Heat dissipation of underground power cables
Power cables heat up during operation. The more electricity flows through them, the more the cable heats up until it eventually exceeds its thermal capacity. Therefore, the maximum load of an underground power cable depends on how effectively heat is dissipated into the subsurface. Simulations of thermal behavior in the subsurface can provide insights into the allowable cable load and whether a specific bedding arrangement is beneficial. Conversely, optimization-driven simulations can determine the spacing between cables in a bedding channel at which a given cable's maximum temperature limit is still met.
By dissipating the heat released during the operation of underground power cables into the surrounding subsurface, the temperature of the surrounding ground increases, potentially leading to negative effects on soil flora, fauna, and vegetation. Thermal simulations allow for the calculation of temperature increases in the surrounding soil, which can be used as input parameters to estimate the associated consequences.