Fast and reliable evaluation of transmission capacity in long HVAC Cables: an analytical approach

In this paper, a novel analytical formulation for estimating the active power transfer capability of long HVAC cables is presented. Specifically, the proposed method evaluates the maximum active power transfer, power losses, and the voltage drop for a given cable length. Moreover, it identifies the optimal supply voltage that maximizes active power transfer. The present approach relies on the PI-equivalent model of the cable; however, unlike commonly used techniques, it does not require iterative or numerical procedures, thereby simplifying and accelerating the computation. Given the increasing use of long HVAC cables—particularly for connecting offshore wind farms to mainland grids—this formulation offers a simple yet sufficiently accurate tool to support system design in rapidly assessing cable suitability, comparing alternatives, and identifying the HVAC–HVDC break-even distance during the early stages of system planning.