2025 Wind & Solar Integration Workshop in Berlin brought together industry leaders, system operators, and technology providers from around the world to discuss solutions enabling the efficient and reliable integration of wind and solar power into modern energy systems. Among the participants was Marius Hatlo from Unitech Power Systems, who presented the Unitech Cable Load Prediction System (CLPS) – a solution combining advanced thermal modeling and real-time data to optimize cable design, reduce costs, and increase flexibility in power grids.
There is a growing demand for renewable energy, and the plans for integrating wind and solar power are ambitious. This introduces new challenges related to system stability and the operation of grids with a high share of converter-based generation. To succeed, reliable and cost-effective solutions are essential.
As more renewable energy sources are integrated, individual lines and cables are exposed to greater load variations. The intermittency of renewable generation presents a challenge, but in the context of cable design and rating, it also offers an opportunity.
Intermittency can be leveraged to reduce costs by enabling more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure. Rather than relying solely on new cable and line construction, real-time dynamic rating and load prediction can unlock additional capacity and flexibility. This represents a promising alternative, or complement, to traditional grid expansion.
The Unitech Cable Load Prediction System (CLPS), presented at the workshop, exemplifies this opportunity. By combining high-fidelity thermal modeling with real-time temperature sensing, Unitech CLPS enables smarter cable designs and dynamic operation. It allows operators to safely reduce cable size and CAPEX on new cable projects, and improve asset utilization, under challenging conditions. It further reduces the risks related to uncertain or varying soil and burial conditions.
As demonstrated in both operational HVDC systems and offshore wind simulations, Unitech CLPS supports a shift from conservative assumptions to data-driven decision-making—unlocking significant cost savings while maintaining reliability. In a future dominated by variable renewables, tools like Unitech CLPS will be essential for building adaptive, efficient, and resilient power systems.
