Cross Shannon Cable

From survey to geohazards identification

Business Period Client Location
Energy 2018 - 2020 EirGrid Ireland

Challenge

EirGrid is the Transmission System Operator and Market Operator in the wholesale trading system in Ireland.

EirGrid planned to install a marine cable across the Shannon Estuary to connect existing substations at Moneypoint Co. Clare and Kilpaddoge Co. Kerry.

A marine survey was required to locate a suitable route which would permit burial of the single circuit 400 kV AC cable.

Multidisciplinary support to achieve the goal of locating a suitable route which permits burial of the single circuit cable, considering the submarine cable requirements.

Our project

RINA started with geophysical, environmental, and geotechnical survey, including landfall areas, to provide identification of obstructions, subsea facilities, and previously unrecorded archaeology for routing optimization.

Geotechnical properties of the surficial layers, including thermal conductivity, were derived based on a specific laboratory testing program and implemented in ad hoc alignment sheets along the cable routes.

Our metocean experts studied sand wave mobility based on detailed bathymetry collected on several blocks during periods of neap and spring tides. 

Conclusions

We are specialized in supporting submarine cable projects in all challenges, whether related to the cable specifics or the site details that have an impact on installation or protection methods.

Our know-how ensures that the most efficient and optimized system is chosen.

Paolo Ravaschio