Background
In early 2015, the consortium bringing together FMGC, INNOSEA and the laboratory of the GEM (Civil Engineering and Mechanics of the University of Nantes), starts the IBOCS project to develop a solution optimizing the installation and stabilization of submarine cables thanks to the development of ballasting shells. This project is selected by S2E2 as part of the INNOV’PME program.
In 2017, the IBOCS project is the winner of the Funding Ocean Renewable Energy through Strategic European Action (FORESEA) program. And at the beginning of August 2018, three sections of test cables were deployed at a depth of 30 meters on the SEM-REV test site at Centrale Nantes: two sections of different linear masses, and a bare section.
FMGC and SEM-REV will conduct a comparative study of the displacement of these three sections under different current conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of ballasting shells to stabilize, protect and limit the curvature of submarine electrical cables.
Scientific advances and innovation
IBOCS ballasting shells must be able to stabilize and limit the curvature of submarine electrical cables, even during heavy swell conditions.
The deployment of the solution in the SEM-REV offshore test site must allow the device to be tested under conditions similar to those of an offshore wind farm, especially in the extreme conditions of winter.
A follow-up of the abrasion, the corrosion and the biological fouling of the cables will also be realized.
Expected technical and economic impact
Cast iron shells will be used to ballast underwater electrical cables, but also to protect them under heavy swell conditions. The expected impact is a significant reduction in the cost of electrical connection of EMR solutions, and therefore of the cost per kWh.
Key project milestones
- 2014 - Launch of the IBOCS project (first part)
- 2016 - End of the IBOCS project (firts part)
- 2017 - Launch of the IBOCS/FORESEA project (second part) : project to test the ballasting shells at the SEM-REV test site
- 2018 - Deployment of the ballasting shells at the SEM-REV site
