A versatile cable insulation for MV, HVAC and HVDC systems: return of experience and current applications of HPTE

HPTE insulated cables represent a well-known alternative to traditional cables insulated with cross-linkable materials for applications both in AC and DC fields. Superior performances can be achieved for cables with HPTE insulation, mainly thanks to its intrinsic characteristics, linked to the thermoplastic nature of this polypropylene (PP) based insulation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on the use of HPTE insulated MV cables in the European and Italian market; to provide also a return of experience of an almost 10 years old Italian project of HVAC cable with HPTE insulation, and how extensive DC testing positive results, including sustained polarity reversal testing at 350kV voltage class and above), allowed to use this new insulation material in three major HVDC projects recently awarded.