Advanced Conductors
Overview
Advanced conductors are overhead conductor technologies designed to provide higher ampacity than traditional Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) conductors. By incorporating components such as composite cores, high-temperature alloys, and trapezoidal wires, these conductors achieve improved power transfer, reduced line losses, and lower sag under high temperatures. Additionally, advanced conductors can be a low cost option for increasing grid capacity, when compared to alternatives like voltage uprating or full rebuilds.
Benefits
Advanced conductors are most capable of addressing the following issues:
- Grid Congestion: Advanced conductors provide higher ampacity and efficiency, which can help alleviate grid congestion by allowing more power to be transmitted along existing lines without the need for additional infrastructure.
- Rising Peak Demand: By enabling higher power transfer and reducing line losses, advanced conductors can help accommodate rising peak demand. Their enhanced performance allows the grid to manage increased loads more effectively, reducing the strain on existing infrastructure and helping to prevent outages during peak usage times.
- Aging Infrastructure: Advanced conductors can be retrofitted onto existing transmission structures, providing a cost-effective way to upgrade the capacity and efficiency of aging infrastructure. This enables utilities to extend the lifespan of their existing assets while improving performance without the need for extensive replacements.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 9
A broad range of commercial offerings exist for advanced conductors. This wide level of deployment shows that the technology has reached TRL 9 for the most popular products, however newer examples may still be at lower levels.
Adoption Readiness Level (ARL)
Value Proposition
Delivered Cost
Low Risk
Advanced conductors could double the cost of conventional lines but can cut project costs by 50% or more.
The higher upfront cost is quickly offset when other factors are considered
- Benefits can be realized for decades
Functionality Performance
Low Risk
The enhanced performance of advanced conductors (higher capacity, reduced losses, and less sag) is well-documented and proven in operational contexts.
Advanced conductors can quadruple new transmission capacity compared to traditional conductors.
Ease of Use/Complexity
Low Risk
Some advanced conductors, like ACCC (All-Aluminum Composite Conductor), may require trained crews and specific tools for installation due to their composite core.
However, others, like AECC (Aluminum Encapsulated Carbon Core) conductors, can be installed with existing tools and techniques.
Deployment may require some training for workers to apply or integrate the new conductors, especially if new equipment or techniques are needed.
Market Acceptance
Demand Maturity/Market Openness
LowRisk
2023 report by Idaho National Laboratory said 20% of grid could benefit from advanced conductoring.
Electricity demand is increasing through electrification and emerging industries like data centers. Advanced conductoring could be a solution to meet higher electricity demands.
Market Size
Low Risk
Grid modernization trends and renewable integration goals ensure a significant and expanding market for advanced conductors.
The technology is oriented to the existing electrical grid infrastructure and can be adopted across geographies.
117,510 miles of existing transmission lines would benefit from reconductoring with advanced conductors according to an Idaho National Laboratory study.
Downstream Value Chain
Low Risk
There are multiple manufacturers of advanced conductors located around the United States.
- It appears that companies offering advanced conductors are mature and have established operating practices.
Resource Maturity
Capital Flow
Low Risk
Reconductoring projects are attractive to utilities because they can often categorize them as maintenance expenditures which allows them to bypass the normal capex process.
- The added value of these projects through increased transmission creates additional security for investors.
Project Development, Integration, and Management
Low Risk
Conductoring is not a new process. Vendors can provide training for proper installation as needed.
Infrastructure
Low Risk
Advanced conductors utilize existing infrastructure effectively, minimizing the need for extensive new construction.
Existing transmission infrastructure can support deployment with no significant modifications, aligning with current grid systems.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Medium Risk
Some of the materials required to manufacture advanced conductors are sourced outside the U.S. Although this creates added costs due to possible tariffs it is likely not any different from a baseline comparison to older conductor technology.
- An Idaho National Laboratory report indicated some input materials have a high probability of disruptions.
Materials Sourcing
Medium Risk
Materials include aluminum and composites. Sourcing these materials is common and would not face burdens that are not already common in the industry.
- Trade policy could create supply chain disruption risk.
Workforce
Low Risk
Workforce readiness is not a major barrier, with current skills largely transferrable to advanced conductor installations.
The existing electrical workforce would require only brief additional training for this new technology.
License to Operate
Regulatory Environment
Low Risk
Current planning and reliability standards need updating to incentivize the use of advanced conductors.
Compliance with existing standards may require minor adjustments, but new materials may require more time to get the approvals. Currently, only a few regulations directly address conductor selection.
Policy Environment
Low Risk
DOE policies support grid modernization, and advanced conductors could be favored given that they avoid traditional challenges of new transmission investments projects.
Although policy-based incentives could speed up adoption of advanced conductors, there is also motivation due to the increased performance of this technology. The US energy policy stance on energy dominance may result in faster adoption.
Permitting and Siting
Low Risk
Permitting for utility upgrades is time-consuming but manageable.
Repetition may be needed to streamline the processes, relative to other technologies, it does not present a significant challenge.
Environmental & Safety
Low Risk
Advanced conductors pose minimal environmental and safety risks, with benefits such as fire hazard reduction and decarbonization contributions.
These new coatings reduce energy losses and have manageable safety risks such as non-toxic materials.
Community Perception
Low Risk
Communities would likely not be aware of reconductoring unless it imposes on their everyday activities.
New transmission lines may face community backlash by landowners within proximity.
- These community issues are not any different than what was faced by older conductor technology.
Case Studies & Implementation
American Electric Power (AEP) – ACCC
American Electric Power (AEP) completed an energized reconductoring project in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas to enhance the reliability of electricity delivery amid increasing demand. The project involved upgrading the existing 240-mile transmission lines without interrupting service and was completed eight months ahead of schedule. AEP partnered with Quanta Services to employ live-line work techniques, including the use of the LineMaster Robotic Arm and advanced aluminum conductor composite core (ACCC) conductors. This approach allowed for the replacement of conductors while minimizing landowner disruptions and costs associated with traditional construction methods. The completion of the project positions AEP to address the growing electricity needs of the LRGV community for the future.
Key Takeaways:
- Material Efficiency: The decision to use ACCC conductors improved line efficiency without requiring additional structural modifications or widening clearances.
- Reduced Sag and Increased Capacity: The ACCC conductor allowed for reduced sag and enhanced load-bearing capacity, making it possible to handle future increases in demand while maintaining operational reliability.
- Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure: The ability to install ACCC conductors using existing structures minimized disruptions and negated the need for costly land acquisitions or significant infrastructure changes.
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