Wooden Structure Reinforcement
Overview
Wooden structure reinforcement refers to technologies that enhance the durability and increase the lifespan of existing wooden transmission and distribution system support structures. As the average age of power system infrastructure continues to rise, these techniques are essential for maintaining system integrity. Additionally, these technologies are being increasingly utilized in disaster-prone areas to improve system resilience. Techniques vary but generally involve the use of engineered materials, such as carbon fiber and advanced polymers, to encase the existing structure, thereby enhancing its strength and resistance to environmental factors.
Benefits
Reinforcing wooden structures can help to alleviate the following grid challenges:
- Aging Infrastructure: This technology directly addresses the challenges associated with aging infrastructure by enhancing the durability and extending the lifespan of wooden support structures, which is crucial for maintaining reliability.
- Outage mitigation: While reinforced structures do not directly improve the fault detection or restoration processes can contribute to quicker restoration efforts during outages by providing reliable support, the technology.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 8
Wooden structure reinforcement technologies are generally still very new, however commercial offerings do exist with many pilot demonstrations. The availability of commercial products makes this technology a TRL 8.
Adoption Readiness Level (ARL)
Value Proposition
Delivered Cost
Medium Risk
Initial investment can be high, but long-term savings and improved performance justify the cost. As technology matures and scales, costs are expected to decrease. Investments are made on an as needed basis while considering system improvements with cost and potential future cost savings.
Functionality Performance
Low Risk
Strengthening and hardening techniques offer high functionality with proven effectiveness in enhancing grid performance. These methods have been successfully deployed in various grid environments.
Ease of Use/Complexity
Low Risk
Strengthening and hardening techniques are well-understood and can be easily integrated into existing grid infrastructure with minimal disruption to operations.
Market Acceptance
Demand Maturity/Market Openness
Low Risk
Market demand is driven by grid reliability requirements, aging infrastructure, and the need for improved resistance to extreme weather events.
Market Size
Medium Risk
The global market for grid strengthening and hardening is well-established and is driven by increasing demand for reliable and resilient infrastructure. The market size of electric towers and poles was valued at 4.8 billion in 2023. Tower hardening would account for a smaller piece of this market size. Tower hardening techniques are only employed on an as need basis
Downstream Value Chain
Low Risk
This technology is already in a deployment state and no additional capital is needed to bring various techniques to the market. Additional investment, however, could be leveraged to advance the current state of the art.
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.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Low Risk
Tower hardening already has established manufacturing processes and a well-developed supply chain.
Workforce
Low Risk
Existing workforce has the necessary skills to install, maintain, and operate strengthened and hardened structures, with ongoing training and education programs addressing any skill gaps.
License to Operate
Regulatory Environment
Low Risk
Regulatory frameworks do not impede utility’s ability to harden towers or power poles.
Policy Environment
Low Risk
Environmental Policies and initiatives do not impede utility’s ability to harden towers or power poles.
Permitting and Siting
Low Risk
Strengthening and hardening projects typically do not require any permitting or siting, as they involve upgrading existing structures with no changes to the grid layout.
Case Studies & Implementation
Dominion Energy – Gridwrap
In 2023 and 2024 Dominion Energy deployed Gridwrap’s Bullwrap technology to repair several damaged transmission structures
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