About the project
This project will develop recyclable insulation materials for next-generation power transmission cables, offering a sustainable alternative to non-recyclable counterparts. You'll explore how material structure governs dielectric performance under high voltage, designing novel blends that could shape the future of long-distance electricity transmission.
Rising electricity demand and the need to connect remote renewable energy sources to the grid are driving rapid growth in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, with extruded HVDC cables emerging as a preferred solution for long-distance power transfer.
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) remains the industry-standard insulation material, but it has significant drawbacks: as a thermoset, it cannot be recycled at end of life, and the cross-linking process makes manufacturing complex and energy-intensive. Alternative insulation materials offer a route to lower manufacturing emissions and full recyclability, in line with the sustainability goals of the energy sector.
Polypropylene (PP) has recently attracted considerable interest from the cable industry as a recyclable thermoplastic insulation for HVDC applications. Developing PP-based blends with enhanced dielectric properties is now an active area of research, driven by the push towards ultra-high-voltage capability. This project will develop novel PP blends specifically designed for HVDC cable insulation.
You'll review the relevant literature, design and plan experimental programmes, manufacture lab-scale specimens, and evaluate their performance under realistic operating conditions. You'll also share your findings by publishing in high-impact journals, presenting at international conferences, and engaging with the wider research community. This is an exciting opportunity to advance power cable technology and help meet the challenges of a rapidly growing, increasingly renewable electricity system.
You'll join an interdisciplinary and diverse academic team in the Electrical Power Engineering research group that will support you in expanding your transferrable skills, such as critical review of the literature, academic writing and publishing, as well as collaborating with your team members and organising activities. You will acquire hands-on experience with testing facilities and operate state-of-the-art equipment in the Tony Davies High Voltage Lab (TDHVL) as part of your experimental research.
The School of Electronics and Computer Science is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
