Cable diagnostics methods for determining degradation caused by renewable energy production

Abstract

The effects of increasing renewable energy production in grids including power cables has not previously been sufficiently investigated. Employing power cables originally designed for use in distribution networks for connecting renewable energy units into the energy system may cause problems, which have been observed in previous investigations. In order to study these effects, a number of cable testing methods must be applied. The purpose of this paper is to describe the possible effects of unconventional energy production on cable systems and list the various methods applicable in identifying and preventing cable failures. A long-term goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of cable system behavior in the presence of renewable power generation and how the reliability of cable systems could be increased.