Thermal Behaviour of Low Voltage Cables in Smart Grid - Related Environments

Low voltage cables in distribution grids will operate under harmful conditions more often in the near future, due to the integration of renewable energy sources and the addition of powerful consumption appliances. It is crucial to evaluate smart solutions that can prolong cable lifetime. Because most knowledge about thermal behaviour of cables has been collected in the medium and high voltage grids, it is also important to study, in real-world circumstances, the precise thermal reaction of low voltage cables to novel types of usage spikes and to protection mechanisms. We emulated a low voltage cable of a Dutch neighbourhood in a laboratory and conducted several overheating experiments for multiple hours. One scenario involved the usage of a smart battery with a control algorithm for the protection of the cable from overheating. We report on results of systematically varying currents and cable insulation. We demonstrate the positive effect of regular interruptions of high currents on cable temperature and that even a small battery (e.g. a used EV battery) can make a significant contribution to the reduction of overheating.