High Power Density, Cost-Effective HVDC Cables for Power Transmission on the Moon

The need for lunar surface power is expected to grow to megawatt levels, which is in line with NASA's objective of building a long-term human presence on the moon that can house more than 100 people. As humanity seeks to establish a long-term presence on the moon and construct lunar habitats or bases, the importance of efficient and dependable power transmission on the moon becomes crucial. Power lines of varied lengths and power transfer capacities are needed for a lunar-based power system to link the various power generation, energy storage, and load facilities dispersed over the lunar surface. Developing power lines with high power density, while considering weight, volume, safety, cost-effectiveness, and reliability in the harsh lunar environment, poses a significant challenge. Three potential locations for power lines on the lunar surface can be considered: above the surface, on the surface, or below the surface. The extreme lunar environment, characterized by factors such as temperature variation, micrometeoroid bombardment, and ionizing radiation, limits the effectiveness of the first two methods for power transfer on the moon. Underground deployment offers both safety and convenience. Using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, this work proposes a novel method for designing and assessing affordable bipolar HVDC cables for power transmission below the lunar surface with an emphasis on its electrical insulation difficulties. At a voltage level of up to ±10 kV, the cables are intended to transfer power at two different levels: medium power (500 kW), and high power (1 MW). These specially designed cables offer a viable solution for power transmission on the moon, as they are capable of functioning effectively in harsh lunar conditions.