Supergen ORE Hub Webinar Series: Testing the Critical Link - Physical Testing of Dynamic Power Cables

The power generated offshore is typically transported ashore via subsea power cables. In particular for floating installations, dynamic submarine power cables will be one of the most critical and exposed components, connecting the floating platform to static subsea export cables or floating export/production platforms.

Dynamic submarine power cables used in deeper waters need to support increased loads and handle the movement of the floating vessel or platform. They must also be able to tolerate fatigue associated with load changes that occur during their movement in the water column.

The structural characteristics of dynamic power cables are often approximated through numerical modelling, but to get precise measurements of key properties, mechanical testing of full-scale cables is essential, including testing axial stiffness and bending stiffness.

This webinar provides a brief review of typical test setups and recommended test practices. It also presents a case study and characteristic results of a mechanical cable test campaign, quantifying cable stiffness and fatigue. The example illustrates the value of mechanical testing to better inform both global hydrodynamic models with cable properties and to better calibrate local finite element analysis tools.

The webinar will be useful for researchers and practitioners concerned with the modelling, design and testing of submarine dynamic power cables. It will also be useful for project investors and underwriters to better understand the assurance testing of cables as a critical component.