INSIGHT 2|2019

17 Submarine interconnection trends are driving suppliers towards higher transmission capacity, therefore higher voltage and bigger conductors, and at the other end, installations in greater water depths. Prysmian Group has reached significant results in both areas thanks to advanced submarine cable designs using aramid armor. A successfully completed qualification of two new 525 kV HVDC cable technologies based on XLPE and P-Laser insulated cable systems. P-Laser superior performance offers the best solution for HVDC transmission. E3X technology is the utility industry’s first heat-dissipating overhead conductor innovation featuring a thin, durable coating that can be applied to the surface of any overhead conductor. In 2018, we achieved a complete solar product range optimisation and harmonisation at global level. Wind tower cable systems were developed and successfully launched to reduce the amount of manpower needed in the field during installations. A full range of products for electric vehicles is in the development phase, including fast-charging cables. Sensors with related electronics or other added-value features are deployed in heavy-duty cables such as crane PROTOLON (iQ) and high-visibility mining cables. We successfully developed the first copper-based solution for Cat5e-compliant ethernet inside travelling cables. Two main products have been developed and implemented. The first is designed to apply the ‘PRY-CAMGate’ concept to HVDC connections with permanent monitoring systems. The second consists of the new Graphical User Interface (GUI), to manage all the information acquired by PRY-CAM products on a unique platform. FlexRibbon™products have been launched, designed to maximise fibre density and duct space utilisation. MassLink™with FlexRibbon™ technology products pack the maximum fibre count (up to 6912 F) into the smallest cable possible. The industry’s smallest diameter and most advanced 10 Gb Category 6A cables were introduced in 2018 for our North American customers. world” notes Siripurapu. Prysmian has long been the innovation leader in high-voltage submarine cable systems and fibre optic cables. Acquiring General Cable has created a strong position in advanced overhead transmission and data communication cable technologies also. Another relevant advantage of the integration is the increased footprint of university relationships. Prysmian has agreements with some of Europe’s leading universities and research institutes, such as Politecnico di Milano, while General Cable has similar accords with leading US institutions like Purdue University. The integration means that Prysmian Group now has a relationship with 50 world-class universities. These partnerships help scout emerging technologies andcontinue to strengthen competency in our long-term innovation platforms. Lastly, this year the Group has launched a ‘Global Innovation Contest’ for its employees to suggest ideas that have the potential to strengthen the business. “We want to harness the potential of our people and give them a voice to share innovations,” says Siripurapu. “We want to motivate people to truly listen to customers and to not be afraid of taking risks around innovation. Our mantra in R&D is to be close to customers, and don’t be afraid to stick your neck out. Your idea can change the future of the company”. Srinivas Siripurapu , EVP and Chief Research & Development Officer at Prysmian Group Our combined company now boasts the broadest product portfolio in any part of the world. HERE ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR RECENT R&D INNOVATIONS. Submarine Cables Terrestrial Cables Overhead Lines Industrial Cables Elevator Cables Prysmian Electronics Optical Cables Data Communication Cables FOCUS ON