1Former Chief Engineer, Central Electricity Authority
2Former Executive Director, Power Grid Corp. of India
Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) has been the cornerstone of underground EHV cable insulation for decades, offering high dielectric strength and thermal stability. However, challenges such as water treeing, partial discharge activity, and thermal limitations persist. Recent research into nanocomposite XLPE, incorporating nanoparticles such as silica, alumina, titania, clay, and carbon nanotubes, has demonstrated significant improvements in dielectric endurance, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength.
This paper synthesizes global research innovations, comparative performance data, and country wise development status, highlighting the industrial potential of nanocomposite XLPE for next generation underground transmission systems in USA, Europe, India, etc..
Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE), Nanocomposite, Nanoparticles, Improvement dielelctric endurance, Thermal conductivitty, Partial discharge