High-voltage power cables used in smelters and desalination plants are critical components in industrial settings. These facilities demand massive amounts of electrical energy to sustain their operations. While high-voltage power cables are designed to handle high currents and efficiently transmit electricity over long distances, they encounter several unique challenges when deployed in harsh environments like aluminium smelters and desalination plants. This article will explore the key problems these cables face in such industries and how our optical sensing technology can help address them.

Extreme Temperatures:
One of the primary challenges of using high-voltage power cables in aluminium smelters and desalination plants is the extreme temperatures in these environments. Aluminium smelters operate at incredibly high temperatures to extract aluminium from raw materials, while desalination plants use high temperatures to convert seawater into freshwater. These conditions subject the power cables to thermal stress, leading to cable degradation, insulation breakdown, and potential failures. Manufacturers address this issue using specialised high-temperature-resistant materials and employing advanced cooling techniques to maintain cable integrity.

Corrosive Atmosphere:
Both aluminium smelters and desalination plants have corrosive atmospheres due to the presence of aggressive chemicals, salts, and moisture. The corrosive elements can attack the cable's insulation and conductors, leading to a shortened lifespan and reduced performance. To combat this problem, power cable manufacturers have developed cables with robust protective sheaths and coatings that offer increased resistance to corrosion.

Mechanical Stress:
The industrial processes in these plants often involve heavy machinery and equipment that can exert mechanical stress on high-voltage power cables. Frequent movement, vibrations, and accidental impacts may lead to mechanical damage, compromising the cable's structural integrity. In mitigating this issue, lines with enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility are employed to minimise stress during installation and operation.

Electrical Interference:
Aluminium smelters and desalination plants have numerous electrical devices and equipment, creating a complex electromagnetic environment. The presence of strong magnetic fields and electrical interference can adversely affect the performance of high-voltage power cables, leading to signal distortion and potential data transmission errors. Shielding and grounding measures are employed to minimise the impact of electromagnetic interference on the cables.

Power Loss and Efficiency:
High-voltage power transmission over long distances incurs some power loss due to cable resistance. This issue becomes more pronounced in energy-intensive industries like aluminium smelters and desalination plants. Increasing the voltage to compensate for power loss is a standard solution, but it requires careful consideration of insulation capabilities and safety measures. Moreover, improving cable efficiency includes using high-conductivity materials and innovative insulation technologies.

The case for more comprehensive cable monitoring has never been clearer. While many solutions are first fit, the power sector has steadily increased its investment in optical sensing technology over the past two decades. Migrating this passive optical technology into the industrial space should be considered by smelter and desalination operators to provide better insights into MV/HV cable condition.

Within the power cable, there is embedded fibre; our sensing solution monitors the area where up to 69% of failures occur, the termination or junction points. Using the fibre as a medium and connected to our interrogator unit, we provide insights that allow earlier opportunities for maintenance intervention protecting the power generation asset and operational integrity of the plant activity.

Our breakthrough passive electrical sensor technology makes this viable by avoiding the need for power supplies, active electronics, and data networks, including cellular networks, local servers and time sources at measurement points. Thus giving a centralised and permanent measurement of voltage, phase current and sheath current. Temperature is easily achieved and correlated to early detection of water damage, sheath damage, screen damage, transients and oscillations. - all of which initiate joint or screen degradation, overheating, Partial Discharge and eventually catastrophic failure.

In the fast-paced and competitive manufacturing world, strategic planning and portfolio management are crucial in determining a company's success. The GE-McKinsey Matrix and the Boston Matrix are two popular tools that assist manufacturing businesses in making informed decisions about their product portfolios and resource allocation. Both matrices provide valuable insights, but they also come with their own set of benefits and pitfalls. Let's explore each matrix and its relevance to the manufacturing industry.

The Boston Matrix:

The Boston Matrix, also known as the Product Portfolio Matrix, was developed by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and has been used widely since the 1970s. It categorises a company's products or product lines into four quadrants:

a. Stars: These are products with high growth prospects and market share. They require significant investment to maintain their growth rate and dominance in the market.

b. Cash Cows: Cash cows have a high market share in a slow-growth market. They generate substantial cash flow, which can be reinvested in other products or used to support stars.

c. Question Marks (Problem Children): These products have high growth potential but a low market share. They require careful consideration and investment to determine whether they can become stars or should be divested from.

d. Dogs: Dogs have a low market share in a slow-growth market. They typically generate enough revenue to cover costs, and divestment is the best option unless they can be turned around.

Benefits in Manufacturing Industry:

Simplified Portfolio Analysis: The Boston Matrix simplifies complex product portfolios, making it easier for manufacturers to visualise and prioritise their products.

Resource Allocation: It helps manufacturers allocate resources effectively by highlighting products needing investment and those needing phasing out.

Strategic Decision-Making: The matrix aids in developing strategic plans for each product category based on its position, fostering better decision-making.

Pitfalls in Manufacturing Industry:

Overemphasis on Market Share: Relying solely on market share as a metric can be misleading, as it may need to represent a product's profitability or potential accurately.

Neglecting Niche Markets: The matrix might overlook smaller, niche markets that can be highly profitable in the long run.

Lack of Dynamic Analysis: The Boston Matrix provides a snapshot in time but doesn't consider changing market conditions and consumer preferences over time.

The GE-McKinsey Matrix:

The GE-McKinsey Matrix, developed by General Electric and McKinsey & Company, is a more comprehensive tool that evaluates business units or products based on two key dimensions: industry attractiveness and competitive strength. It involves nine cells in a 3x3 matrix.

Benefits in Manufacturing Industry:

Market and Competitive Analysis: The GE-McKinsey Matrix incorporates a broader range of factors, considering industry attractiveness and competitive strength, leading to a more thorough analysis.

Customisation: Manufacturers can customise the evaluation criteria to better fit their specific industry and business needs.

Future Orientation: By assessing internal and external factors, the matrix encourages a forward-looking approach, helping manufacturers prepare for future market changes.

Pitfalls in Manufacturing Industry:

Data Requirements: Implementing the GE-McKinsey Matrix necessitates gathering extensive data, which might be challenging and time-consuming for some manufacturers.

Subjective Evaluation: Scoring industry attractiveness and competitive strength involve some subjectivity, leading to potential biases in the analysis.

Complexity: The matrix's complexity may make it less accessible for smaller manufacturing companies with limited resources and expertise.

The GE-McKinsey Matrix and the Boston Matrix offer valuable insights for strategic decision-making in the manufacturing industry. While the Boston Matrix is simpler and easier to implement, the GE-McKinsey Matrix provides a more comprehensive evaluation. Manufacturers should consider their specific needs, available data, and resources before choosing the most appropriate tool. Ultimately, the effective use of these matrices can empower manufacturers to optimise their product portfolios, allocate resources wisely, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic manufacturing landscape.