Abstract
Concerns have been raised by stakeholders regarding heat generated by transmission cables in offshore wind farms. Offshore wind farms use a range of cable sizes, voltage levels, and cable types depending on the location and arrangement of the wind farm. Most wind farms bury cables to protect them from boat anchors and fishing operations. The effect of heat from buried transmission cables is influenced by many ranging factors, including submarine terrain, sediment type, water depth, water temperature, and species composition. Many elements in concert make a definitive description of effects from heat radiating from submarine high voltage transmission cables very challenging. Research has been conducted investigating heat transmission through submarine sediment and impacts to sediment dwelling marine life from heated submarine cables, but the overall body of research is limited.
This paper provides information about heat generated by electricity and electrical transmission, the use of buried cables for transmission of electricity, heat generated by buried submarine transmission cables, and what is currently known about the effects to undersea life from the heat generated from buried cables. As more offshore wind farms are developed, further research may illuminate deeper levels of information about how cable heat affects sediment dwelling communities. Based on the current research, studies show that the effects of heat on most sediment and seafloor dwelling species overall are low.