Invited Seminar with Yeongseok Lim of LS Cable & System: Understanding HVDC Submarine Cables

Overview

About this event

On October 14, 2026, the Center hosted an industry expert seminar at Yonsei University featuring Senior Researcher Yeongseok Lim of LS Cable & System. Titled “Understanding HVDC Submarine Cables,” the seminar introduced domestic and international HVDC market trends and key submarine cable technologies supporting offshore wind integration, cross-border interconnections, and high-capacity, long-distance transmission.

The presentation explained the functions of major cable components, including conductors, semiconductive screens, insulation, metallic screens, and armor. Comparisons with underground cables highlighted the importance of water tightness, mechanical strength, and structural design that accounts for installation tension and bending. The session also introduced cable accessories, including factory joints and field repair joints.

The manufacturing overview covered wire drawing and stranding, insulation extrusion and cross-linking, degassing to remove cross-linking by-products, metallic sheathing, armoring, and loading onto vessels. Particular attention was given to process control for continuous production of long cable lengths and the management of insulation defects such as contaminants and voids. The seminar also outlined development, prequalification, type, and thermal stability tests used to assess cable system performance and long-term reliability.

The installation section addressed route selection, marine surveys, shore landing, cable laying and burial, and post-installation surveys. Practical examples illustrated route planning that considers seabed conditions, fishing activities, and shipping hazards, alongside the management of laying tension and burial depth. By connecting design, manufacturing, testing, and installation, the seminar provided an integrated view of the technologies supporting higher-voltage, higher-capacity, and longer-distance HVDC submarine cable systems.