Prysmian P-Laser 525 kV first recyclable HVDC cable

Prysmian Group, a developer of energy and telecom cable systems, is launching a cable technology for the development of power transmission grids that will ensure better environmental sustainability, higher electrical performance and lower costs. The Group announces today the successful development and testing of its new P-Laser 525 kV cable system for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) applications.

P-Laser is the name given to what the company calls the most advanced and innovative technology that permits a more efficient cable production with lower environmental impact than traditional XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene). It’s manufactured in a single and continuous process and requires no chemical reactions to achieve the properties required for the long term electrical integrity of HVDC insulation systems. This feature gives the benefit of shorter production times and results in both reduced energy consumption as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions. P-Laser is particularly suitable for HVDC applications, moreover, it is the first HVDC cable that can be fully recycled at system en-of-life.

P-Laser technology is compatible with existing cable and accessory technologies, provides better electrical performance and a higher material integrity for HVDC in comparison to traditional XLPE-insulated cables. From an efficiency perspective, P-Laser technology has higher thermal performance properties, which increase the power transmission capability of the cable system for a given conductor size, thereby enabling average overall cost reductions of approximately 10% per transmitted MW.

P-Laser application to HVDC underground and submarine systems marks a world first in the cable industry. This milestone achievement follows the Group’s recent announcement of the successful testing of the XLPE extruded cable solution at the same voltage level (525 kVdc) in December 2015.