Recycled concrete aggregates as a backfill for underground power cables

Recycled concrete aggregates as a backfill for underground power cables

Sweden is rapidly integrating renewable energy systems such as windpower into the national electricity grid, mostly connected by underground cables. The cables need to be buried in trenches containing fine aggregate fractions needed to dissipate heat generated from the cables to prevent a thermal collapse. This prestudy has the potential to create a network of industrial stakeholders and companies interested in industrial symbiosis: by using concrete waste from the construction industry as backfill material for power cables from renewable energy sources.

The research study contributes to the upskilling of stakeholders and the expanding infrastructure for sources of renewable energy.

This prestudy is financed by Boråsregionen. A bachelor's degree project in relation to the prestudy is being pursued in collaboration with the companies Swerock and Temakon AB.