There are no technical or operational issues integrating Advanced Conductors such as ACCC® Conductor into traditional ACSR Conductor transmission lines. This occurs routinely on reconductoring projects where line upgrades are completed in phases over a period of time. Typically, the “change” of conductors occurs at dead-end or angle structures where each wire is terminated at an insulator, or directly at a substation.
Initially, the maximum energy the powerline will be capable of delivering will be limited to the capacity of the original ACSR conductor. However, once the line is completely upgraded the new Advanced Conductor will typically offer twice the capacity of the original line.
Efficiency benefits provided by the Advanced Conductor will be realized immediately. Advanced Conductors reduce electrical losses by approximately thirty percent compared to ACSR or other conventional conductors of the same diameter and weight. Larger, heavier, more expensive conductors can provide similar benefits, but they typically require the replacement of existing structures – which can drive up costs, construction timeframes, and permitting challenges.
While improved transmission line efficiency can help deliver more power from existing generation assets, reduce fuel consumption and associated GHG emissions, and/or improve the economic viability of renewable asset investment, it is very noteworthy that improving the efficiency of a section of a transmission line linked to others can reduce electrical stress across the overall grid. Electrons take the path of least resistance, and much like the Los Angeles freeway system, electrons (or drivers) chose the easiest path which helps reduce freeway and power grid congestion.
In 2006, American Electric Power upgraded a 14-mile section of a 132 kV transmission line swapping out ACSR conductor with ACCC Conductor. Line losses were reduced by 0.9 megawatts. The reduction in stress on the adjacent system provided another 0.2-megawatt savings for an overall savings of 1.1 megawatts.
In California, the ACCC Conductor is currently being used by Southern California Edison (SCE) to reconductor the Big Creek transmission corridor from the Sierra National Forest to Los Angeles. This project is being done in 10-to-30-mile sections. While conductor sag infractions (and fire risk reductions) are being realized along the way, ultimately the new ACCC Conductor will be able to carry twice the current of the existing system. Added capacity serves to improve grid reliability. Should an adjacent line be taken out of service for a planned or unplanned outage, the ACCC Line can safely carry the additional load.