Wind Energy
CTS technology can be used for efficient grid connections from onshore and offshore wind farms.
"2023 should be the very first year to exceed 100GW of new capacity added globally.
"GWEC Market Intelligence forecasts 680 GW of new capacity in the next five years (2023-27)."
GWEC Global Wind Report
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), 2023
Wind energy is being developed onshore and offshore and, in both situations, is often distant from an existing substation and connected by cable.
Additionally, individual wind turbines are interconnected by so-called array cables that can run for dozens of kilometres within wind farms.
CTS can play a significant role in accommodating the connection of wind resources.
Many countries worldwide consider wind energy as a key energy source for decarbonisation. In the UK, the government has been increasing its ambition for offshore wind energy each year, announcing goals to deliver 50GW by 2030.
The world must install around 1,700 GW of new wind energy capacity between 2021-2030.
Christopher Guerin, CEO, Nexans, estimates that each GW of additional offshore wind power requires €250 million of inter-array and export cable. That means that by 2030, the annual value of cable for offshore wind will be €8.9 billion (per year) and by 2040 will be €11.7 billion.
Benefits of CTS for Wind Energy
CTS lowers transmission losses by up to 20% while increasing revenue and delivering more value to wind developers.
A lower cross-section reduces current leakage that often limits cable utilisation during low wind speed – this can increase the wind farm’s annual output by up to 20%.
When wind power integrates with offshore loads such as oil and gas or carbon capture and storage, CTS removes requirements for power factor correction, thus reducing the amount of equipment on platforms and, therefore, maintenance needs.
Using less copper reduces the carbon footprint of wind energy and preserves the environment that mining minerals could damage.
CTS cable can provide the same power by lower cross-section, reducing cable costs by up to 30% and reducing CO2 emissions.
Offshore wind power exported by high voltage CTS cable can deliver power by AC cost-effectively, avoiding expensive and high-maintenance HVDC converters.
Lower heat losses reduce thermal effects on marine life and the environment, speeding up the consent process.