August 06, 2020
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Sumitomo Electric Completes Type Approval Test for 525kV
DC Gas Insulated Switchgear Interface with Siemens Energyand Südkabel
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. is pleased to announce the successful
completion of the world’s first type approval test on its 525 kV direct-current (DC)cable system with a DC gas insulated switchgear (DC GIS) interface in accordancewith CIGRE*1 TB496 under the technical collaboration with Siemens Energy andGerman cable supplier Südkabel GmbH.
Withmorepenetration,

renewableenergymulti-terminalDCinterconnectors will be a desirable
option for robust power networks.
DC GIS provide a compact solution,
especiallyforconnecting

high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cablelines to offshore converter platforms
and onshore transition stations.
Sumitomo Electric has devised a 525
kV DC cross-linked polyethylene(XLPE) cable*2 , while Siemens
Energy has developed a DC GIS
component.

Thesecompanies

decided to carry out a collaborative
type approval test at Mannheim
laboratories of KEMA Labs, a CESI
brand in Germany. Südkabel supplied its DC XLPE cable using Sumitomo Electric’s DC
XLPE compound materials and connected it to Sumitomo Electric’s XLPE cable andjoints. These cables were plugged into Siemens’ DC GIS compartment via DC GIS

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terminations.
The collaborative test results showed the conformity of the 525 kV DC cable system andthe DC GIS interface in accordance with CIGRE TB496. Südkabel’s cables were also
proved to have compatibility to Sumitomo Electric’s cable, while subsequent destructive
tests, including polarity reversal condition tests, showed the both cable systems havesufficient design margins up to Uo = 640 kV level.
Sumitomo Electric has been leading the international power cable industry with its HVDCXLPE insulation technology. In 2019, Sumitomo Electric was commissioned for theNEMO project, connecting UK and Belgium with 400 kV HVDC cable system. Sumitomo
Electric has also secured the Corridor A-Nord Project, laying 525 kV HVDC undergroundcable in Germany.
*1 XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene. Conventionally, mass impregnated cables
using highly viscous insulation oil have been utilised for HVDC projects. In recent years,
XLPE insulated cables have been commonly adopted by the market due to their highallowable operating temperature and growing environmental concerns.
*2 CIGRE, stablished in 1921 in Paris, France, is a global community committed to thecollaborative development and sharing of power system expertise. The community
features thousands of professionals from over 90 countries and 1250 member
organisations, including some of the world’s leading experts.
About Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. was established in 1897. Since then, based on electric
wire and cable manufacturing technologies, we have conducted our original researchand development and strenuously strived for the establishment of new businesses.
These efforts have allowed us to create new products and new technologies, as well as
diversify our business fields. Currently, we operate our businesses on a global basis in
the following five segments: Automotive; Info-communications; Electronics; Environment& Energy; and Industrial Materials. We have been contributing to society throughenvironmental friendly and fair business activities globally. Further information is2/3

available here http://global-sei.com/.
About Südkabel GmbH
Südkabel GmbH, based in Mannheim, specializes in the manufacture of Medium-voltage,High-voltage and Extra High-Voltage XLPE insulated power cables and cableaccessories, as well as in installation and services. Founded in 1898 Südkabel is one of
the most experienced supplier of cable systems up to 525kV including planning andengineering with a track record of more than 1500km 400/500kV XLPE cables and morethan 3000 accessories installed worldwide.
Reference:
The Leading Company for High Voltage Cable and Overhead Conductor
https://global-sei.com/power-cable-business/
Sumitomo Electric's Website
https://sumitomoelectric.com/
Press release May 11, 2020
Sumitomo Electric secures >€500M "Corridor A-Nord" High Voltage DC Underground
Cable Project in Germany which sets new innovative benchmarks in the HVDC Industry
https://global-sei.com/company/press/2020/prs043.pdf

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