Underground cables for moving gigawatts

High-power electricity cables with transfers in the gigawatt range have their own special characteristics which separate them from lower voltage distribution cables and domestic wiring. The larger size exacerbates features and problems such as mechanical handling and, particularly, heating effects. This article, based on the 36th Hunter Memorial Lecture, measures progress over the 25 years since the 11th Hunter Memorial Lecture in 1969. The author discusses cable installation and then describe underground cable construction. The new dielectric materials now available for underground cables, and in particular polyethylene/XLPE, are discussed. Superconducting cables are discussed as are DC cables.<>