆的选择方法[J]. 中国电力, 2018, 51(4): 168-174. You Lei, Zhang Xueying, Wang Pengyu, et al.Selection method between copper and aluminum power cable by life cycle cost[J]. Electric Power, 2018, 51(4): 168-174. [14] 李雷, 谢书鸿, 胡明, 等. 等传输容量铜、铝导体海缆技术经济性比较[J]. 中国电力, 2020, 53(7): 36-43. Li Lei, Xie Shuhong, Hu Ming, et al.Technical and economical performance comparison of copper and aluminum conductor submarine cables with equal transmission capacity[J]. Electric Power, 2020, 53(7): 36-43. [15] 孙璐, 乐彦杰, 阮天余, 等. 陆海段不等径海缆匹配方案与载流能力提升研究[J]. 浙江电力, 2022, 41(8): 80-86. Sun Lu, Le Yanjie, Ruan Tianyu, et al.Research on improvement of current carrying capacity of submarine cable based on unequal diameter matching of land and sea sections[J]. Zhejiang Electric Power, 2022, 41(8): 80-86. [16] 王贤灿, 官文彤. 220kV交流大截面海底电缆的设计选型[J]. 电线电缆, 2013(6): 24-27. Wang Xiancan, Guan Wentong.Typeselection of a large section AC 220 kV submarine cable[J]. Electric Wire & Cable, 2013(6): 24-27. [17] 吕安强, 寇欣, 尹成群, 等. 三芯海底电缆中复合光纤与导体温度关系建模[J]. 电工技术学报, 2016, 31(18): 59-65. Lü Anqiang, Kou Xin, Yin Chengqun, et al.Modeling of temperature relation between optical fiber and conductor in 3-core submarine power cable[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2016, 31(18): 59-65. [18] 梁永春. 高压电力电缆温度场和载流量评估研究动态[J]. 高电压技术, 2016, 42(4): 1142-1150. Liang Yongchun.Technological development in evaluating the temperature and ampacity of power cables[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2016, 42(4): 1142-1150. [19] 肖冬萍, 包杨, 杨帆, 等. 计及沉积物渗透性的捆绑式高压直流海底电缆载流量评估模型[J]. 中国电机工程学报, 2021, 41(14): 5066-5076. Xiao Dongping, Bao Yang, Yang Fan, et al.A model for estimating the ampacity of bundled HVDC submarine cables considering sediment permeability[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2021, 41(14): 5066-5076. [20] 徐翀, 王鹏博, 杨帆, 等. 三芯电缆中间接头压接缺陷多物理场及温度梯度场分析[J]. 高电压技术, 2024, 50(4): 1769-1780. Xu Chong, Wang Pengbo, Yang Fan, et al.Analysis of multi-physics field and temperature gradient field of crimping defects on intermediate joints on the three-core cable[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2024, 50(4): 1769-1780. [21] 刘士利, 罗英楠, 刘宗烨, 等. 基于电磁-热耦合原理的三芯铠装电缆在低频输电方式下的损耗特性研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2021, 36(22): 4829-4836. Liu Shili, Luo Yingnan, Liu Zongye, et al.Study on loss characteristics of three core armored cable under low-frequency transmission mode based on electro-magnetic, thermal coupling principle[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2021, 36(22): 4829-4836. [22] 祝贺, 何峻旭, 郑亚松, 等. 电缆终端应力锥错位缺陷对界面温度及应力分布的影响[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(1): 65-75. Zhu He, He Junxu, Zheng Yasong, et al.Influence of cable terminal stress cone dislocation defect on interface temperature and stress distribution[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2024, 39(1): 65-75. [23] 赵学风, 郝一帆, 黄国强, 等. 基于有限元仿真的土壤直埋电缆中间接头稳态载流量计算[J]. 高压电器, 2022, 58(3): 64-70, 85. Zhao Xuefeng, Hao Yifan, Huang Guoqiang, et al.Calculation on steady-state current carrying capacity of intermediate joint of direct buried cable based on the finite element simulation[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2022, 58(3): 64-70, 85. [24] 魏艳慧, 郑元浩, 龙海泳, 等. 绝缘层厚度对高压直流电缆电场和温度场分布的影响[J]. 电工技术学报, 2022, 37(15): 3932-3940. Wei Yanhui, Zheng Yuanhao, Long Haiyong, et al.Influence of insulation layer thickness on electric field and temperature field of HVDC cable[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2022, 37(15): 3932-3940. [25] 郝艳捧, 陈云, 阳林, 等. 高压直流海底电缆电-热-流多物理场耦合仿真[J]. 高电压技术, 2017, 43(11): 3534-3542. Hao Yanpeng, Chen Yun, Yang Lin, et al.Coupled simulation on electro-thermal-fluid multiple physical fields of HVDC submarine cable[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2017, 43(11): 3534-3542. [26] 陶贻青, 舒胜文, 董懿飞, 等. 基于多物理场的防爆盒对10kV三芯电缆中间接头温升影响研究[J]. 高压电器, 2023, 59(9): 268-275, 285. Tao Yiqing, Shu Shengwen, Dong Yifei, et al.Study on the influence of explosion-proof box on temperature rise of middle joint of 10 kV three-core cable based on multi-physical field[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2023, 59(9): 268-275, 285. [27] 杨其鹏. 考虑不同接头影响下的海底电缆温度场分析与载流量计算[D]. 重庆: 重庆大学, 2017. Yang Qipeng.Analysis of temperature field and calculation of ampacity of submarine power cable considering different joints[D]. Chongqing: Chongqing University, 2017. [28] 路志建, 常江, 白晓斌, 等. 电力电缆铝芯线与铜连接管的电磁焊接条件研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2023, 38(20): 5620-5633. Lu Zhijian, Chang Jiang, Bai Xiaobin, et al.Research on electromagnetic pulse welding conditions of aluminum core wire and copper connecting tube of power cable[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2023, 38(20): 5620-5633.
2025, Vol. 40 
