Export Cabling System Installation Methodology

For details of the code implementation, please see Export Cable Installation API.

Overview

The ExportCableInstallation module simulates the installation of the cables between the offshore substation and the grid connection. Many processes in this installation phase are similar to those in the array cable installation module, however the cable distances and process times are often much greater.

Input Structure

The design of the input data structure for this module is the same as the array cable installation module. An example export system can be seen in the code block below.

{
    'export_system': {
        'cables': {'XLPE_500mm_33kV': {
            'cable_sections': [
                 (35, 2),  # There are two 35km export cables to install
            ],
            'linear_density': 35
        }
    }
}

Note

The above data structure can be input directly by the user, or can be a result of running the ExportSystemDesign module.

Configuration

ORBIT considers the same possible installation strategies for array and export cable systems. Please see this section for the different installation methods available.

Processes

Onshore Processes

At landfall, the cable must be pulled up onto shore, tested and terminated at the grid connection point and buried. These processes utilize the following inputs.

Process	Key	Default
Dig Trench	`trench_dig_speed`	0.1 km/hr
Tow Plow	`tow_plow_speed`	5 km/hr
Pull in Winch	`pull_winch_speed`	5 km/hr
Pull in Cable	`cable_pull_in_time`	5.5h
Test Cable	`cable_termination_time`	5.5h

A detailed description of these processes is provided in the ORBIT technical documentation.

Offshore Processes

The offshore installation process utilize the same configurable speeds as the array system installation:

Strategy	Key	Default
Lay/Bury Cable	`cable_lay_bury_speed`	0.3 km/hr
Lay Cable	`cable_lay_speed`	1 km/hr
Bury Cable	`cable_bury_speed`	0.5 km/hr

Note

The cable lengths for an export system are typically much longer than the array system and thhere is the possibility that a cable splice will be needed. The time for splicing a cable can be configured by the user using the cable_splice_time key, which defaults to 48h.

Configuration Examples

Coming soon!