WCA September 2013

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2013
Hydro Group, Aberdeen, UK-based
global designer and manufacturer of
underwater cables and connectors for
subsea, underwater, topside and
onshore applications, invested
£300,000 into research and
development in 2012, and has now
developed the 36kV Dry Mate Hydro
Bond Renewable Connector (HRC).
Doug Whyte, managing director, said:
“The new connector is a significant
advance on our previous product, the
HRC 12kV, with an impressive
reduction in installation time from 24
hours to less than 12 hours, and its
ability to carry three times more
power.”
The reduced installation time means
the 36kV Dry Mate HRC is a lower risk,
more cost-effective and safer option,
due to the reduction in offshore man
hours. The connector has a 25-year
operational lifespan and the ability to
work at water depths of 100m and
temperatures of -4oC to over 25oC.
“The advancement of systems in the
offshore renewable sector is at an
incredibly progressive and evolving
phase. There are, however, currently
no standard interconnect products
defined within this market. Being first
to develop any innovative product is
always challenging, but the team at
Hydro Group have taken advantage of
this gap in the market, and established
a forefront position in this area –
providing extremely rewarding results,”
added Mr Whyte.
The success of Hydro Group’s existing
HRC product line means the new
connector is being considered for a
number of projects currently under
development. These all involve
submerged interconnection with
varying detail regarding systems
architecture, but a common need for
underwater interconnection with the
ability to carry increasingly higher
levels of power.
The group plans to continue its strong
level of investment into the
development of HV connection
infrastructure in order to enhance
connection technology for subsea
connection of offshore energy
networks. This continued progression
aims to help contribute to Hydro
Group maintaining a leading position
as a supplier of appropriate
technology for the emergent
applications.
Hydro Group’s cable and connectivity
solutions are developed to withstand
the harshest environmental conditions,
including salt water, solar effects,
storm force winds and dynamic tidal
and wave motion. These factors place
extreme loads on the subsea systems,
connectors and cables, resulting in the
company’s connectors being designed
and manufactured for flexibility and
environmental endurance.
Hydro Group Plc – UK
Website:
Research pays off for Hydro
❍
❍ Managing director Doug Whyte