
Within the results from the 11th call for projects Clusters POWERMATE, labeled Pôle Mer Paca was selected among 83 projects clollaboratifs R & D.
Peter Weiss, project manager - responsible for business Comex says the blog with information on the new connector which was incorporated under the 11th call for proposals of Clusters. "POWERMATE is to develop and qualify a new concept system for make connections or disconnections "wet", that is to say made in immersion, and accepting the high power and medium voltage (> 10kV) produced by renewable energy, while reducing cost and improving reliability .
The idea is to develop an underwater connector "simplified", which, by cons, requires a specific tool for the connection. This architecture is doubly appealing because it removes the complexity of the side of the connector (many installed, maintenance and reliability problems with today's complex systems), and also allows use a connector more suited to high power and high voltages. The concept of this connector has already been a feasibility study and a patent, the proposed project's objective is now to develop a working prototype for applications ENR and test it in conditions close to reality.
We therefore expect to achieve a system that can be implemented from a medium-sized ROV, diver or a boat on the surface. The program includes testing of medium voltage connector under a stream of water and pressure in a box on how to test the various partners. Its ergonomics and maneuverability will be tested by ROV and diver in the pool and final tests at sea "
Thanks to the simplification of the mechanical system Powermate, the price of the connector will drop drastically. Remember that today the price of the connector is nearly 20% of the budget for a submarine power grid and therefore any significant decline in this position will have a positive impact on the cost of the whole. The simplification technique will also provide greater reliability, which in submarine equipment, is a key post.
For this project partners are the COMEX, CNRS, EDF and Subsea Tech. This project is certified
Pole Mer PACA.
Contact: Peter Weiss
Comex, based in Marseille, specializes in underwater activities and in all extreme environments: engineering, hyperbaric test center, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Contact: Stephan Beurthey
Originally Stephan Beutrthey Project Engineer, Head of Service: CPPM (Centre for Particle Physics) service mechanical design, manufacturing, production tests first prototype Antares km3 detector, underwater Neutrino Matrix 3D photomultipliers of the Laboratory of Astrophysics of Marseille, Dep.Mécanique-BE subsystems of observation instruments and land space - SNAP
JPAC is one of the laboratories of IN2P3 (National Institute of Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics - CNRS). The patent was filed in June 2009.
Contact: Michael Ollier
charge of energy from the sea - Pôle Mer PACA
Recall that the Comex, Jacques Rougerie and exposure on marine energy 3B Councils were partners of the General Council of Bouches Rhone in November and December last year for the exhibition "Journey to the Center of the Sea."
Sources: Government portal, COMEX, IN2P3 - CNRS