SEASNAKE+ Industrial upscale of surface protection system & fibre optic-based condition monitoring for the SEASNAKE MVC (Medium Voltage Cables)

Research Project, 2024 – 2026

The main objective of SEASNAKE+ is to scale up and demonstrate (TRL6-7) the dynamic medium voltage cable (dMVC) with improved lifetime through; easy to clean paint; in-line/in-situ paint application chamber; use of underwater cleaning robot; new and scalable protection and monitoring system. SEASNAKE+ dMVC will be validated first on a smaller scale in nearshore conditions at two different locations (Swedish west coast and Mediterranean) and on a full scale in a real marine environment in the Mediterranean. SEASNAKE+ objectives and activities are based on lessons learned and proof-of-concept (TRL4) carried out within the previous SEASNAKE (OCEANERANET). SEASNAKE+ expands these efforts at European level as important gaps and opportunities have been identified during projects to scale up production and integrate the protection systems together with new sophisticated and innovative ways to measure cable movement (shape sense) and fault location in an integrated fibre optic solution.