About the project
High-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables are critical for connecting offshore wind farms and renewable energy grids, yet current insulation materials like XLPE are difficult to recycle and prone to space-charge ageing. This project pioneers recyclable polypropylene with engineered materials to overcome these challenges, creating greener, longer-lasting, and more efficient insulation systems.
Modern high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission networks are vital for integrating offshore wind and renewable power into future energy systems. However, today’s cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation used in HVDC cables is non-recyclable and susceptible to space-charge accumulation, limiting lifetime and sustainability. This project, based within the Doctoral Centre for Advanced Electrical Power Engineering, addresses these critical challenges by developing sustainable engineered recyclable polypropylene (PP) as next-generation HVDC insulation materials.
The research will investigate how materials design, and additive chemistry, influence charge transport, breakdown strength, and thermal endurance of the dielectric materials. Advanced diagnostics, such as pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) and thermally conductivity measurements, will be used to characterise charge dynamics under realistic DC field and temperature conditions. The intended outcome is a new class of sustainable thermoplastic dielectrics that combine excellent electrical performance with full recyclability, supporting a circular economy and aligning with global net-zero goals.
You’ll explore how material properties influence electrical performance, sustainability, and manufacturability, using advanced diagnostics methods. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the next generation of sustainable high-voltage materials driving the global energy transition. The project offers strong industry engagement, including collaboration opportunities with HV cable manufacturers and access to state-of-the-art high-voltage testing laboratories. You'll gain multidisciplinary training in polymer processing, dielectric physics, and high-voltage testing, supported by experts in materials science and electrical engineering.
