NEDO selects MOL for “Research and development of a multi purpose and multi terminal hIGH voltage direct current Transmission system”

June 29, 2023

CG rendering of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) performing cable-burying operations (Source: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd.)

Boosting Renewable Energy through New Technology for Cable Laying Support Vessel

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that the company has been selected by the Japanese government’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization for a project of the research and development of a multi-purpose and multi-terminal hIGH voltage direct current Transmission system (RIGHT Project).

It is necessary to strengthen the nation’s power system to transmit electricity from Hokkaido and the coast of the Sea of Japan, which are suitable for offshore wind power generation, to areas with great demand for electricity, so long-distance transmission methods using ocean routes are considered promising.

In this project, MOL, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Furukawa Electric and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha will jointly develop a method for power transmission cables and a vessel for laying and splicing power transmission cables.

MOL is in charge of developing vessels (cable splicing vessels) to splice transmission cables over long distances and support vessels (cable burying support vessels) for burying cables in the seabed to prevent damage. Based on its experience in DC subsea power transmission cable technology, MOL will contribute to the development of domestic offshore wind power-related businesses and the achievement of the renewable energy ratio in 2030 (around 36%-38%) as set forth in the Japanese government’s “Sixth Strategic Energy Plan.”

In line with the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2,” the group will contribute to the stable supply of renewable energy to create a sustainable world, and promote the reduction of various impacts on the global environment, such as the protection of natural capital and biodiversity, and addressing climate change

Selected Themes

(1) Project name:
Research and development of a multi-purpose and multi-terminal hIGH voltage direct current Transmission system (RIGHT Project)
Research and development of methods for cable protection pipe installation, etc. and research and development of underlying technology for new cable laying vessels, etc.

(2) Budget: About ¥1.0 billion (FY2023)

(3) Period: FY2023 ~ FY2025 (planned)

(4) Project member companies:
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha

(5) Details/Tasks

Theme			Responsibility
1. Development of cable protection pipe installation method, etc.	① Development of protection method	Development of construction method to protect pipes	Sumitomo Electric Industries
	① Development of protection method	Development of deep-water crushed stone feeding equipment	Furukawa Electric
	② Development of long distance cable monitoring technology		Sumitomo Electric Industries
	③ Offshore technology verification		Sumitomo Electric Industries Furukawa Electric
2. Development of underlying technology for cable laying support vessels, etc.	① Development of cable-laying vessels		NYK Sumitomo Electric Industries,
	② Development of splicing vessel/cable laying support vessels		MOL Furukawa Electric
3. Survey on common underlying technology, etc.	① Examination of test methods		Furukawa Electric Sumitomo Electric Industries
3. Survey on common underlying technology, etc.	② Overseas survey		Sumitomo Electric Industries