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Resulting from a five-year development programme involving Nexans’ technology centres in France and Belgium, this innovative overhead line technology consists in a thermal resistant aluminium conductor wrapped around a composite carbon core. Compared with a traditional ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced) which uses steel core, the composite carbon core of the same diameter is much lighter and 50 percent stronger. Most importantly, the carbon core’s coefficient of thermal expansion is roughly one tenth of that of steel, so it expands (and ‘sags’) much less when heated by the high current flowing in the conductor, enabling the vital safety clearances to be maintained between the conductor and the ground, even at high operating temperatures.

Utilities looking for greater flexibility, reliability and single-failure tolerance for critical transmission lines now have an affordable carbon-fiber option in the new Southwire C7 Overhead Conductor. The multi-stranded composite core using advanced polymers, resins and thermoplastics from Celanese delivers increased performance and a service life in excess of 40 years.

TOSA (Trolleybus Optimisation Système Alimentation) is a zero-carbon-emission solution as the electricity used comes entirely from clean hydro power. The charging time is so quick that it does not interfere with the bus schedule and improves the urban environment and landscape as it does not need overhead lines while providing greater route flexibility. The system uses a laser-controlled moving arm, which connects to an overhead receptacle for charging at bus shelters, instead of the usual trolley poles to overhead lines.

International Conference on Overhead Lines Conference is now open for abstract and paper submission

Roundtable sessions during the conference focused on some of the emerging challenges for overhead line infrastructure including operation at higher voltages and the trend towards the replacement of AC (alternating current) lines by HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission.

The line between Jandira and Cotia is the world’s first commercial installation of Lo-Sag conductors that use a carbon fiber composite core to save weight and double capacity.

Though mostly immune to wind-related damage, undergrounding facilities are prone to flooding. Undergrounding also presents significant challenges, namely longer repair time and much higher repair costs; damage to underground facilities from Sandy reinforced that. Investor-owned utilities in North Carolina compared five years of underground and overhead reliability data and found the frequency of outages on underground systems was 50% less than for overhead systems, but the average duration of an underground outage was 58% longer.

Utilities continue to face an abundance of technical hurdles, not the least of which is the transmission and distribution infrastructure. As the demand for electricity continues to grow, so do the increasing challenges of upgrading the existing infrastructure and building new transmission circuits. As a result, utilities are looking for new and innovative ways to increase circuit capacities and maintain system reliability.

The works are being funded through a regulatory backed initiative to enhance landscapes in recognized Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks by removing electrical infrastructure like overhead lines and supporting poles. WPD has worked closely with steering groups made up with representatives from various AONBs and National Parks to identify suitable sites for consideration.

Strengthening a record number (98) of the company's main power distribution lines. Replacing thousands of distribution utility poles with stronger ones - most of them concrete - designed to withstand hurricane-force wind gusts of 130 mph or more. Installing additional smart grid technology to better detect and address power outages, and adding improved lightning protection equipment. Upgrading FPL's power transmission system. Replacing wood poles with concrete structures and upgrading associated hardware. Installing new flood monitoring systems at select power substations that are most susceptible to possible flooding and storm surge.

The patented treatment process enables any design of conductor – such as round or Aero-Z™ wires - to be produced in virtually any color.

This is the second year of a 3-year project to replace nearly 11 mi of aging overhead infrastructure in rugged terrain that is difficult to access, repair and maintain. The new underground infrastructure will increase reliability for customers from Calder, Idaho to Avery, Idaho.

RTE, France’s electricity transmission system operator (TSO), is trialing a new type of overhead power line using Nexans’ carbon fibre composite technology in Haute-Vienne, in the Limousin region.

One such segment that is growing on account of increasing infrastructure investments is high-voltage transmission cables, also known as conductors, which are used for connecting power generation sources with substations, subsequent to which electricity is distributed in cities and towns.