){kind=logo}
11 Mar 2025
Experience the future of high-voltage cabling in tunnel systems live
Hivoduct offers the opportunity to experience the future of high-voltage cabling in tunnel systems live. This innovative technology represents a significant advancement in safe, sustainable, and efficient energy transmission.
The Swiss company Hivoduct develops and manufactures "pressurized air cables" for low-loss electrical energy transmission in medium and high-voltage ranges. This technology uses pressurized air as an insulating medium, along with a screwless flange connection. Unlike gas-insulated lines (GIL/GIS), pressurized air cables do not require PFAS gases such as SF₆, making them particularly environmentally friendly and safe. Pressurized air cables can replace high-voltage overhead lines, underground cables, and busbars from medium to extra-high-voltage applications – efficiently, sustainably, and future-proof.
With a unique combination of electrical, mechanical and thermal properties, pressurized air cables are setting new standards in energy infrastructure for future projects. In particular, they are ideally suited for the co-use of existing tunnels of other linear infrastructures, thus significantly eliminating the need for extensive excavation work and new routes. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas, where space is limited, and the installation of new overhead lines might face resistance. By installing them in protected tunnel areas, pressurized air cables are also protected from external influences such as storms or vandalism.
Another highlight of this technology is the innovative design of the aluminum pipes. Hivoduct uses highly conductive aluminum pipes with large conductor cross-sections of up to 5000 mm². At a nominal voltage of 245 kV, a single system already allows a power transmission up to 1600 MW. Compared to conventional overhead lines, losses per kilometer are up to five times lower. The product portfolio covers the complete range from medium voltage to high-voltage (12 kV to 420 kV).
In addition to straight pipes, the component portfolio also includes flexible components and (any) fixed angle pieces. This allows following 90° angles without loss of space, significantly increasing flexibility for installations in buildings or complex tunnel systems. This feature enables optimal adaptation to existing structures and makes the system particularly versatile.
Overall, pressurized air cables represent a significant advance in energy transmission. The combination of efficient installation through the screwless flange system, space-saving installation, increased safety, minimal transmission losses, and flexible adaptation to existing infrastructures makes this technology a promising solution for the energy supply of the future. As the world continues to move toward sustainable and efficient energy supply, systems like those from Hivoduct could play a key role in supporting and accelerating this transformation.