Sapei
Encyclopedia
SAPEI, is a high-voltage direct current power transmission system that connects Sardinia
with the Italian mainland
. The submarine cable from Fiume Santo to Latina runs at 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft) below sea level in the Tyrrhenian Sea
. It is the deepest submarine cable
in the world. The cable is owned and operated by Terna
.
and Fiume Santo entered into operation. Laying of the second submarine cable was scheduled for the end of 2010. The submarine cable-laying activity was being carried out by the Giulio Verne, the largest cable-laying ship in the world. The cable was inaugurated on 17 March 2011.
and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) land cables. It has two poles, having a total capacity of 1,000 megawatt at 500 kV of voltage. The diameter of the submarine cable is 120 millimetres (4.7 in). It is connected to the alternative current grid through converter stations in Fiume Santo and Latina at 400 kV of voltage. The substation in Latina extends over a surface area of 35000 square metres (41,859.7 sq yd), the one in Fiume Santo of 48000 square metres (57,407.5 sq yd). The cable was manufactured by Prysmian
and converter stations were manufactured by ABB. The project cost over €730 million.
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
with the Italian mainland
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The submarine cable from Fiume Santo to Latina runs at 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft) below sea level in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy.-Geography:The sea is bounded by Corsica and Sardinia , Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Calabria and Sicily ....
. It is the deepest submarine cable
Submarine cable
Submarine cable may refer to:*Submarine communications cable*Submarine power cable...
in the world. The cable is owned and operated by Terna
Terna (company)
Terna S.p.A. - Rete Elettrica Nazionale is a company based in Rome which owns and operates around 98% of the Italian high-voltage power transmission grid. Formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Enel, the company was IPO-ed in 2004. Enel continues to hold around 5% of the firm, with the major...
.
History
The project was launched in 2006. Scientific surveys and studies of the sea floor began soon after. The first submarine cable as also onshore cables was laid in 2008 and the first voltage tests were conducted. In 2009, the converter stations in LatinaLatina
Latina is the feminine form of the term Latino.Latina may also refer to:*Province of Latina, a province in Latium , Italy**Latina, Lazio, the capital of the province of Latina**Latina Nuclear Power Plant*Latina , a district of Madrid...
and Fiume Santo entered into operation. Laying of the second submarine cable was scheduled for the end of 2010. The submarine cable-laying activity was being carried out by the Giulio Verne, the largest cable-laying ship in the world. The cable was inaugurated on 17 March 2011.
Description
The system consists of a 420 kilometres (261 mi) long submarine cableSubmarine cable
Submarine cable may refer to:*Submarine communications cable*Submarine power cable...
and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) land cables. It has two poles, having a total capacity of 1,000 megawatt at 500 kV of voltage. The diameter of the submarine cable is 120 millimetres (4.7 in). It is connected to the alternative current grid through converter stations in Fiume Santo and Latina at 400 kV of voltage. The substation in Latina extends over a surface area of 35000 square metres (41,859.7 sq yd), the one in Fiume Santo of 48000 square metres (57,407.5 sq yd). The cable was manufactured by Prysmian
Prysmian
Prysmian is an Italian-based multinational corporation headquartered in Milan and listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, manufacturing and laying cables for the energy and telecommunications sectors, it's the market leader, also thanks to the acquisition of Draka Holding...
and converter stations were manufactured by ABB. The project cost over €730 million.
See also
- SACOI, the old HVDC link between Sardinia across Corsica to the Italian mainland.