For many T&D projects, utilities, EPC’s and PUC’s often seek the lowest upfront capital cost. Higher cost projects or bids are often rejected or labeled as ‘gold plated.’ Currently in the U.S. there is a push to consider overall benefits vs lowest cost (See FERC NOPR). In Montana, new legislation requires utilities to review efficiency advantages as part of their filings. These are positive steps, but not widely embraced as utilities tend to prefer larger capital expenditures that improve their overall ROI.
Background: The ACCC® Conductor and other recently introduced Advanced Conductors are typically 2 to 3 times more expensive per foot / meter compared to conventional all aluminum or steel reinforced AAAC, ACSR, ACSS and other legacy conductors. While Advanced Conductors offer numerous benefits - and are often selected as the most technically and economically effective solution for specific projects - their improved efficiency and reduced lifecycle costs are often disregarded, as transmission line losses, for example, are generally passed through to consumers.
Discussion: For many decades utilities have selected more expensive transformers and other equipment because they offer greater benefits and lower lifecycle costs. Advanced Conductors should be evaluated in a similar fashion as the benefits they offer are profound and desperately needed to help our country build a robust and reliable grid to help reach our electrification and sustainability goals and support our country’s economic growth. Benefits of Advanced Conductors:
• Ideally suited for reconductor projects that can double the capacity of an existing corridor without structure modification or replacement which can reduce environmental impact, substantially reduce permitting challenges, and can cut project costs by 50% or more and reduce construction timeframes - which frees up human resources and equipment.
• Reduced sag improves fire safety and reduces the likelihood of sag-trip power outages (the major east coast blackout of 2003 was caused by excessive conductor sag after telemetry and other devices failed).
• Deployed on new lines, Advanced Conductors that offer greater strength (310-375 ksi vs 210-285 ksi for steel), coupled with reduced sag (coefficient of thermal expansion is ten times less than steel), enable longer spans on fewer and/or lower structures (with smaller foundations) to lower overall project costs, visual and environmental impact, and construction timeframes.
• The ACCC Conductor’s composite core is 70% lighter than steel which allows the incorporation of ~30% more conductive aluminum without a weight or diameter penalty. The added aluminum content reduces line losses by 25 to 40% or more.
• Reduced line losses can reduce fuel consumption and associated GHG / CO2 emissions while freeing up generation capacity otherwise wasted. This can also improve the economic viability of new renewable generation assets and lower consumer costs while helping utilities and society reach sustainability goals.
When these and other factors are considered, the slightly higher upfront cost is quickly offset, and benefits can be realized for decades – greatly overshadowing the minimal added upfront cost. Do consumers still purchase incandescent light bulbs which waste energy and need to be replaced frequently rather than pay a premium for energy-efficient long lasting LED bulbs? Not so much anymore. It is noteworthy that the cost of the conductor is generally a fraction of overall project cost, so while Advanced Conductors are more expensive on a per foot / meter basis, the overall project cost is only elevated by a relatively small percentage.
Facts / Data / Examples: In 2016, Southern California Edison (SCE) had capacity constraints on their Big Creek Transmission Corridor that resulted in load shedding and sag infractions. The Big Creek transmission corridor connects Los Angeles with several hydro generation facilities in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range about 200 miles north of Los Angeles. The line also supports other communities along its path. To mitigate load shedding SCE submitted a proposal the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) requesting approval to rebuild their corridor at an estimated cost of ~$85 million dollars. The PUC, who was aware of the ACCC Conductor, suggested that SCE consider reconductoring with an Advanced Conductor. SCE resubmitted their application with an ACCC Reconductoring option, and the project was immediately approved, at a fraction of the initially proposed cost. This project supported SCE’s intent, delivered the desired outcome by increasing line capacity from 936 to 1520 peak amps, mitigated all sag infractions, and saved themselves and ratepayers substantial time and money.
Using the ACCC Conductor has helped SCE increase the capacity of 27 transmission lines in Southern California, mitigate sag infractions, access cleaner sources of generation, and move them several steps closer to meeting their 2045 sustainability goals - all at a very modest cost.
Offering an international view: The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh – funded by the Asian Development bank and other IDBs, selected the ACCC Conductor for more than 50 new and reconductor transmission projects to efficiently accommodate growing demand and curtail CO2 emissions by reducing line losses (see example) PGCB and its funders are leveraging the Advanced Conductor technology to grow their economy and support their sustainability goals. Currently there are more than 1,250 additional ACCC Projects that are all leveraging the technology - after considering several other options.
Conclusion: Though Advanced Conductors are more expensive than conventional steel reinforced conductors on a per foot/meter basis, their ability to improve the efficiency, capacity, reliability, and resilience of new and existing transmission corridors – while supporting economic development, electrification and sustainability, must be considered as thoroughly as consumers consider LED and incandescent light bulbs. In the words of Secretary Jennifer Granholm “Modern challenges demand modern solutions.”
Key Takeaways:
• Total Cost vs. Upfront Expense: While ACCC® Conductors may seem more expensive initially, their overall benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced lifecycle costs, and improved grid reliability, often outweigh the higher upfront cost.
• Efficiency and Lifecycle Savings: Advanced Conductors offer significant efficiency improvements, reducing line losses by 25 to 40% or more. These savings translate into reduced fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and improved economic viability for renewable energy projects.
• Environmental and Safety Benefits: ACCC® Conductors contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing visual and environmental impact. Additionally, their reduced sag improves fire safety and decreases the risk of power outages caused by sag-related incidents.
• Project Efficiency and Timeframes: Deploying ACCC® Conductors can expedite project timelines and cut costs by up to 50% or more. Their suitability for reconductor projects allows for increased capacity without the need for extensive structure modifications, reducing permitting challenges and environmental impact.
• Utility and Economic Impact: Utilities stand to benefit from ACCC® Conductors through increased capacity, reduced sag infractions, and access to cleaner energy sources. Projects like those undertaken by Southern California Edison demonstrate how adopting Advanced Conductors can save utilities and ratepayers substantial time and money.
• International Adoption and Economic Growth: The international adoption of ACCC® Conductors, as seen in projects by the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, highlights their role in supporting economic development and sustainability goals worldwide. Leveraging Advanced Conductor technology can efficiently accommodate growing energy demand while curbing CO2 emissions.
In summary, while ACCC® Conductors may have a higher initial cost, their long-term benefits in terms of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability make them a worthy investment for modernizing transmission infrastructure and achieving broader societal goals.