REDSUB: Electric network to support experimentation and testing of new technologies using marine energy resources to generate electricity and for the connection of technologies for observation at increasing depths.

The project “Electrical network to support experimentation and testing of new technologies that use marine energy resources to generate electricity and for the connection of technologies for observation at increasing depths (REDSUB)” consists of carrying out a series of activities ranging from the design, acquisition and installation to the implementation of a marine-terrestrial electrical and data network in the maritime-terrestrial public domain area reserved for the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and entrusted to the PLOCAN Consortium for its management.

The electrical system to be installed consists of medium voltage cabling and will be designed, equipped and sized to evacuate to ground, up to an initial maximum capacity of 15MW. For the most part, it will consist of underwater cabling, connectors and auxiliary electrical equipment (marine electrical system), which will be laid from PLOCAN’s reserve area at sea to the switching and protection centre, located on the coast, which will provide electrical protection between the 13.2kV park and the devices connected at sea. At this centre, the transition will be made from submarine to terrestrial cabling, which will be connected to an onshore substation for the evacuation of electricity to the transmission grid (terrestrial electricity system).

The main function of the electrical and communications infrastructure is to evacuate and deliver the electrical power generated in the test bed to the transmission grid, as well as the transmission of real-time data for further processing and analysis in a ground control centre. This function is essential for the test bed, as without a connection to the electricity grid it is not possible to evacuate the energy generated, nor to experience the effects and incidences that events in the marine environment may induce in the offshore energy generation prototypes to be tested, which is the basic objective of the test bed.

The REDSUB project consists of a single action, in line with the achievement of the objectives that PLOCAN has set itself in its Scientific-Technical project as a marine ICTS. This action encompasses the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the submarine-terrestrial electricity and communications network. This system consists of two clearly distinguishable elements: (1) the marine electricity system and (2) the terrestrial electricity system.

• This element is mainly based on the design, procurement, testing, installation and commissioning of the marine power grid for the evacuation of offshore generated energy. It consists of two hybrid submarine electrical cables (power, communications and direct current supply) with the same technical and constructive characteristics, although they have different lengths and laying routes; the submarine connectors necessary to connect the equipment to the marine network, as well as all the auxiliary electrical elements and equipment with their respective marine activities, studies and works, which ensure the correct and complete operation of the REDSUB electrical system.
• This element is mainly based on the design, procurement, testing, installation and commissioning of the onshore grid for the connection of the infrastructure from the switching centre to the 66kV substation. It consists of three-phase alternating current electrical wiring, direct current electrical wiring and fibre optic wiring, a power transformer, electrical protection for these installations, as well as all those auxiliary electrical elements and equipment with their respective land-based actions, studies and works, necessary for the correct and complete operation of the REDSUB electrical system.

Likewise, a series of dissemination and publicity activities are foreseen for the whole project, in compliance with the applicable ERDF regulations.

The construction is financed by a grant awarded by the Operational Programme for Intelligent Growth 2014-2020 and by the call for aid for Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS) of the State Sub-programme for Scientific and Technical Infrastructures and Equipment, within the framework of the State Programme for the Promotion of Scientific and Technical Research of Excellence of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2013-2016.