The Problem of the Estimation of the End of Life of HVDC Cable Systems: the Influence of Laying Environment, Operational Duty and Cable Technologies

In this paper, the main issues associated with the end of life of HVDC cable systems when accounting for the influence of cable laying environment, operational duty and different cable technologies are illustrated. The paper shows that an in-depth dedicated research activity is needed to solve these issues, in order that the current striking development of HVDC cable systems can go further in the future. This is important also because HVDC cable technologies have been singled out as a fundamental tool to increase the penetration of renewables in the electrical energy marked, so as to foster the green transition. These issues have also been treated in the framework of a long-lasting cooperation between the Roma La Sapienza University and the University of Bologna, which then became a partnership between TERNA and the University of Bologna, eventually including the EnSiEl consortium.